The Newtown bee., 1878-03-28
WEARINGoF THE BLUE.

The great temperance wave which has visited
 other places in this state will doubtless affect 'tais town also, in a measure. As yet there has
 been no organized effort to start the work here
 h the manner and form which has been sue
 ssssfully carried on in Bridgeport, New Milford,
 panbury and Bethel. However, before the
 week ends something will be done, (if not act.
 ualiy accomplished by the time our paper ap-
 pears) and there may be looked for with inter-
 est grand temperance rally. The Murphy movement has been the means of enlisting men
 in the cause of temperance who for years have resisted all other appeals, There is potent
 power in the thrilling history of an intelligent
 psformed drunkard. Murphy told of his won 'derful redemption from the power Of rum, in
 several towns in this county, and it has influ-
 enced hundreds. Rev. Mir. Pogson. of Bridge
 port, is another reformed man, and those who have heard him, say that he Is equal, if not su,
 perior to John B, Cough. Rev. Mir. Pogson de-
 livered fine lecture in Bethel, last Thursday
 hight to aerowded house. He will speak to-
 night in Bethel. H'.' 'i- "''' 2
 Wsses upon our streets several young men
 wearing the blue ribbon, and when the temper
 anes workers confluence in our town there will De msny more added to the army wearing this hadge. A very remarkable fact exhibits it. seh in the power of this present temperance re. yiral, and it is the work accomplished by 1t on alose who heretofore have turned deaf ear to
 thepfeadhgs of father mother, wife, and friends
 The voice of the man of God, the blessed inau.
 enoe of the church, and even the terrors Of the
 law Of the State, have beet pdwerless to enlist
 Faese men on the side of right, snd while ear nest temperance people, Christian mon and
 women. have watched, and prayed, for q glor- lous redemption from the curse of rum, and its debadng influence '5n society, the drunkafd
 soerned to grow worse, But the redemption Is near at hand; the grand army oftemperance is marching on, crushing out the desaon of intem. peranee. and those once under Its baneful in tiuenoo are rejoicing at Its downfall. From our exchanges we find that there is
 some indifference If not opposition) to this movement, by good men. ministers, and mem- bers of churches, who, when answering for themselves, Say that it is tho office of the church to' do suth work And that those who are in the preseat movement 4are working outstde of roliglnh. In other words. there is a fear that hls teEpsranee fever ignores the saving ihtiu- ue6 and power of the church. We should al ways sespect lhe honest difference of opinions of others ,and shall not attempt to dispute or de- ny to the church her holy mission, nor dispar- age her usefulness Yet there is a view of this question Chat ought to be seriously considered, and we think 1t of importance enough to here state 1t. We hold that if Murphy or any other Ensn, whether in the church or not; whether haint OF sinner, can succeed in dragging from the gutter q adrunkard, and reform him, that so. ptsty. law aud good government, are the gain, srs. and If these reformed men, (snd there arc hundreds in this county to,day,) remain true to their pled-e, though they never enter B church, still. the towns, the neighDorhoods, and the fam: thes in which these men live, are partakers of she change, and positive gainers by the reform. ation. The state, the town, the family, and the church, are all interested in this movementand | osoht by all honorable, consistent means, en- | courage men to noble, useful lives. The main | object is to get men to become sober and ex. | perienoe has taught the whole state the valua. | bic lesson, that to impress man favorably in | any matter, the man must be in condition to | reason. The drunken man cannot reason. | such being cannot, according to Gods word, Ever enter the kingdom of heaven. He ought not-to be Allowed in the church. The hope of | The church, and of the state, is in having its membership and citizens sober, upright. 1.-the state reaps the fruits Of this movement first let sii good citizens and christians rejoice. The church can, and will do much good and gather of these many into her fold ,'''.