The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1886-10-01

'H'Ao "H'A' NHJ VI ~
which may come to our loved ones whose
spirits are pure and whose hearts arc fitted
for a glorious welcome in the home to
which they are taken. But alas for the
victim of the disease Of incompetence, who
goes down to a d~runkard's grave, how
dark and sad is the picture before him.
Can we for a moment hesitate in our de-
sire for their best interest to say to those
who have lost their power of Judgment,
''thon shalt not drink" We have a right
to lay a restraint upon the personal liberty
of such an individual.
We have prohibitory laws in regard TO
diseased meat. The law then says what |
shall cat. Does it not say emphatically
we shall not eat any of these things?
Society has a right to say this to us, and
to use all tie means necessary for its own
protection, therefore the same holds good
in regard to this traffic in intoxicants. |
might go on and speak of many things in
which we are obliged to surrender some of
our rights. 1t does not improperly inter
fere with personal liberty to prevent a man
from doing that which will iniure himself
or his fellow-man. We have duties tina
we owe to our fellow-men, and it is neces-
sary for society to protect itself by restrain
ing evil doors, and until these are cached
by moral power, they must be restrained
by law. There is a large class who arc
only kept honest by the law. There are
men who are only restrained from ON
hitting violence because of the laws. For
these there is necessity for legal enact
ments to supplement moral suasion, and
as meinbe of the Society Of Friends en-
gagged in this work, | would not have any
lessen their efforts in moral suasion.
think it is the duty of the members of
Society in exercising our rights at the bal
lot box to endeayor TO wipe out this evil.
1t is not my purpose to enter into all the
means which may be employed. Iwant to
present facts and principles which should
underlie our actions. Each individual
mind must be convinced of what is right
for them to do, and we should see to it
VIA Oii lhtitbLt 10 tNob IibO tioot tAiths4-
nels in which they will tend most effective
Iy to eradicate this evil. To our sisters |
feel to make a few remarks. You nave
your work emphatically in this line of
exert is vast-as mothers, as sisters there
is much that you may do to influence the
minds around you; especially as mothers
do you mold the plastic mind of your
which shall go with them throughout all
time.
Tot can lead these by your example and
your teaching, and as they go out from
protected in the right. As wives the in
iluence which you have over your husbands
is very great, and as you keep close to the
Divine Guide your influence will be always
for the right, and for the redemption not
only of your own homes, but of other
homes. 1t should be emphatically the
work of every woman within our Society,
bearing the testimony as we do in our dis
ClIliut, W dNOii bHt ibtlDbtlNNioii w uot vi
all inioxicants in the home over which she
presides.
You should carry this out in all things, and
thus you will exert a mighty influence in
this direction.
As sisters you may exercise a great in
nuence over your brothers by your firmness
and kindness. You may shield them in the
hour Of temptation, you may convince them
that they should do nothing that would
bring the blush to their mothers cheek.
Our work as husbands and brothers is
much influenced by you, and let us all see
to it, that our influence is always on the
side OF the right, that as individuals we
stand firm for total abstinence, and at the
ballot box for absolute prohibition. Men
who cast your votes should vote as you
pray. | know 1t is said that your vote is
thus thrown away, but a vote for princi-
pie is never thrown away, while a vote for
a party without principle is always thrown
away. 1t may seem to be a success some
times, but if a man has not lone hat which
his conscience uicltltS as iiSHb IL Will
bring trouble. | want you to carry this
thought with yon, for though your mum
bers may be small, it has been we'll said
that a good man will shake the country for
ten miles around. You know not where
your influence may extend. In all reforms
those who have taken the foremost posi-
ton have almost always been maligned.
1t has been said that the martyrs of ont
generation are the saint of the succeed
ing. They who are prosecuted for stand
ing foremost in one generation, are honor
ed in the next. Lucretia Mott was regard
ed as GU: of the line of truth by some in
the monthly meeting that convened in this
house. Now she is revereneed everywhere
for her noble stand in favor of the equality
of man and of all righteous reforms. s.
beloved friends, don't be afraid though the
world may deridc you to-day and call you
fanatical; it may ~criticise your act, but Sc
long as your conscience tells you that you
have been doing that which is right
stand firm in your principles; then, though
for a time you have to stand alone, til,
day will come when the world will see thu
right and follow it as you have seen ans
followed it.
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