Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1877-12-12

ava every god work and all public improve
inents. But n rumseller il rutnseiier, and these
respectable dealers are responsible for the
e'ii IN It's grossest forms They sell TO the grog-
shopsi ana these small dealers are for the most
part Ignorant, while the wholesale dealers are in
telligent have position in business circles. and
yet throw all their influence on the side OF rum
selling. For whom shall we apologize 4? For the
retail dealer II for any the wholesale dealer does
violence to his position and education From
him to whom much has been given shall much
be required" Third the reason for the DELAY
OF progress is TO be found also in those who are
negatively engaged-those who would scorn to he
classed among liquor dealers-those who profit
by the traffic indirectly. Among this class are
the men who rent property for liquor-selling pur-
poses. While this continues progress must be
stayed. Weak men are more harmful than the
wicked men So long as one is Indifferent he
sides with the enemy. The chief obstacles, then
are confined to the betterportion OF society These
men must be moved before the work can progress
rapdy-they must use their influence in support
OF the cause, Such stumbling blocks must be re-
moved from before the friends Of the cause, and
then the progress will be more apparent
At CHRIST CHURCH,
Rev Dr. Hull devoted the time for the regular
sermon to a brief discourse on Temperance. He
said he had joined the first temperance society lie
ever heard Of, and had devoted much time in his
younger days to lecturing on this subject It is
the part Of charity to avoid harsh judgments In
| this matter. Severe reproaches seldom reclaim
| those who have fallen Good men have under
taken to make example of intemperance
When they have removed this evil they may have
so learned to work together a. to ass3,il other
| evils. The temperance workers should not be dis
| couraged. Great evils are only essened, and still
the disciples Of Christ are not dsheartened, but
go ON with their efforts. While many do not
| yield to the arguments Of temperance, there are
| many who do Extreme methods do injury to
the cause In connection with this work there Is
reaction in most hearts against religion; but it
Is wise not to awaken this reaction Speaking of
the reason for intemperauce becoming such a
monster in the land he referred to the customs of
the early days when liquor was used so freely
and said ntemperance was unreasonable as n
vice and unyielding rs an enemy. In the early
days of our own country liquor was deemed ex-
pedicnt- it was thought to be necessary for those
who tOiled in certain places. The habit continued
until it grew into intenperance. Prudent men
| and women realized the danger, put away their
decanters, and n reformation was begun. Ten.
perance on the whole is a success It has had its
struggles and 1t has become n power among the
efforts to redeem men. lie did not approve OF
extreme notions rs to total abstinence and rice
rcISd; the middle ground seems to be the place
where these extremes meet and harmunize II l.
a question whether incompetence can be wholly
removed by total abstinence. 1t is not just tc
| II De(sitise re tp Is