The Newtown bee., 1879-12-24
Rev. M. HI. Pogson's Lecture.

audience assembled in the Congregation
al Church, to listen to this well-known
orator and temperance lecturer, Rev. M.
H. Pogson, of Bridgeport. After the
opening services, and a few words of in
PRODUCTION by Rev. j. P. Hoyt, Mr.. Pog-
son began by saying that he had come to |
Newtown for the purpose of truthtelling
although clergyman he felt he had a
right to speak on temperance, for gospel
motives always prompt man to gospel
, action, and 1t was dictate Of religion to
save men; if it were asked why Chris.
tians made special effort to put down in
temperance, the reply must be because
it is the parent of vices. After severa
illustrations and remarks, tending to
show the relations OF temperance people
toward those addicted to the vice of in
temperance, and after describing in
glowing language the misery, sin and
death which result from such indulgence,
, he touched upon his own experiences; he
, thanked God he had been rescued from
, drunkard's doom, for he had known what
= it was to be tempted and to tall. He
wished no other eulogy when dead than
y
to help and save drunkards." When the
bauble of time shall disapper in the cru
chile Of eternity, what joy to know that
one has been rescued by our instrument
tality there is no luxury like that of do
ing good. Then followed eloquent
passage whose object it was to show that
nature had no beauty or value compar-
able with that of an immortal soul, and
it is for that soul that we labor.
He spoke courteously of the modern
hotels-they are needed and appreciated;
: but, he added, that when liquor was sold
and they became the tempters of citizens
: and youth, they were man traps and
'. baited hooks " in them and elsewhere
T. gathered those who spoke fippantly of
= religion, and whose conversation was Of
; ten tainted with skepticism and immor-
: ality. He then noticed the common plea
S of the moderate drinker, that " IL moder-
0 ate drinker, especially if Il respectable
1 man, could not sink very low through in
p, temperance. In refuting this plea he
= alluded to Edgar A. Poe, the poet of
. worldwide fame, who was often found
S drunk in the cutters; to Gov. Yates, who
$ tried hard to break away from his intern
!, perate habits, tut told the speaker that
: he could not; saying, q must have
wiskey, If l go through hell-fire." Soon
# after he fell III the streets an died
g victim to dolerium trcmens. Other i'll
l.. I'cidents were given as the same Shot will
V kill the noble eagle or the common crow,
:. so drink will K ill rich or poor, high or
d low; it is worse enemy to body and
d soul than any other vice. At this point
V he related {. touching sketch of the career
n of school-mate and friend, who at one
e time stood very high, occupying an ex-
allied position in state and society. He
:, was induced by fear of ridicule to drink
# liquor at a convivial gatherings he thus
&c became somewhat intoxicated, wandered
N in the streets, was kicked by the police,
6 inveigled into house of sin and shame,
r. robbed of his own and others money,
:, forced to give evidence in a court Of JUS
N tice, and then ashamed Of the publicity
+ and of himself, committed suicide
=. ''strong drink did it," Then followed
% an effecting description Of the reception
m of the news by the aged parents and the
pure-h hearted girl to whom he was en-
gagged. "God help thee, father, mother,
~ lover. sister, friend, whoever you are,
who mourn over one naturally noble and
VI loving, but who through drink has be
come a fallen, false degraded thing.
" Fathers, mothers, citizens, friends
curse it; curse it ye ministers of the
dalenes-curse it curse it ALL. No an
gel will blush to hear such curse, bu
will say-Amen!
~ In conclusion he briefly touched upon the
. Weapons of our warfare" against in
temperance. 1st-The cause of temper
ance demands more attention from pull
- pit and press. 2d-Women whose home:
and happiness are SO oftened ruined b,
it, should be more active in their efforts
to suppress it; especially should youn,
. ladies discourage all forms of the evil il
. their friends, and regard none with favo
- who are addicted TO the use of liquor a
- a beverage 5th-Temperance orsaniza
tions like the Good TempIars were pow
Q erful auxiliaries in suppressing this vice
49, He recommended genial warm-heartet
u kindness in our efforts to rescue the per
ba ishing; long faces were as objectionabl
1o in tenn, erance as in religion temperate
NC in the mouth, and 60 Hostettel s Bitters
ev in the cellar show hypocrisy. 6th-Mel
,er of g one idea if it is good one ar
I'D sure to succeed; Temperance is such a
dir idea
nd Such is q brief synopsis and outline c
le- the lecture. 1t is very imperfect sketch
To written out at the request Of the Edito
IN of the BEE, after nearly a weeks inter
,od val. The address was one calculated
do good, and was favorahly received an
:, warmly commended. Some Of the pas
=, sages were rare specimens of graceful e>
-, preston and fervid eloquence, and tn
i. speakers wonderful command of langt
age and easy delivery were remarked b
all; we hope to hear MIN again Tn
thanks of the community are due t
T. " Granite Lodge for the lecture, and
is hoped that as the audience freely I,
~ ceived, they also freely and generousl
~ gave in the contribution.
an,
mt Fire ira DanDary.