The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1885-06-17

every w edneSday afternoon, at nalt-past
three, in their room over Mr.. Thatoher's
place of BUSINESS, Church street. Also
Gospel Temperance Meeting, every Sun
day afternoon, at quarter to four.
These extracts are from a paper by
Judge Harper, of Plainfield, N. j., read
at the N. Y. Yearly Meeting Temperance
Conference, April 9th:
Temperance, as a reformatory agent,
signifies total abstinence on the part of
the individual from the use of all kinds
of Intoxicating beverages, whether dis
titled or fermented the enlargement of
the bounds of practical sobriety, though
dependence upon Divine Power, the
influence Of religious and secular teach
ing, moral persuasion, convincing argu-
ment, and consistent personal example !;
and the curtailment and final suppression
of the liquor traffic and its attendant
evils by legal authority, strengthened
and sustained by enlightened public
opinion. Temperance Justly condemns
moderate and social drinking as open
pathways to danger, and extols positive
abstinence as the only course of safety.
Temperance strives by all prudent and
available means to make right sovereign
over wrong, truth superior to error, and
to promote the spiritual and temporal
welfare of mankind by peacefully, but
persistingly laboring to remove the direct
cause of crime, misery, destruction, d.
sease and death, now so widespread and
mournfully apparent. That is Temper
ance, my friends !! Can any just minded
person, animated with love towards God
and Humanity, fail to discern duty there
in, or hold back from dedicating thereto
his or her most Jealous and efficient life
service2 With due sense of RESPONSE
bility, let the individual query be: What
is my duty? How can / rescue the
perishing?
Is it stepping beyond the limits Of
ascertained fact to arraign the arch
enemy of Temperance, alcoholic liquor,
as the giant scourge of the present day?
Its terrible effects are to be seen and felt
on every hand, blighting and dishonor-
ing our happy country from centre to cir
conference. 1t spares neither age, sex,
nor worldly condition, thrusting its hide
Gus presence into the palaces of the rich
and the novels of the poor. 1t is the
parent of guilt, the promoter of want,
the artificer Of sorrow and suffering, the
corrupt of public and private virtue, the
debaser of manhood, and in various ways,
and under the most seductive forms, the
fell destroyer of human happiness. 1t is
altogether evil. There is not q redeem
ing trait about it. How can its devastat-
ing career be effectually ended? That is
question each individual should seriously
ponder and earnestly endeavor to solve.
Much has been done aud much is being
done to secure the triumph of Temper
ance. The signs of the times are encour-
aging, people are thinking and speaking
as never before already the cheering
sunbeams of truth are breaking in upon
the gloom laden clouds of error, but
vast work remains to be accomplished,
and additional helpers are urgently need
cd. Temperance appeals for energetic
aid from all, old and young, male and
female.
The brightest hopes for the future of
Temperance cluster around the right edu-
cation of the youth. That, in my judg-
ment, is the most important of present
duties, because therein abides unlimited
power, mighty reserve force. Tho
roughly instruct the rising generation as
to the pernicious effects of alcohol, and
the dire results that surely follow liquor
drinking, and brief period will alone
suffice TO ripen scattered seeds of know
ledge into glorious harvest of garnered
sheaves.
Educate the children into abhorrers of
the vile fluid of intoxication, firmly estab-
lish them in the faith and practice of
total abstinence, and soon an army of
valiant reformers will arise, principle
armed, and fully equal to the task of
sweeping the liquor evil out of existence.
Methinks even now may be heard the
coming tramp and gladstone shout of
that liberating host, as over mountain,
plain and valley of our broad ocean
fringed land they resolutely marshal for
final victory-for the triumph of purity,
freedom and right. A few fleeting years
more and the boys and girls of to-day
will. be the men and women of society,
active participants in the affairs of life,
and moulders and directors of public SEN
timent. How vitality important then
that they should be intelligently in
structed in the saving truths Of Temper
ance, not only for their own individual
good, but for the lasting good of all. l
have spoken Of school boys and girls as
the coming moulders of public sentiment.
That outlines one of the greatest and
most permanent advantages to be derived
from Temperance education. Its future
value must be admitted and appreciated
by every candid observer ofpublic affairs.
Laws enacted in the interest of Temper
ance and good morals are of little more
account than waste paper, unless strong
ly backed by vigilant and well informed
public sentiment. Secure that safeguard,
and reform viii have chance to live and
flourish. Popular majorities based upon
and invigorated by Temperance education
will prove as anchors sure and steadfast,
however fierce may dash the waves of
depraved and mercenary opposition.
Education is fortune dearer than
gold. 1t is the lever Of enlightening pro-
gress, and properly guarded and directed,
one OF the grandest features Of the nine
teenth century. Encouraging it is to