The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1878-07-25
AN ESSAY.

Read July 18th before the GAINESVILLE
Christian Temperance Union, by Miss
ELLA MITCHELL, and published by re-
quest of the society.
After my respects and compliments, I APP
pear before you as a representative of the
female sex in behalf of temperance Should
I prove, as I aPprehend, unable to advance
anything deserving your attention, shall
not attempt to supply the deficiency Dy rhe-
torieal garlands. Temperance; what a
Eo-d. This is 4 subject of great import
ance, subject on which great deal can be
said, in few or many words, for this is the
main spring to start and keep in motion
everything; without this nothing good or
great can be done It leads mans moral
and religious course through life; it points
him to a higher and holier sphere
than this If he will only start with tenn
Per2ace as fixed purpose through life, and
Will carry it out, let come what may, I'M
daunted, firm and true to the cause, the
time ,rlA come when he will not regret it.
Temperance should be written in the heart
of every parent. If it were possible fer me
to is6uence every one in the land, I would
strive to impress upon their minds the i'm
pOrta7ce of teaching children temperance.
We all know from observation how much
this good cause is doing. Some of our
best and strongest-minded men are going
from place to place, advocating this great
work They have brought peace and hap
piness, to the hearts of many desolate
homes, and their good deeds are spreading
tidings of victory all over our land; and it
viii still dawn upon the nineteenth century
IS pure and brilliant as the diamond source
from which it emanated. Shine on, shine
on; bright star of Murphyism, entranced
with wonder and admiration, Thy glory shall
never retract less, until thou hast bestowed
upon man the crowning excellence of tenn
perance. l would now urge ysu, parents to
set the example for your children, for how
many aged fathers are bowed with shame
and sorrow at the destruction of their sons,
caused by the evils of intemperance. Look
at the mother and wife whs spend SO many
sleepless nights, expecting the son or hus-
band to be brought home wounded or killed,
caused from intozi eating drink, and If these
should not be realized, and he should
come home in the morning with guilt and
drunkenness written on his Countenance
and harsh words falling from his tongue,
he is unfit for the enjoyment Of home
where love and harmony were wont to
dwell. It robs him of the man, constitutes
q hx--u y,y-H o,,I II HI
him down to a drunkard's grave, there to
wait the death-knell Of his soul, "Depart
from me, We cursed; We knew your duty, but
We did it not" Friends, this is no fancy
sketch delivered in the delerium Of excite
ment Would TO heaven it were. II there
is single individual present who is in the
habit of drinking, let me besecch him to
pause and reflect: TO dash far from him the
fatal cup, instrumental in producing such
consUmmate wretchedness, beth 70 himself
and family. Then SOW the seeds of temper
anee in the hearts of your children, and in
after years when time has separated them,
they will bless you for your counsels and
treasure your precepts Now, Young men,
use the opportunities you have and take the
temperance pledge, for hoars pass quickly
by. and all our prayers and cntreatics can
not recall them back If exc knew the mis-
spent5 of every minute were recorded
against us IL heaven We would surely resist
evil Then, my young friends, let me i'm
plore you to stand firmly against the first
temptation under whatsoever form 1t may
assail you. Taste not, touch not, handle
not; enter not into temptatiea"
For you are starting on Iife's checkered
journey,
Alone on the highway OF Lie.
You'll meet with thousand temptations
Each city with evil is rife
This world is a stage Of excitement,
There is danger wherever you go;
But if you are tempted ia weakness,
Have courage, young men, to say "Ho.
The bright ruby wine may be offered,
No matter how tempting it be
From poison that stings like an adder,
Young men, have courage to fee;
Temptations will go on increasing
As streams from riyulet aow,
But if you are true to your manhood
Come join the Murphys and say NO
And now in conclusion, let me say at part
ing, do not cast aside my remarks without
giving them some thought, Let us press
onward. Life is :hort. Then rob not your
self of this good offer, which will brighten
all your future life, and be blessing &c
you beyond the grave.