Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-10-31
I..ctur. nv Rev. Mr.. smith.


Lecture by Rev. MIR. Smith.
There was fair attendance last evening at
Granite Hall, on the occasion Of the lecture
by Rev. S. p. Smith of Winthrop. The
meeting was under the auspices of the Juven-
lie Templars, and they occupied the stage in
a body, under the direction of Hon. Joshua
Nye, presenting very pretty appearance, as
they all wore the regalia of the order. After
the singing Of an opening ode. the speaker of
the evening was introduced by Miss Sadie
Hooker, the w. c. T. of the Temple. The
lecture was very interesting one and was
attentively listened to. We present synop-
sis of it:
The speaker commenced by saying that he
had not come before them to tell them what
they all knew too well about the great curse
of intemperance nor had he come to inform
them of the advantages of a life of total alb
stinence Taking it for granted that the
large majority of his hearers were already well
informed on the general subject he desired
to present few thoughts on the "Educa-
tional Basis of Temperance" The history
of the temperance cause reveals the fact that
every movement along the line thus far, has
Justly been called reform. The enactment
of prohibitory laws; the organization of the
various secret societies; the wOmans crusade:
the great uprising among drinking men-all
of these movements have been mighty protests
against a condition of things that had become
unbearable. A 'reform" was necessary or
individuals and States must sink into ruin.
All this is right and necessary, so long as men
are in the way Of evils but what we need
now is not reformatory movement so much as
80 N IN hs.
gin at the right end of this matter, and train
our children in the principles of temperance;
and 80 train and educate them that reform
will not be necessary. 1t is grand thing to
reform, but it is a grander thing never to
need reform.
The State takes its children and educatcs
them in the branches which are deemed es-
scntial to its welfare and to the welfare of the
States; it realizes that upon the education Of
her subjects depends her safety and pros
perity. The church educates her children in
the fundamental principles of religion, and
thus trains the Young to become good, ear
nest christians. We, as Temperance workers,
must recognize the same important principle
and educate all the children we can reach on
this all important subject.
There is much said in these days about
reaching the root of this matter concerning
temperance but that root will never be reach
ed till we have struck the appetites and pas
sions Of humanity. We must so educate the
minds of the people on this question that they
will find that they do not need alcohol any
more than they need other poisons-that it is
neither food nor medicine. Convince a man
that he does not need it and that ii will posi-
lively injure him in all respects, and you are
in fair way to make him thorough tenn
perance man. Through no other agency can
we make thorough work of it, and establish
the principles of temperance upon an endur-
ing basis. Our hope regarding the cause OF
temperance is with the generations that are
coming. Let us recognize this fact, and set
ourselves at work in this direction.
Three agencies for the education Of child
rem were mentioned and recommended: The
Home, the School, and the Juvenile Temper
ance Society. The Importance Of working in
these different fields of labor in the promo
ton Of temperance was strongly urged. Par
ents, teachers, and all who havea direct in
fuence over the young were exhorted to make
their position one Of influence in this direc-