Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-08-03
Beecher and Total Abstinence.

We copy the following letter Francs L.
Willard " Editor Of The Alliance AS the
question of Henry Ward Beecher' temper
ance principles is often and variously re-
ported, send you my notes of his replies TO
questions asked him at the Twin Mountain
House. give them just as they were jotted
down on that occasion GAS usual, Mr..
Beecher conducted morning prayers in one
of the parlors. Hon. William A. Wheeler
was present, also Mrs. Bsecher, Mrs. Mary A.
Livermore, and other distinguished guests.
The exposition of Romans, xix, and the
prayer which followed were memorable and
will be helpful to all who heard them. The
Christlike spirit in its breadth and strength
and genteness was surely here Mr.. Beecher
desired us to ask questions, and mine was
upon the twenty-frst verse 1t is good
neither to eat flesh nor t, drink wine, nor
anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or
is offended, OF is made weak Mr.. Beecher
was very earnest in his reply at seems TO
me like this" he said, "suppose that out
here in the mountains there is precipice
near to school-house where many children
are assembled. Suppose that halfway down
that precipice there is spring whose water
specially enjoy and, strong man as | am,
think can go down safely by narrow
path, dangerous to many but not to me.
Suppose that the children are determined
to scramble down there aud won't believe it
is dangerous, since they have seen me going
and coming with apparent impunity. In
deed some of them try the path and fall
and break their necks, while others are
manned for life. Now, what sort of man
much more, what sort of Christian
should be if l persisted in going down
that dangerous path If have one par
ticle of magnanimity, if I have been at all
taught of Christ shall put good, strong,
high fence across that path and never tread
it any more. That's my position on the
total abstinence question. That is why |
am myself total abstainer and shall al.
ways be, unless by the prescription of con-
scientious physician | take alcoholics as
medicine. "For why should insist on drink
ing wine even if | were fond of it, which |
am not ? 1t would do me no special good,
and what gain in character by the habit of
studying and preserving the good of Others
is an incalculable and eternal gain" Mr..
Beecher added that on the theater question
he occupied precisely the same position. Z" |
would like to see Edwin Booth 10 Hamlet
he said, "and would like to see Sothern in
Lord Dundreary it has been piece OF
| Selt-denlal 10 me not U eJnem, nor 'hacnel,
nor 'Ristori,' but was never in a theateI
in my life, and on the same principle | dc
not drink wine. Young men who hear me
preach would take me for an example IL
these things, and | dare not open for then
the door OF the playhouse, the bar-room ant
dramshop." | also inquired his position OIL
the tobacco question and he spoke strongl,
against it as uncleanly, selfish, and tending
to the deterioration of mind and body. Fl
nally, ! asked his rule about criticism anC
comment on those around us, and he CAV
the best answer ! have ever received to
question often propounde1 viz; 81 would
have no rule about it, but would keep tn
heat so full of love and goodwill that tn
words which come trimming over will b
brimful of kindness" 1t strikes me Their
is large amount Of gospel essence in thes
words. Yours for First Corinthians, ID,
FRANCES f. WILLARI