The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-03-19

Inc fouoWing essay was read by Mrs.
Henry Randolph, before meeting held at
the Methodist church, ON Sunday evening,
March LIST, 1855, under the auspices of the
w. O. Il. u. Of this village
A little more than a year ago, the woman's
Christian Temperance Union was organized
I'm Paw Paw, and, ever since, with two or
three exceptions. our room has been opened,
and some Of our number have gathered there.
We are often asked What are you doing?S
What do you expect to accomplish" We
trust you will not think il out of place for
US To occupy few moments, at this time, in
answering these questions, and saying few
other things we have been thinking OF.
Our faith in Heaven has told us TO call
upon Him in the day of trouble, and BE will
deliver us. We are in trouble. foe to our
race has long been abroad in the world,
whose sole purpose and business, disguise it
as he will, ia 20 make money by running men,
not financially only, but body, mind and soul,
for time and eternity. During many years
past, men, seeing his desolating work, have
been trying to stay his ravages. They have
prayed and entreated the monster 10 cease
his work. They have used many means to
persuade his votaries TO turn their feet from
his paths, but have not been successful.
The enemy has laughed in their faces, and,
by his deceptive wiles, has SO blinded the
moral sense and Judgment of the majority,
that they have protected him in his business
nay more--have legalized ii, making it
honorable i'll the sight of the law. Lawful
TO sell the poison that crazes and kills those
who use 1t. Is this true, or are we dream
ing? Oh, how blessed if we might awake
and find 1t only dream, but, alasl 1T Is too
true. he has boldly opened rooms and es-
tablished his business everywhere. even in
our own beautiful town, and is using all his
arts, prostituting beautiful adornings, music
and flowers, to his debasing uses, 10 entice
any and every one, if possible, to walk into
his parlors and be ruined. And we have
seen some OF our loved ones going in, and, in
an agony of despair, have cried out, "What
shall we DOR The help of man fails US, 80
we have been calling upon our God to
deliver Us. We can report no golden
harvest gathered, yet we are not discouraged,
for we believe in higher power than
mans that is available, if we only have I'M
wavering faith in Him, and are willing to
work in harmony with His laws.
We are seeking to SOW the seed of Chris
tian, temperance truth, in all minds, espec-
tally those of the young, as we have oppor-
tunity, and the means 10 do it with. We
seek TO shield the young and pure from temp
tation, 10 rescue the perishing, and to per-
suade compel our foe TO leave of his
wicked business.
| We do not feel that we can work with
none but those who fall into our line, but in
perfect harmony and sympathy with you,
brother temperance workers, we wish TO join
issue with you in this conflict. We have enlisted
! for the war and do not intend to be mustered
out, until our white badges shall indicate,
not that we are warriors, but victors.
Then let us each do the work that is right
before US, as our Father in Heaven shall re-
veal TO us best, and let us be very charitable
toward each other, criticising kindly, each
others methods of work, if only we are all
aiming at the same great result. When
raging fire is consuming everything in its
course, if one man, thinking the old ways of
working best, catches his fire-bucket and
commences, with all his might. to throw on
water, while another uses the patent fire ex-
tinguisher, others the hand or steam engine.
and others tear down buildings in advance of
it, would it be wise for them TO stop and find
fault with each other about their ways of
working, while the fire still ragged? Then let
us each work, using the means that God and
our own best judgment shall direct, until the
consuming alcoholic fire is extinguished. And
this time will surely come for "God is not
slack concerning His promises" and " Though
sentence against an evil work is not executed
speedily" He will, in His own wise time,
raise up Moses or a Washington, or a Lin
coin, to lead US out OF bondage into liberty.
But, in all we say and do, let US be consist
ent. If we have given our influence on the
side of licensing the traffic in intoxicating
drinks, is it consistent for US to COM
plain, when a licensed dealer, who keeps
within the limits of the law, sells liquor to
men or women, making them drunk? Sup
pose their families do become paupers be-
cause they spend their money for rum. Sup
pose it does make them quarrelsome or vic
ious. Suppose they commit crimes that it
chills your blood 10 think of, and which they
would never have been guilty of, if their
brain had not been crazed with drink. And
suppose we must pay large sums for the
trial and punishment of such criminals Did
we not know that these would be the legiti-
mate fruits of the business? Then why
complain? Would it not be more consistent
to say, and vote, and pray no license TO such
a business? Indeed | am not sure but the
law-abidiug liquor dealer, who complains of
grievances, deserves our svmpathies. he
pays for the right to do o business that we
have said he might legally do, and then we
complain and find great deal of fault with
him, because of what we knew would be the
natural fruit of that business.
May we all see these things in their true
light, and. when we know the right may we
nobly and courageously do it.