The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-21
EDUCATION AND TEMPERANCE.

10 the Euitof OF the indianapolis JourDaE
We believe it to be the moral duty Of every
person to help upbuiid the race. A purpose in
life that does not include fully our relations to
our fellow-creatures is too narrow to inspire the
greatest good. The lines of activity various,
and each individual can readily find way in
which he can best exercise his good intentions.
The subjects Of social and political reforms are
receiving more attention to-day than ever be-
fore. The spirit of the nineteenth century,
with enlightened conscience, has taken hold of
the problems Of life with an energy that knows
no parallel in history One Of these problems
is: How to lead men and women to live more
temperate lives" There can be no question
about the desirability Of temperate living That
idea must be embodied in the highest standard
Of human life. In respect to the methods of
promoting temperance however, there are differ
ences of opinion.
There are some lessons that can best be
taught by example. Regularity, punetuality,
order, politeness and other lessons can be most
effectually taught by the example of the teacher.
The child intuitively selects the elements of
character and weaves them into his own being.
he finds in these examples materials and means
of moral growth.
We believe that temperance is a lesson of this
kind. Many of us have witnessed Incorporate
efforts put forth in the name of temperance
reform The subject of temperance must be
viewed in its broadcast sense. Drinking is only
one phase of The subject Temperance embod-
les all those habits resulting from the right
treatment of body and mind. Any view of the
subject narrower than this leads to fanaticism
and Injuries the cause. Temperance means, spe-
officially, self control. 1T is the elevation of the
mind above the body. The mind should be the
king and ruler of the body. The brain must
exercise its authority over the stomach. The
temperate man Is temperate at the top. He
reasons decides. and then acts Every act of
body and mind must be directed in obedience to
the reason and an enlightened conscience
This training establishes good character, and
results in education. A temperate life is the
consequence of good education, 30 matter what
the source-not necessarily school education. A
good education gives men and women self-con-
troll 1t means good habits, early begun and
firmly established.
How can these conditions be securedl One So
cial organization alone cannot do the work. We
must combine all the agencies that tend to pro-
mote human welfare. The family the school,
the Sunday school, the church, and the press.
each in its own way. but linked by the bonds of
human sympathy and unity of purpose, must
solve this problem of social reform. Each is
efficient but the united action Of all is necessary
to be sufficient.
''But," some one asks, twill not prohibition
bring about this much desired resultf' Certain
ly it will There can be no question concerning
the efficacy of individual prohibition. Let each
act be done with noble purpose, and in obedi
ence to the highest reason; and from habit
encourage what is right and prohibit what is
wrong in the manifold relations of life.
Again, the most profoundly efficaeious temper
ance man is the temperate man. Not by wind
power nor by water power. but by the power of
example he reforms others His practice
breaches, and his conduct is moral prohibitory
act. His influence enforces constitutional
amendments to the habits of his associates and
observers.
Now. we do not wish to evade the subject Of
legal prohibition. 1t is claimed by many that
legal prohibition is the best method of promot-
ing temperance In this connection we should
read an essay on Compulsory Morality" by
Prof. Mathews of the University of Chicago
Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty in the
world Of individual existence. The moment a
man ceases to set sentries at the gates of his
palace, the enemy will steal in. The temper
ance pledge must be taken anew every hour and
kept every minute. Temperance is as difficult
as climbing mountain. or rowing against the
stream. We float or fall to destruction, but we
must toll and sweat on the road to redemption.
The oarsman is silly who complains because the
stream flows downward 1t is right that the
stream should flow downward and necessary that
the oarsman pull hard against the current
Sensuafty and drunkenness are dreadful dis
eases, hardly durable; but they are preventable.
Physicians what they call ''prophy Tactics" to
lessen the probability of disease. The prophylac-
tic for intemperance is education--moral educa-
ton. Begin with the children
BOURBON, Ind. A. WHITELEATHER.