The Portland daily press., 1886-02-15
TEMPERANCE MEETING.
Addresses by Rev. Mr.. Blanchard
and Miss S. G. jackson,

The Temperance meeting at the Pine
street NJ. E. church last night under the au-
spices of the Woman's Christian Temper
ance Union and the Law and Order League
was well attended Notwithstanding the rainy
weather The meeting opened with praise
service, after which, Rev. DR.. Williams Of
Concord, N. H., formerly pastor of this
church, read from the scriptures and offered
prayer.
Mr.. George L. Kimball, president of the
Law and Order League conducted the meet
ing and introduced as the first speaker Rev.
Mr.. Blanchard, pastor of the Congress
Square church.
Mr.. Blanchard in commencing his address
referred to the pleasure experienced in speak
ing in a Methodist church. The speaker
then considered the teachings of science in re-
gard to the use of alcoholic liquors. He said
that the leading scientific writers of the day
are nearly unanimous in their advocacy of
total abstinence and although difference OF
opinion EXISTS as to the medicinal uses OF al
cohol, it is generally believed that it should
be used as little as possible. Experiments
made among the soldiers of the Russian ar
lest men to withstand severe cold, and SINH
lar experiments tried in the German army
during the seige of Paris, showed haDltuaA
drinkers to be the first to give way under
fatigue and sickness. Of the SIX men who
returned from the Inflated Greedy expedi-
ton, four had never used either tobacco or
liquor and the first men OF the expedition to
die was one who had formerly been addicted
to the use of strong drink
Mr.. Blanchard pointed out grave danger
which besets the moderate drinker in cases
where the system has been so affected by the
continued use of spiritual liquors that it will
not respond to the stimulants administered in
sickness. The speaker as examples instanced
the death of Gambetta, the famous French
statesman and of, gentleman whom Mr..
Blanchard personally knew.
Mr.. Blanchard next considered the teach
ings of religion upon the subject. He urged
the necessity Of total abstinence for the sake
of others as well as for the sake
of self. In regard to temperance
work, Mr.. Blanchard said that the reason he
did not join the prohibitory party in politics
was because whatever may be the work of
that party there is a great preliminary work
to be done. He would like to see the subject
of total abstinence discussed in City Hall or
some other public place. In concluding the
speaker said that if in the coming cleo
ton either party is found to be bidding for
the votes of the rum interest, he wanted
temperance men to say to that party, 'We
will do what we can to defeat yOa."
L ol-o
and reviewed in an interesting manner the
progress of temperance work throughout the
country. The w. c. T. u, starting in the
State of Ohio, has spread from city to city,
from town to town and from State to State.
The South, where Northern people once
dared not utter their convictions, is now
hand to hand with the North in the temper
anee work. The rlnks of the workers over
all the land are being constantly reinforced
by the addition of eminent men, young men
who see the danger which threatens them,
and the great number of women who are
ready to do what they can in the work. Self
interest has also prompted many business
men and corporations to employ only such
men as do not use liquor, finding that these
are the best workmen.
Mr.. Geo. l.. Kinball said that no one
would deny sthe great Importance of the
question. The question is, what are you
going to do about it?" and individual action
was urged by the speaker.
The meeting was dismissed with the bene-
diction by Rev. DR.. Williams.
The next meeting will be held two weeks
from last evening in the State street church,
and will be addressed by Mrs. Woodbridge
of Ohio, secretary of the National W. G. T.
u, and president of the Ohio branch.