The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1877-07-28
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
THIS COLUMN Is OPEN TO ALL,
For The Cecil Wing.
Temperance Reform in Port Deposit.

hCLOI III Oit DtpVSlts
Mr.. ignem's DenU-His Successful Reform
Ld6ors in Port Deposu-Induerenc 0,
the Church tn The Temperance Work-An
Eremplary Past0r-Fdstidious Christians
on Tent Neetings-A .Sehool Commassion,
er's Opinion Of Temperance Pledqes =
Working and Non Working Church Mem
bers-A Prayer for the Success of TEN
rerance
MR.. EDIToR:-The truism that sin the
: midst of life we are in DEATH was pain
fully brought home to even the most
thoughtless of this community by the sad
accident that SO suddenly terminated the
joyous and useful life of the young and
gifted temperance reformer Agnew For
several weeks previous he had been sue
cessfully laboring in this town to hold up
to public view the demoralizing, blasting
and damning effects of the traffic in rum.
and warn the uninitiated of the dang, of
taking the first glass, and especially to win
the Incorporate from their drinking habits
and point them to God us their only hope
and sufficient strength to enable them to
resist the appetite for strong drink. Why
he was thus stricken down in the bloom of
youth, health and usefulness, is known only
Mr.. Agnew was no adventurer, no ped
der of reformed drunkards' wares. for the
paltry pittance of a few pence. No dema.
gogue, seeking to make capital for politi-
cal party and pandering to the preiudices
OF class of politicians who seek to recruit
their voters from the purlieus of rum mills
But gentleman of influential and highly
respectable family. Having himself fallen
victim to the wine cup and felt the woe
that aifiicts him who follows strong drink,
and having by the blessing of God been
lifted up out of this horrible pit and deliv.
cred from this great sorrow, gratefully re-
solved to spend the remainder of his life in
efforts to 8 Rescue the Pershing.''
Such being the case, the inquiry has
forced itself upon many in this community,
How was it that SO many Of the officials
| (and other members of the churches stood
aloof from this movement? Some even
hindered the work, by cold and cruel criti-
cisms, not unfrequently indulging in un-
kind and sarcastic remarks in the presence
and hearing of young men who had fallen
into temptation and were making efforts to
regain strength, to resist their appetites for
strong drink and by Gods grace get upon
| a platform of higher manhood
The NJ. f. Church of this town, having
officially resolved it "impolitic to open
the church for temperance meetings, has
placed itself in at least doubtful attitude
on this moral question. The NJ. E. Church
of Port Deposit may properly be styled the
Pioneer of Temperance Reform in Cecil
county. few years ago euery official mem
Der of this church was an actice ,c0rker in
every movement mo matter under what
name Or organization) that had for its
object the saving of men from drunkenness
| 50 How haya tho p,irl,tv f,1lanr,
new, in his labors here, was not sustained,
encouraged and assisted by more than one
third of the official members, although the
Pastor-the Rev. Mr.. Riggs-and his most
estimable wife and her sister and niece, to
their praise be it spoken, gave Mr.. Agnew
their most earnest and cody support, al
though assisted at the meetings by mere
handful of his official members. But those
few are a host in themselves" good men
and true" whose names l should like to
record, but that they will be readily recog-
nzed by your readers here. AS it was
''impolitic" to open the church, or churches
for Mr.. Agnew's meetings, some other
place had to be provided. The halls were
either too expensive, or not suitable, so
Mr.. Agnew resorted to the primitive taber-
nacle. This subjected some church officials
to damaging criticisms. Even some of the
III CdUUdIll SCuUOl GuOuguU
there was an Inconsistency on the part of
their teachers making long prayers and
loud professions and turning cold should
erS to these tent meetings. That boy who
said Z" men ought to shoot as they pray
uttered a truth that should remind some
church members that actions speak louder
than prayers. But this is an age Of pro-
gress, and now when we have so many fine
churches, tabernacles ION the river shore)
are not quite respectable places for sAoddy
aristocracy. The people who attend such
meetings--in such places-are, in the est-
nation of the fastidious, "too much mixed
up" and those who conduct these outdoor
meetings locer their dignity. Spirit of
Luther Calvin and Wesley "Lreathe on
these (aristocratic) dry bones that they may
live.''
Mr.. Editor, public school education is
attracting more attention in this country
now than at any former period of our his
tory, and all concur in the advantage of
| rearing the children to habits of morality,
sobriety and industry. What then shall be
thought of a Commissioner of our Public
Schools who publicly asserted that he would
Hog his son, if he were to sign temperance
| pledge" Is it not = pity that some large
heads contain SO little brains? Parents
see to it that you do not select nihcomp0ops
as guardians for the education of your
children. If you would have care for
their morals, rs well as for their intellects,
be careful that You do not place in official
educational positions, men known as spot
house politicians, who trim their sails to
catch rum breezes' on election days.
There is another class of trimmers that
have only time to give passing notice
One incident may suffice on this head
During Mr.. Agnew's illness it was learned
that he was of a wealthy and first. class :"
family. Many who had stood afar off DUR
ing his meetings now became deeply inter
ested in him, and called on him at Mr.
Riggs. One of these sand to Mr.. Agnew,
"we are praying for you," to which he
replied, 81 thank you. | wish you had
done that before. Ny work is now done"
Yes, it was done; and the Master said,
"well done, good and faithful servant
So, fresh from the scene of his tented
labors on the banks of the Susquehanna,
he passed to the enjoyment of his reward
in the house not made of hands, on the
banks of the River of Life" Sampson
by his death destroyed more enemies than
in his life time. May not Mr.. Agnew's
death be the providential occasion of saving
more souls than his labors in his life time
But, Mr.. Editor, would not have your
readers to infer that the people of Port
Deposit, AS body, are opposed to temper.
ance. Far from it. We have men and
women who always and everywhere stand
up for Jesus" and heartily cooperate in
all movements made for the promotion of
temperance, morality and religion. These
nobly cXerted themselves in the late move
ment, and the contrast between the work
ing and non working church members was
very marked and decided. They have their
reward in good conscience, the grateful
affection of the reclaimed, and the approval
of heaven.
Mr.. Editor, l feel especially interested in
those young men who had taken passage on
the dozen grade road of dram drinking. l
am glad they have needed the signal of
danger and have abandoned that train
Let me say to such, in your efforts to
retrace your steps, don't rely on yourself.
"Let him that thinketh he standeth take
heed lest that he fall" Look to God, lean
on Him for strength, and when you are
required to pass places where liquor is sold,
pray nightly that you may be delivered
from temptation. Fear God rather than
| man The Spnas nd iaorS Of man ba, bo,