The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1886-09-01
A Message to the Women of
the Land.

Sisters, the message / bring and
the appeal | make to you to-day come
from the Utmost depths of heart most
profoundly impressed with the deep
significance of the solemn admonition
of Holy Writ: Whatsoever thy hand
findeth to do, do it with thy might; for
there is no work, nor device, nor knowl-
edge, nor wisdom in the grave whittier
thou goest." Never before, in the
history of this nation, has the voice of
God sounded a call so imperative and
unmistakable in its nature as that
which is now arousing the women of
our land, bidding them consecrate
heart and hands, time, talents and
wealth for the rescue of suffering, sin
cursed humanity How many of you,
my sisters, are obeying this divine cali
and are doing the Masters work to the
best of your ability? Many of you will
say that while your sympathies and
prayers are for the cause, your domestic
cares and duties prevent you from aid
ing it in any other way; but in this you
are greatly mistaken. Can you not
sign the total abstinence pledge and
speak warning word to the tempted
and erring whenever an occasion is
presented? Can you not Danish alco-
holic tlavOring from your desserts, as
well as wine from your sideboard? Can
you not transfer your patronage from
the liquOr-selling grocer to the man
who is struggling to establish his bust
ness without building it up on the
wrecked fortunes and ruined lives of
his fellow-creatures? Can you not ut
terly repudiate alcoholic medication in
all its forms, from the vile, whiskey-
soaked compounds called bitters ="
and tonics down to the milk-punch
and homemade cordials? / am well
aware that many M.D.'s tell us there is
no substitute for alcohol in the materia
medica, and l thank God for it!
thank him that it is not in the power
of mortal man to produce a second
scourge so potent for evil in its ma
lignant influence upon the destinies of
our race. The combined medical sci
ence of the universe could not convince
me that an element which is univer-
sally acknowledged to be the deadly
enemy of a healthy human organism
can be the friend of a diseased one, for
it is in direct antagonism to the laws of
life. There is fearful record against
Vic llculCdl DlOlCSSlOl VI Jhlo COuulIy Y,
and if each physician could see the
vast and horrid array of victims for
whose downfall he is directly respon-
sible he would flee in terror and re-
morse from the CHASTITY sight and SOL
EMMY resolve never again to peril the
temporal and eternal interests of those
who trust themselves to his care. The
people are slowly awakening to this
vital truth; and when they become
fully aroused, as they surely will at no
distant period, they will hurl king al
cohol from the lofty pedestal to which
he has been elevated by false medical
system-and may God hasten the day
Some of my dear readers may say: 50
do not wish to sign the pledge; can
work as well for the temperance cause
without doing So" But this question
arises: How can you consistently ask
others to do this if you are unwilling to
do it yourself? Do you not realize that
your example is of infinite value, and
that you must be openly identified with
those who are battling against the great
destroyer, or subject yourself to the
risk of being reckoned among his adj
herents, or at least his apologistsf
Many will say it is impossible to pre-,
pare certain articles of food without
wine or brandy; then, in the name OF
humanity, and for the safety of your
self and loved ones, Danish them from
your table! | know that the number
of those whose taste is so fearfully per
verted is countless; even little children
in many families, will reject the pie o.
pudding made on temperance prin
ciples. l warn you solemnly to be
ware how you thus cultivate in you
loved ones an appetite which may
prove their eternal ruin. There arr
others among you who do not seem t.
realize the fact that while you patron
ize liquor-selling grocers you are di
rectly sustaining and perpetuating the
liquor traffic, for two-thirds of them ar,
vile grog-shops. Do you not see what
fearful responsibility is resting upoi
your soul every hour that you continu
thus to aid in rolling on the car of GU
great national juggernaut, whose wheel
are crimson with the life-blood O
crushed and murdered millions? / be
seech YOU to think of this. And, dea
sisters, if you will be radical and ear
nest in regard to the points / have pre-
sented, your influence will be felt
wonderful extent, and it will b
spoken of you in the great day O
recompense, "She hath done wha
she could" And you who ar
blessed with ample time and opportr
nifty, who offer neither prayers nc
sympathy, but criticise and condem