The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-02-12
..lErTER THAN THE sALooN.n

The crimson flush of twilight quivered over
Puget Sound, and the crown of Mt. Rainier
| lighted up for the last time i'll the after-glow
| of the dying day. There was the sound of q
drum in the streets, a rattle and jingle of tam
bourines, and a red flag sweeping by, followed
by procession of decently dressed men and
women singing a lively tune. The musical
company wheeled on to q plateau near the
Hotel Belleview, planted their flag and knelt
down in a circle.
''The Salvation Army, declare" said
red-faced spectator. They are disgrace to
Seattle" and he put on his hat and left the
veranda to enter saloon.
1t was Saturday night after one of the
great days of emigration, and the streets were
filled with people, many of whom were taking
! their first view of wonderful Mt. Rainier and
the blue Puget Sound There was tramp
of feet everywhere on the miles OF wooden
pavements. Saloons blazed; it was harvest
night for all those places that ruin the souls
of men, which spring up so quickly in new
city.
passed from the hotel to the plateau. 1t
was nearly nine o'clock, but still light and
the great tent of Mt. Rainier still glistened
in the night air. 1 expected to hear some
minstrel songs, some comical and excited
talking, and to witness sundry sensational
performances such as had witnessed under
The army was kneeling in great circle in
the open lot under the northern twilight
with its glimmering of stars. Orderly men
and women were gathering around them,
and the circle widened and widened until a
great concourse of people was gathered, all
revcrent and dcvout as in church. There
were prayers, songs. and then came "teStI-
monies"
The pleasure-seeking critic from the East
L. L. ,t {l,ac nroN. q
men were here; men who had faced the can-
non in the old campaigns; men who had beat
Ell down the wilderness and opened the high
ways of progress; and better yet, men who
had overcome their own passions, the saloon,
and all the ruinous excitements incident to
pioneer life.
Two of the Testimonies" as the speaking
was called, still linger in my mind. 1 will
give them here:
Il am all alone in the world. Jesus Christ
is my friend, and He is the only friend have
on earth"
MY friends, I am new man. God by
His Holy Spirit has implanted within HE
new life. All things are new"
Indians were there; men who had been
ntemperate, and both men and women
with whom passions had been stronger than
conscience and will. One spirit animated ali:
the desire to be free from the enchalnmento
sin.
1t was ten o'clock when the great con-
shadow, and Mt. Rainier ghost. The moon
was shining.
THAT was better than the saloon" said an
observer to me. Say what you may, the
Salvation Army is good influence in a new
town, or in mining camp, or where the
influence of the church is lost"
Yes, that was better than the saloon, and
large heart and q broad mind will not
criticise any influence that tends to good i'll
this tempted world.-l'outh's Companion.
TEMPERANCE NEWS AND NOTES.
One man in six in the British Navy is
total abstainer.
The largest saloon in Dubuque, Iowa, has
been closed, and also tine principal brewery.
In Wichita, Kansas, it cost :. aloon.Keeper
| 1900 in one week for the glorious privilege OF
selling Intoxicating drinks.
General Won Moltke says that "beer is
far more dangerous enemy to Germany tnah
all the armies of France"
A woman in East London, who has been
committed over :30 times for drunkenness,
has Just died in police CELL Who Is re-
sponsible for this.
Our Consul GerAr., at Berlin reports to
the Secretary of State that certain brewers
IF Germany ''are exporting to the Onlted
States weiss beer adulterated with salicyllc
acid"
The Nashville Issue claims that the money
hat Tennessee pays annually to the WHISKY
;hops 1915, ,0OO OOW would meet all the regular
EXPENSES of the State for ten years. NASH
lille saloon receipts alone would carry on the
Government.
Gus Kidder, of Fort Dodge, Iowa, has been
ined $1,000 for violating the prohlbltory law.
". II. Colby, prominent business man, was
also fined $1,000 for allowing liquor to be SOLD
n a building owned by him, after An injunc-
Jon was granted.
Tho Washington Star says: After pain
'ul illness and in the prime of life ex-senator
Riddlchergcr died at his Virginia home. The
story of his career, with its neglected oppor-
lmities, is practical temperance lecture.
He was lis own worst enemy
The political strength of the 5000 liquor
dealers in New York city is estimated BY ONE
of their own leaders TO be not less than 4O,OOO
votes. The same authority says: I'm almost
| every county of the State there Is now a
liduor dealers association, ana we are all
pledged to vote together"
The Chicago Temperance Educational So
ciety has figured out that the average yearly
consumption of malt liquors in the United
States for each inhabitant was, for the year
1910, 1.3G gallons; for 1850, l.5S gallons; Tor
1860 3.ss gallons; for 1870, 6.6l gallons; for
| ZOO IA -, Gov 1SSS II 51 oQllons. for