The Russellville Democrat., 1885-07-30
Proceedings of the $. ). Associa-
ton.
lContinued from lst page. J

cussion of Temperance Reform. The
urgent need Of temperance in our
Sunday schools is at present engross
ing the minds OF ali christians, and
| deem this a most fitting time TO
bring it before the people of our
county in Its relation to practical,
thorough education. What relation
does temperance sustain 10 the Sab
bath school? And by an exchange Of
terms, what is the relation of the
Sabbath school to Temperament
Without lights before me, and hav-
ing no temperance literature to draw
on, viii briefly present my views
which, whether founded on practical
truth or not, will at least form the
ground work for your discussion.
In this liberal age it may be said
that most reforms are progressing.
Thirty years ago Sabbath schools
were IN their infancy-they were In
crude state both in organization
and operation. But see what has
neen accom- lished within that short
period? There were strong deep
rooted prejudiees against them not
only by individuals, but by entire
communities. But see them now
Thoroughly organized and their work
systematized. From a weak sup
port, because of reluctance on the
part of the masses TO have their chill
dren brought within their influence.
especially on the part of non beliey-
ers, we now see the children OF con-
fessed christians and those of IN
Cody parents all mingling together
in the same classes. Note then that
the Sabbath school has been pro-
gressive because aggressive. Wher-
ever foolish habit or custom, or an
erroneous opinion has been overcome
by reason and example, one link in
satan's CALLING chain has been broken
and religious freedom bounds up
ward.
j believe with many other tenn
perance advocates that the great
work of redemption from rum and
whisky cannot be accomplished with
out the benefieent influences Of
christianity are directed in its be-
half To vote against the traffic has
partially failed; to pray for the inc
briate has failed in the main object;
to organize against it and to work
systematically against it, and which
has always been followed by frIgid
relapse, will not do. To pass laws
will only partially do. A venomous
snake is dangerous just as long as
you keep it IN a crippled state and
its head remains unseyered from its
| body.
Not only should all the agencies
mentioned be persistently used where
necessary but others should be en-
ployed as aids.
Plant the seeds of temperance in
christian homes, nurture and foster
the young plants by christian hands
at home and by appropriate lessons
in the Sabbath school and by christ
ian example everywhere.
Most vile men hate or feign to des-
pise any radical views as they term
it) of morality to their children. A
great manv people can be advanced
if you will give them to understand
that you are merely walking with
them to the goal Of redemption, out
they will never tolerate being led,
even By superiors.
Thus, In season and out of season,
must the work go on.
The reason | maintain in common
with many others, that SO many eff
forts at moral reform fail is because
their respective labors are conduct
ed on a false basis. They are hur-
ried forward, by those who have not
learned how to labor and to wait and
to recognize that the spirit of God is
IN all and that he will give the re
suits to people who are intensely
devout and earnest.
Ii Sabbath schools are not prepar
atory departments to prepare the
Young for more efficient christians
when they grow to manhood and
womanhood, then why go to so much
trouble and expense IN keeping then
up? Who make the most efficient
Sabbath school workers? In three
fourths of the instances they are
temper ance men and temperance
women-ayowedly so. Who make
your most active and efficient church
membersf The willing christian
workers In the Sabbath school. TC
the Sabbath schools of the country
we turn our eyes imploringly for aid
and succor to those nurseries of the
plant mind and tender heart. The
Sabbath school cause is christian
works the handmade of the church
and is not only place to inculcate
Bible information but of reform, in
speech, in habit, in all that leads
children into the MONDAY of true
manhood and womanhood. Then
why not give an occasional lesson
in Bible temperance? Boys will then
get, May of them, their first and
timely lessons in total abstinence
who never get them at home.
We maintain that christian work
must necessarily be full of temper
ance work, and that temperance
work from pure motives, is christian
work. Is il not of as much impor