The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1879-03-01
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After q long period of stagnation and apparent
Indifference in religious and social circles in this
city on the subject OF the evils resulting 70 the
community from the use and abuse Of alcoholic
drinks, an attempt has recently been made, and
with some prospects of success, to revive the
Temperance work. The initiatory movement
in this good work-for every right thinking man
must feel that it is a good work-begun with
the clergy, and pointed and practical sermons
on the subject have been preached in two of the
foreign churches. Last Sunday evening a tenn
perance meeting was held in the Fort street
church, when a large audience was addressed
by Prof. Jones, of Punahou College, and by the
Rev. Messrs. Damon and Frear. Prof. Jones is
q pleasing and eloquent speaker, and he forcibly
presented the duty of protesting Christians-t0
support by their example.n public and in
private, the doctrine of total abstinence. He
reviewed the objections which may be urged
against the sweeping platform advocated by
the total abstainers and although some among
the audience might and doubtless did question
the absolute soundness of one or two of his state-
ments of lact-as, for instance, the prevalence
of drunkenness in wine-growing countries, as
compared with those where the vine does not
fourish-yet he made a decidedly good impress
sion upon his hearers, as n man thoroughly in
earnest and feeling the importance of the sub
ject in hand. The Rev. DIR. Damon enumerated
the different Temperance organizations which had
risen, Hourlshed for a time, and disappeared,
during his residence Of nearly forty years in Hon
olulu, and spoke feelingly of the many promis-
ing young men whom be had here seen go down
to the grave through the vice of intemperance.
His sentiment was one of pity rather than of con-
demnation for the drunkard, as having become
the victim of q disease whereby he lost selfcon-
troll. The Rev. Mr.. Frear closed with an earnest
appeal to those present to sign the pledge This
was printed on cards, u number of which were
supplied to each pew, and was in the following
words
Our TEMPERANCE PLEDGE.-In view of the evils OF
intemperance. and Of the influence Of my example on
others, hereby promise. with Gods help. that 1 will
not use interesting drinks as q beverage, nor tellpt
Others to use them.
Quite q number, We judge, signed this pledge,
and we expect to hear soon of a permanent
organization resulting from this beginning.
We hear also Of a movement in another direc-
ton, which, while its object is declared to be
the mental and moral improvement of those
engaged in it, has really for its cornerstone
the totalabstinence doctrine. This is an asso-
citation or club, to membership in which any
respectable male resident is eligible. The prospec-
pectus intimates that q comfortably furnished
room, provided with books, periodicals and news
papers will be the headquarters, where the menu
bers can socially and harplessly spend thier even
ings. A t present there is absolutely no place
Of amusement in Honolulu for this class Of our
population, aud the consequence is that many
irift into the saloons and acquire the habit and
the appetite which afterwards becomes SO diff
to shake of. We learn that this club
has been received-as it deserves
With much encouragement among all classes, $
md we confidently expect very shortly to report {
t a perfect success. The club with it's social !
md literary advantages, will uuquestionably v
.ttract many who would be shy of churches
nd churchmen. :
The more advanced total abstainers have v
dded an important plank to their platform, a
hat Of absolute prohibition of the traffic in l.
.toEicaung drinks. To enact and to success y
lily execute a prohibitory liquor law requires al