The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-06-03
PROHIBITION,

PROHIBITION.
Paper read by Emma d. Eyre, at mtet-
ing held in Wrightstown Friends Meet
ing House, 18th Of 9th month.
1t was said by one who attended late
conference that "the sauctity of our meet
ing-house was outraged by Prohibition
harangues. To me this is a sacred
theme, aud no walls too sacred to echo its
advocacy. 1t is the cause of Justice, mercy
and right, and righteous warfare against
sin and death.
Let Us examine we'll the ground upon
which we stand and see that we have
sure foundation. We are striving to edu-
cate the young upon this subject, and
this is holy mission, but think for a
moment how limited is our influence in
this channel. While in one home there
is the careful Christian temperance train
ing. Alas how many there are where the
little ones who will soon come forward as
the men and women of the future hear
nothing of this; there are so many boys
whose education is going on in the bar
room and saloon; are we to do nothing
for theseP Is there no way we may shut
off this school of vice from the young? |
fear it will avail but little, were we to
SOW our highways kneedeep with our best
temperance literature, while on the right
hand and on the left stand open these
seducing temptations Many will not
read, some cannot, but all can see and
hear the low profane conversation and
conduct carried on all around us in our
licensed houses, and their influence is far
greater than many of us suspect.
Let us look still deeper into the subject.
We know that many thousands annually
fill drunkards' graves Nearly all of these
began their downward career at our
licensed houses, and when we remember
the decree given forth from the highest
of all courts, that mo drunkard shall in
herit the kingdom of Heaven" does not
this become a sacred subject to us? Is not
the saving of souls by removing tempta-
tion from the young and weak around us
a Christ mission
Let us educate the young in every man.
ner possible regarding this evil. But
have we done our whole duty while we
leave the very cause of the ruin of SO
many still amongst them2 A gentleman
said, 81 have eight good arguments for
Prohibition" and when asked what they
were be replied, "My eight boys" and
these are also my arguments, my plea is
for these, for the boys of to-day. We
must lay the axe at the very root of evil,
and if the houses where we meet to give
forth the light as we receive it, to en-
courage healthy sentiment, are too
sacred for this purpose, then indeed are
we bound hand and foot, and the minute
of appointment milestone around our
necks. would be sorry to discourage
any, in any branch of this work. All are
useful We need the earnes: effort OF
every one in each branch, but let us aim
cur blows at the cause rather than the
effect. Would we not think a man very
foolish who was using all his energy and
strength cndeavoring to empty vessel of
water by dipping it out while the spigot
was still filling it? Would not his labor
be In vain until he had turned it off? 1t
seems to me this is what we are doing.
We strive to raise the fallen, to rescue
the victims of this vice, while we dare not
demand of those in power that the very
cause Of all this sorrow be stopped.
The enemies of Prohibition say it is a
failure friends do not. 1t cannot be a
more miserable one in prohibiting than
our present law is in restricting, for
whence come the drunken minors we see,
and where do the habitual drunkards pro-
cure that which intoxicates them?
will not attempt to prove its efficacy, time
does not admit it, there are evil minded
persons everywhere who defy all righteous
laws this is not the question with which
we have to deal, but whether it be right
to manufacture and sell intoxicating
drinks or not, and If we are satisfied in
our own minds it is not, then are we not
IN duty bound to teach the truth as we
have received it? Is not anything short
of Prohibition compromise with sin,
and can we stand absolutely clear unless
WIS advocate it. There is no safe middle
ground upon which we may stand in this
matter. We have tried too long to OBJ
serve moderation and temperance regard
ing it. The time has come when we
must either be in favor of continuance
of the liquor traffic, in favor of still legal
izing this blight upon our homes, or in
favor of its utter suppression. There can
be no neutrality, and those who are not
with US are against US. This Is not a
moderate evil and cannot be suppressed
by moderate measures. II it only moder-
ately injured the mind, health and happi-
ness of our brothers, If it only brought a
moderate degree of heartache into our
homes, if it only partially periled oul
precious souls, then indeed might we be
moderate in denouncing it, but as il
stands to-day in all its enormity, with its
terrible ravages, we must hate it with
all our minds, and labor with all oul
might for its utter Prohibition. Occupy
ing the position this society does we can
not be temperate upon this question, W.
must stand before the people clean handes
total abstainers, and though scorn and
ridicule be our portion, If we are in the
right the Master whom we seek to serve
will in secret approve our conduct, and
need we fear mans disapproval?
wINE-MADE HOMES.
Says man in California eve find
here that wine-making community is a
community of drunkards." Said a man