Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1877-02-26

began his address. 1t was simple,
straightforward history of his own ex.
perience as a drinking man, and re-
formed man. In it he pictured the evils
which he had suffered, gave some stats
tics bearing upon the general subject of
rum-drinking, avowed his belief that
total abstinence was the only safe plat
form, disclaimed any purposes to make
political capital out of this temperance
movement, and closed by urging all to
come to the front in successfully execut-
ing the plans he had suggested. At the
close of his address notice was given by
Mr.. Pratt that he desired to organize a
temperance reform club at that time.
Accordingly pledges were circulated and
about forty names obtained, after which
the society was duly organized by the
election of officers. We speak of nation
born in day. This club was born in
a night-fttingly born at that hour,
since its work is in opposition to those
nightly influences, which when men are
slumbering sow the tares of evil aye, fit
fittingly then since it was to be the light
of temperance reform, shining in the
darkest places where hope and Joy had
well nigh forever fled. As for member
ship the record is encouraging. At least
we number one hundred and eighty. 1t
would be, of course, impossible to sup
pose that all would remain faithful to
their vows. but to the best of my knowl-
edge no pledge has been broken. To-
night we know we do but speak the SEN
timent of this club when we say, if
there are any who have erred during
these months past and desire to return,
come back, come back tonight, and this
club will welcome you with thanksgiving
and surround you with their watchful-
ness and their most loving care. Never
has the pledge been circulated without
obtaining some new signatures. The
club is growing to-day with undated
life. The great mathematician, Arago,
declares that the secret of his success
lay in finding by himself upon a scrap
OF paper a sentence written by learned
man to his student, disheartened like
himself, and the words we're these, go
on, 60 on, the difficulties you meet will
resolve themselves as you advance. Pro-
coed, and light will dawn and shine with
increasing light and clearness on your
path" So it has been with this club.
God has brought it from its origin to it's
present dimensions and power; through
diversity of sentiment in minor things,
and brought it as a unit upon the plat
form OF reform. Light has dawned and
shOne with increasing clearness upon its
pathway in the glorious history of its
three months experience. We are thus
brought logically and naturally to our
closing thought, viz: The prosperity of
this Reform Club. The past and present
principles and methods of this club en-
sures its prosperity. When this club
first had an existence it was considered
by many as doomed to a short life.
Permanancy, perpetuity, these ideas
were considered the dreamy emanations
of q visionary enthusiast. Like the
prophecy of the late Secretary Seward
concerning the late rebellion, thirty an56
were thought to be mY9lFEee i've. A founder
coula l.s said writer, when he has cast
/ bell does not at once fix it in the steeple.
but first tries it with his hammer, to see
if there be any flaws. So this club has
been for three months the bell, or the
anvil rather, upon which has descended
the heavy blows from many quarters,
and it has proved itself to be of the
right metal. 1t has been tried, hence
we say its perpetuity is most probable.
If our present lives are true, honest,
manly lives, then our future will natur-
ally and presumably be true, honest,
manly. No step falls, however nOiseless-
ly, that does not speed on wavering
sounds beyond. No utterance of ours,
in the home or on the street, that does
not circle its ringlets of influence around
our own hearts, and about the lives of
associates and friends. We feel justified
in associating the idea of permanancy
with this club God has favored our
organization God has guided our pur.
poses and plans; God has been the
mighty, the infinite leader of our hosts
YOU have felt it; you have known it
YOU have acted upon this principle, anC
acting thus, you have not labored fol
personal ends and aims, but for the sal
walton of yourselves and others. Yo1
have reached down to lift your brothe
up. Tonight, therefore, looking bacl
over the past, we expect the same sup
port for this club for time to come, ant
= hence we believe in its perpetuity. W
expect that the pulpit and the pews vii
be vigilant. prayerful, wise. We expec
f that the private citizen will illustrat
I the principles of temperance by his praC
v teal example, that he will frown nc
only upon the rum-shOps and rum seller'
v but that he will plant himself immovs
I bly, upon the platform of total abstinence
q and dare, even in the highest soci;
!. circles, to refuse to touch or taste tt
n social glass. Members and friends
! this reform club, have already detaine
e you too long, but to-day the times al
70 demanding the advance of this reforr
m Even now the ropes, the cordage is fxt
10 to move this column, yet one step NOR
II and give space for the completion
o that structure which this community d
n. mands. Let US, then, as we see Il
ce column endangered by indifference, ne
as leet, or personal indulgence, shout
ee did the old mariner, water, the pu
mt water of total abstinence, and univers
of temperance upon the ropes.
ne CRAFT'SBURY
he
Amasa Scott, of Craftsbury, has do
-es big thing in the butter line. Fro
N one native cow he has made, during
nd past year, six hundred and forty-fo