The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-04-29
The MURRAY Meetings.

For some time past the leaders in
the temperance movement here have |
been in correspondence with Francis
Murphy. soliciting his aid in the work |
so auspiciously carried forward by our |
local clergy and others whose hearts
are in the reform. 1t needed but the
announcement that he would be here
last Sabbath, to fill the Rink to its
utmost capacity. Before the hour for
commencing, standing room was near
ly all taken. The speaker was intro
duced by Judge Copant. in few well
the importance of the work in which
this Jealous apostle is engaged, saying
he believed he had been instrumental
in lifting up q greater number of his
fellow-men from the pit of intemper-
ance than any man, of the past or
present. We shall only attempt q
synopsis of Mr.. Murphy's remarks.
AS speaker, he at once impresses his
hearers that his sympathies go out to
the fallen, even to the lowest depths,
and that he would take them by the
hand, bringing out and strengthening
their manhood by words and acts of
encouragement and kindness. He re-
allies that reforms go hand in haud-
fact too often lost sight of by many
of us-that the liquor seller, by stress
of circumstances beyond his control,
may be under the thralldom of this
great adversary, of which he would
gladly rid himself, could he see any
other way in which to support his low
ed ones. Society should provide ways
of escape. Stunning man does not
reform him : coercion is not effective
as kindness; as Mr.. Murphy forcibly
put it, giving a man black eye is not
/ the most effectual method to reform
him. Society should welcome the
weak in their efforts to rise; especial
ly should they be made to feel at home
in our churches. "There is but one
church, )" said the speaker, " in which
| the poor are welcomed-the Catholic"
Riches and fine raiment have much to
/ uO III Pl6Cih6 oo III Shu1Sh anu woAAus
Clergymen and laymen alike are un.
der their .baneful influence. Much
of Mr.. Murphy's native land, home
and boyhood was related, interspersed
with Irish wit, which the speaker
flashes through all his discourse. Mr..
Murphy is original and pleasing in
his manner, and holds the interested
attention of his hearers.
A still larger number sought to gain
admission in the evening, to hear Ed
ward, whom the father introduced as
"t the pride of the Murphy family"
Mr.. Murphy fully justifies his reputa-
tation as an eloquent, forcible and log
ical speaker. He clearly depicted the
analogy of the temperance reform to
all the great reforms from the earliest
to the present day. The erroneous
and common idea that minorities can
accomplish nothing in the work of
reform was clearly shown. Were this
true, our churches would be forsaken,
and all organized effort to lift up, en-
tighten and advance mankind, would
be abandoned. Minorities are the salt
of the earth. Right does not always
prevail with majorities !; seldom, if ev-
er, emenates from them. Right and
justice are born of higher power, and
will not be stayed by the interposition
of wrong and error. Mr.. Murphy
made a powerful appeal to young men
to be true to themselves. Our early
habits and associations develop what
will eventually be fixed characteristics
The ascent of the mountain may be
weary and toilsome, but how glorious
the outlook when its summit is reach
ed. The descent is easy and rapid,
and carries US to the dsrkening shad-
ows of the vale of sorrow and despair
The saloon is poor place in which to
form character and build reputation.
A certificate of proficiency and accom-
plishment earned under its influence
and teachings would count for nothing
with those desiring their services in
responsible positions. A good name
is priceless treasure, which should
be jealeusly guarded from contamina-
ton. Il pray that no act of mine,"
said the speaker. ''shsll eyer cause my
fathers head to be bowed in shame,
bring blush to the cheek of my wife
or sister, or lose me the confidence
and esteem of my friends and asso-
ciates." The Importance of thor
ough and organized work was urged.
To this he largely attributed the sue
cess of his labors, especially in Eng
land, where every saloon, house and
place of business was visited before
his arrival in city or town, and the
result was nearly all signed the pledge.
The above embraces but meager
synopsis of Mr.. Murphy's address. If
much was expected by his hearers,
their expectations were more than re-
allied, and King Alcohol may well
trembIe before this young knight,
whose unsheathed sword is welded
under the banner of temperance and
reform.
BRIMFIELD.