Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-03-15

merit and the modest grace with which it
was presented. we solicited permission TO
publish it. The writer is a daughter of
the late p. P. Ripley of West Randolph -
EDITOR
The definition of Temperance, according
to the wisdom Of Webster, is "a moderate
indulgence of the appdlite," bat modern
theory construes that according TO individ-
ual opinion. There are those who affirm
that Temperance in Intoxicating liquors
consists in drinking just as little rs we
Gun or just as much as une peases. OF
course Webster, like other men, was hu-
man and could err. But, with malice
toward none ard charity for ALL let US
study this theme 50 important to every
man, woman and child.
We get from the Bible the greatest
knowledge and the mightest interpreta-
tions that time has ever produced. We
read such words of judgment rs this:
"Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor
drink, that putteth the bottle to him and
naketh him drunken also" We learn by
this the compensation of him who would
lead others astray. And We are taught
from the sacred pages that No drunkard
shall inherit The kingdom Of Heaven" and
understand by this the position Of the
IinGbriate. Further, we Read the doctrine
of St. Paul, that if wine mako any brothers
to offend we should drink no wine. BY
this thought We understand the resolution
for us to form. We who are Young should
study the effects of rum drinking on our
elders and be satisfied TO Lehold the poor.
broken down drunkard. without desiring
to be like him. Men never intend to be
drunkards, but the pleasures of sin fasc
nate and they yield. Whatever propagates
crime and debauchery we should discoun-
tenance. What is needed is total absti-
nence; an entire removal from vice and
no co partnership with the vile.
An eminent man once said: God is the
most ope.sided being in the universe.
If the pattern Of uncom promising Chris
tianity and ingle.mindedness comes from
Him we should be happy in copying it
and be total abstainers from whatever
destroys tho body and ruins the soul.
Very many times the question has been
asked, How shall universal temperance be
established? OF course we all admire
moral suasion, and why should We not
since ii has accomplished so much9 But
past experience has proved that nothing
can destroy the rum traffic but !egiSlat0a.
If there were no restraint, open crime
would everywhere meet our eye. There
are men who resemble the Gagged lion, and
if it was not for the cage Of legislation
God only knows what the consequences
would be; and when wo consider that
nine tenths Of all the crimes are commit
ted through the influence of ran We feel
that the uiSe should be removed and that
tt. i,t,
suppost that which will improve himself
and benefit bis country.
In the work Of temperance tho sphere
Of woman seems to occupy prominent
position in the discussions and opinions
of many people. 1t seems really alarm
ing to what II limited extent they Of the
sterner sex desire to have their mothcrr,
wives, sisters and daughters manifest their
interest in the affairs of tho world. When
we remove from our eyes tho magntfers?
of science and consider the real and unreal
things of life through the natural eyes Of
common sense we understand the posses,
sors OF vital force according to nature, rs
we recall to our minds the imperishablc
names of u Washington and II Lincoln.
and study their vrtuous and brilliant lives
and become encouraged by our heartfelt
admiration for these mighty men to
breathe blessing on the memory Of their
mothers, for we feel that il was the work
lof woman, the hallowed examples OF
, Christian mothers and their wise counsel
which gave TO these the chief adornment
of mankind-,love of God and love of
country.
How small, apparently, all the realiza-
tions of mothers OF the untransferablc
responsibilities resting on them in teach
ing their children Vastly different would
be the character of many if their mo'hers
had performed their duties as mothers
should; il they had filled their hearts
with the counsols which only Cnrls!iAn
mother can give. 1t seems as if the force
of the divine words, "Train up a child in
the way he should 60. and when he is Old
he will not depart from it," was perhaps
fJrgotten, or perhaps never Known in
, many home within the fair borders of
f America.
After the artillery of the rebellion had
ceased its firing freedom of speech to every
man, whether black or white, was one of
the insuffciently appreciated features of
; the peace proclamation Why, then.
should not woman have the freedom OF
saving soulso 1t is almost coniOunding 20
hear men and women discuss the pl utorn
which their sisters should occupy. O1c
. class are the bashful sisters, whr think II
is so disagrccable that woman preache>,
Nov If you were to examine into these
things l would not be at all surprised il
} you found out that they themselves could
, use slang and give chimney corner lee
, lures to their fathers, husbands ana
: brothers with all the Sraceiuness rece,-
sary.
} Another class are our dear sOocty la
, dies, who think II perfectly horrid > for
women to want to be public speakers.
Why, 1t almost frightens them. Now let
US investigate this and sec what the char
! actcrs of these accusers arc. You will
see them in tho ball room with their
| sophistical conversation and manners.
while their fair forms move with regulated
, ste ps amid the mazes OF the waltz; nnd
this too in public gathering where beau
ty vies with beauty-an exhibition Of
! face and form; and, forgive me if tell
you, no brains, or at least a very small
, percentage are sufficient TO adorn this
pleasure stamped company. There is
, nothing about it that calls forth the inspi-
ration of a Homer or the eloquenco of a
Demosthenes. Wny is it, then, that when
woman, the gifted and noble, feels in her
heart an urging duty to work for her God.
, why is 1t that she is assailed and insultedo
! 1t Is question that neither science nor
i reason can answer.
} When see and know what womau has
r done in the past, when l think of her as
last at the cross and first at the scpul
7 cher" and preaching risen Savior to tiIo
. ancient disciples, when think of her
? saving the drunkard and resurrecting him
D to manhood, when see her comlortin2
the afflicted and caring for the sick. and
weeping and praying over the sinful,
feel more than ever convinced that woman
4 has work to do which her brother, man,
D can nerey perform. ! tell you God placed
Y woman In this world to adorn and dignity
1t, and how can she better fulfill her mis-
: sion than by preaching and practicins
virtueP
Much might be said. but it seems hardly
necessary at this time; but whatever Is
= pure, whatever is levely, whatever is vir.
= tuous, accept and copy.