The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-15


cup. Then, so far as our individual example is
concerned, the woes of the liquor traffic cannot
be laid at our door.
But we must do more and better than this
We must guard our household. Our boys, in
addition to our example, may need caution and
counsel, and instruction, that they may be forti
fed in the hour of temptation.
First-We can impress upon them the impor
lance of never taking the first glass, and put into
their hands such volumes as the autobiography
of John B. Cough.
Second-We can warn them against all evil
associations and companionship that might entice
them to the dram.shop.
Third-We can show them the folly and sin of
self-indulgence; how it blights body and SOUL
how it brings misery and desolation to many a
nome, and upon many a community; how the
business of the dramseller impoverishes demon
Allies and degrades those who become its VIC
Tins; and we rescue all we can, and urge
them to work in earnest and e1fectual ways
against ntemperance.
The mothers of the Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union might do grander work, if, in
stead of holding political conventions and nom
mating or indorsing candidates, they would see
to it that all their boys are carefully trained in
habits of industry, sobriety and virtue. Chris
tian fathers will also do a grander work for So
cety and their Lord, it, instead of relying mainly
upon statutory prohibition in advance of public
sentiment, they so educate and train their sons
that they will be models of temperance and
true manliness. Let this be done well and
dried up for lack of patronage and a temper
ance sentiment be developed which in the end
will secure us better legislators and wiser leg
islation, that will not trammel the conscience
and darken human homes and human hopes.
1 close with these additional thoughts.
First-With this desolate picture Of the dram
drinker in view, it is safe to say, that the bust
ness of the dramseller, in the estimate Of
Christi an people, for a season yet may be tech
nically legal, but it can never be reputable. If
nrOduPeS drunkenness barlOtrV /
causes woe, and sorrow, and Slavery, and remorse,
and the sting of death, who will stand up in the
presence of virtue and purity and defend It'll
Pray God that you and all near and dear to you
may forever be kept from being a distiller or
manufacturer of that which sends such misePies
upon your fellows that You may never engage
in the liquor traffic; that You may never
apply for license to keep saloon where liquor is
sold and drunk; that you may never engage in the
perilous, oul-corrupting and soul-destroying
work of the dramseller.
Second-Not the authors of this wretchedness
so much as their victims evoke our sympathies.
While we have restraints and penalties for the
one, for the other we have tears and helping
hand.
Thlrd-Drunkennes with this description
before us, must be characterized not as a weak
ness merely, but sin to be repented of and
abandoned.
Fourth-To the practical question, what is to
be done! we repeat that correct personal example
is of prime Importance Then household con
secration. protection and drill are indispensable.
Let us invoke all the influences needed to win
the heart to sobrety and duty. Right training
is requisite and perpetual vigilance. Any over
sight here or inattention to-day means disaster
tomorrow.
Fifth-We are not to be duped by craft Y,
selfish and designing demaeogues to believe that
the devil of intemperanee is to be charmed or
driven away by the license system, or by the
cry of prohi bition or votes for prohibition, or
prohibition enactment, or by constitutional
ar ali If zinc
will be followed by apathy. neglect and defeat.
By holding the liquor traffic responsible for all
the evil it produces by developing sound pub
lie sentiment, by right education, by the power
of the pulpit and the press, and by such trust
full dependence upon God the true source of
victory in every genuine reform-such depend
ance as will ascribe the glory of every triumph
to His holy name, and draw wisdom from Him
to guard us against mistakes and inspiration
to give as faith and courage ever to defend right
eousness ard truth-upon this line
conviction will take possession of us
that are eo-workerS with God
in pulling down the strongholds of sin and Satan,
and our efforts will be crowned with ultimate
success. In January 1865, was in a State con
vention of over 700 delegates at Nashville,
Tenn. Resolved, That in this Common
wealth no legislature shall ever recognize the
doctrine of property in man.. was the PROPOSE
ton they had thoroughly discussed. and the vote
was to be taken. The great majority of the con
vention had been or were shareholders. but the
progress of events the Emancipation Proclama-
ton, the fortunes Of the war, accomplished
pFovidences, had brought them to face new
condition of things and voluntarily and by
unanimous vote the resolution was adopted The
resolution itself wrought no change, it but
recognized and registered the progress already
made
Sixth-In the good time coming, when Satan shall
be chained and Christianity everywhere triumph
ant, such scenes as solomon describes will be
witnessed no more. There will be no distillers
then. no liquor saloons. no dram sellers licensed
to sell that which at last bites like serpent and
stings like an adder. The victory will not be
achieved by legislation statutory prohibition,
though this may follow and register the real re-
form; nor by political parties or any human de-
vice, les. God be robbed of his glory; but, as in
the overthrow of idolatry, by the spirit and
power and grace, and truth of the Lord God
Admiralty.