The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-04-11
MURPHY MOVEMENT IN BOLIVAR.
The People Moving for Temperance Re
form.
Able and Earnest Appeals.

Able and Earnest Appeals.
The Murphy temperance movement in
auguratcd last week by a few citizens is
now well under way. Those native and
eloquent rcformers, Rev. w. II. Bruton and
Hon. Lawrence Talbot, ex-Mayor OF Jack
son, were present to arouse our people to the
importance OF this work. Tuesday night
of last week the ball opened at the Meth
odist church. Lawrence Talbot first spoke.
He presented himself living Representa-
ton of what temperance had effected III the
moral and physical reformation OF human
being. 4 few short months since he was
leader among Jackson'a most noted drunken
debauchccs. lIubitual drinking had thrown
around his being its strongest spell, and
urged by the demon he had gone from mod
crate to immodcrate tipping until arrested
bv an unseen hand while standing on the
verge of hopeless ruin. The Murphy move
mcnt in Jackson startled him to the con
sciousncss of the fate awaiting him as a
confirmed drunkard. lie aroused himself
to the danger ahead, and assisted by Him
whe never fails to hear poor humanity
when il pleads for help, he resolved to re-
nounce forever the cup and give the strength
Of his future life to the cause OF temper
ancc. He stood before the audience to en-
treat Young men and old to forsake the fas
cination of the sparkling bowl and become
co-workers in the cause OF temperance. Mr..
Talbot being so well and favorably known
by our people, his remarks produced =
marked sensation in the audience. He was
followed by Rev. Mr.. Bruton, who, like Mr.
Talbot had tasted the bitter waters OF
strong drink. The adder had bitten him
too. and he told the moderate drinker and
the drumkard that he came to sympathize
aud reason with them-lI0t TO ccnsure and
abuse-"with malice toward none, with
charity for all" lie gave 4 graphic and
thrilling description OF The manner in which
intcmpcrance had stolen upon him and
finally wac near robbing him of life itself
Character, friends and worldly prospects
had all forsallcn him, and as pitiable
drunken wandcrcr he roamed hjthcr and
thither, from city 10 city, until an angel of
II woman reached down in the gutter, pulled
him out Of the gloom and unhappiness that
surrounded his way, and warmed his heart
with hope for the future. Her sympathetic
hand stcadied his steps and delivered him
out of the clutches of drink, and at her
shrine. as wife he now humhly bows in
humble but changoless love. At the close
Of his stirring address, and while Rev. n.
X. Smith led in singing, large number
game forward and signed the pledge. That
night about fifty joined.
Each afternoon n prayer-mceting was
held. and at night a temperance rally; the
church being crowded on each occasion.
Monday and Friday nights the gifted
speakers specially labored to impress the
pcoplc with the fact that moral suasion
alone was the true weapon TO use in fighting
King alcohol. Persuade the dran-drinker,
and when YOU destroy The demand YOU
force tie saIoon-keeper to break up his
business for the want of custom. Not
word has been uttered to wound the feel
Inrs OF even the most sensitive. Among
,hcmost attentive listeners on these occa-
lens were our saloon-kcepers. They seemed
20 eniov the meetings. The fact IS they
q. a - all GOOD citizens, and are anxious to
e;,,,;E;fx and better society, but being ia the
I mes. as professional saloon-keepers' they
think they must ply that business for a
.ai,.ing, Il il TO be hoped however that they
-. :, persuaded teeehauge 3hcirppoteFo;on,
!, "a NM not be m occasion of!otienre 10
'.; any weak brother, 500, -'''.
cFbese ulectingF have increased in7fniere-'
= .ov,r,l HUNDRED of our citizens h;''e
-. a. ,l,e moyenept Lo~t Sunday 1ne
m5.g-md5ttiug wil 4 %atcass anu IA F'''f'-'