Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-05-31
AIbuTgh.
THE TEMPERANCE MOMENTUM. NAxwELL's
LABORS


LABORS.
Mr.. Maxwell commenced his abOrs with
US. Thursday evening, May 23i. and re-
manned here until the following Monday
morning. During that time he delivered
five addresses. two at Alburgh Centre, two
at Alburgh Springs, and one at Sowles's
Crossing. The last address was delivered
in the Nj. E. church at Alburgh Centre. to
a crowded house, producing the liveliest en-
thusiasm for the temperance cause among
all classes As many as three hundred and
fifty have signed the pledge, and put on the
ribbon OF blue, many of these having never
before taken the pledge. and some Of them
already far along IN the dreadful path that
ends in the drunkard's grave. Mr.. Max
well came to this place by invitation Of the
Woman's Temperance Union, formed hero
passed through desperate struggle for ex-
Istence itself, under strange combina-
ton of circumstances. There have been
times when but for the courage and firm
ness of its president. Mrs. p. NJ. Kinsman,
the organization would have gone TO pieces.
But having made some progress under the
greatest dI-c0ursgements. the inspiration
given by the labors of Mr.. Maxwell indicates
that the day of small things is passed, and
the day of prosperity has already come.
Such general awakening, upon this sub
iect, was never known IN this place. Al
though Alburg b has been a very sober town
| for many years, and IL has been very diff
cult il not impossible to buy liquor in any
public place. there have been places just
over the Canada line, where it could be
hnnDht and ha If aitar md ~,
wines has done a very mischievOus work
with many of our young men. 1t is, there
fore. most gratifying truth to record
that there Is promise that much OF this mis-
chief IL now to be undone, and recruits for
the harvest OF death, under the rum fend
are to be enlisted here no more.
Mr.. Maxwell is marvel OF enthu-
siasm and power in his fervia speeches.
The people seem, for the most part,
unable to resist his appeals to
| give their names and influence to
tho canse no advocates. We may not be
all agreed with respect to tho secret of his
success in winning men. 1t is most GER
tainly not the attractive grace of action,
nor the captivating rhetoric Of the cultiva-
ted orator. And a. it will add only one
more to the speculative theories of the times
| am impelled u put in language my own
impressions concerning his power. 1t seems
to ms that his power lies in the back
ground OF his awful experience, running
through thirty years of the most wretch
cd dissipation and degradation. lie
| gives his audiences. now and then,
through the medium Of his own
sufferings, such views a. are seldom
seen OF lone wilderness wonderings, in a
desert whose springs are fountains of liquid
fire whose inhabitants are seductive and
mocking devils; whose pleasures are in
ereasing tormonts, and whose boosted
liberty is bus the maddened cry Of appetite
for rum. These views are literal copies of
real scenes in the drunkard's life, and every
| one wishes to escape from snch experiences.
Mr.. Maxwell will speak again, in this
| place. on his return from Montpelier to
Emira, N. Y his houe, in two or three
weeks n W. W.