New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-11-14
THE MURPHY MEETINGS.

IhfTc are tNOusdHus OF nehplc III lhiS Wy WI"
never attended temperance meeting in their lives.
Some of them use intoxicating beverages without
the least approach to inebrioty some, without re-
sort to pledge are practically absInent from mo-
tvcs Of health or taste indulge in occasional.
other, in unremiting excess TO all these the tent
pcrance reformation seems TO be Of nte Importance.
In order that they may correct this error. whether
personally dangerous TO themselves or not, il would
be well for them to attend one or two Of Mr.. Muir
phys meetings. II they are students OF human ma
turc, we are sure that they will be Interested IL
they care to watch an earnest man striving TO
arouse his Indifferent brethren, can promise them
the sight. II they want to know how much misery
intemperance may cause, what devils Of all sorts
and sizes il conjures up, nobody can give them the
information better than Mr.. Murphy. 1t is impos-
sibe TO hear him for five minutes without finding
out that ne is thoroughly in earnest. Indeed, 1t
makes no difference whether he speaks OF IL silent
His very presence seems to magnetic the audience.
Ho is never absolutely quiet for a moment.
He IL always ready TO applaud the utter
ances Of others. Sometimes his only appeal
Is a smile or a gesture, and he does q good
deal merely by shaking hands with everybody.
Sitting rising, speaking or keeping silence. he Is
always at work. Great az tie gathering may be,
whoever may he upon the platform with him, this
little man is always the central figure of the crowd.
unon whom all ewes are fixed, and to whom all ears
are ready to listen. Yet he is without the slightest
touch of arrogance. and If he has the least personal
vanity he sngularly successful in conceallng it.
| lie has no scrHple about detailing his own errors,
vet he does not convey the impression that he
sidcrs himself to be peculiarly ylrtuous lie speaks
to drunkard like one who knows all about the
matter. He has sounded the depths and has been
rescued from them 81 was once like Won, john"
he says: come and be rs | am now, He makes
every one with whom he pleads feel chat be to
New-York expressly to save the hcstating aud I'M
happy man before him. Those who have doggedly
withstood reproachcs and abuse, the penalties of
the law, GOODNESS, neglect, and harsh upbradIng,
| melt like women before him. Then come CHEEKY,
encouraging words, practical help. that ever ready
hand held out. the tact which even benevolent men
often lack. Almost in twiukl.ng Mr. Murphy
has made another convert. and has his Sign
manual added to the roll Of the rcscueds Some
times the work may not DO done 30 promptly; hut
among other qualities. Mr.. Murphy has an infinite
patience Those who came TO mock remain 10 sign.
Those who entered half drunk go out tolerably
sober, having been maGnetized into remuneration
of their cups, they hardly know how. Those who
began in jest end in serious earnest
There arc doubtegs who curiOusly speculate upon
the permanenco of the resolutions which are thus
ute is strong and many doubtless succumb TO the
old Circean enchantment. But do not know
why more should be expected of the temperance
reform than OF any other crusade OF morality.
The world Is full Of bacsliders, but that has never
been considered n for renting the warfare
against sin and iniquity. Mr.. Murphy labors upon
the principle that 10 find out whether man can be
saved or not We must try TO save him. He would
hardly be successful temperance advocate II he
were easily discouraged. The work. as Mr.. Murphy
would probably tell u.s. is full Of disappointment,
as most moral work is; but those who find
amusement in the lapscs OF the drunkad
might find diversion also IN the tlounderngs of n
drowning man. 1t easy for the habitually sober
10 b. censorous. but Mr.. Murphy is of the habit
ually sober who IL cOnsdorate. He rs Jealous, but
he l. kindly SO. lie snubs and scolds no trembling
wretch back TO the barroom and its deadly consoia-
tIons He is fall Of the great Christian ideas of
pity and forgiveness.
We intended no more when we began than briefly
90 call the attention Of all classes so these remark
able meetings and TO the labors of this remarkable
man. We hear great deal about the comparative
benefits Of the license system and prohibition.
Here is q worker who thinks more of the question
of demand than OF the question of supply and who
would shut up the dram-shops by reforming their
patrons. His work is not 80 much with masses
with individuals He would make the hard drinker
n Maine Law unto himself. There are always vari-
ous ways of promoting good cause-surely Mr.
Murphy has not adopted the least promising.
---------