The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1890-11-28

and at which, with other society people,
were many of her fellow church mem
bers, wines were served with the re-
freshments, and herself and two others
were the only abstainers.
Not long ago five young gentlemen,
amateurs with good voices were invited
by lady, distinguished as a society
woman, to one of her brilliant, popular
entertainments. They sang for their
hostess and her other guests, and were
proffered with the refreshments sever
al kinds of wine and hampaign. Ono
of the young gentlemen is pledged alb
stainer. the others do not ordinarily
take wine, but on this occasion, strong
ly urged by their hostess, took it. Tho
one, pleading his pledge taken in boy
hood, was finally excused and took no
wine.
These incidents are but types CT
many of kindred import in connection
with social life to-day. They reveal an
urgent need, in the way of Temperance
education, in section OF society, which
is most inadequately met. The young
men, and the young women, of many
wealthy families, of fashionable ten
denotes, are almost wholly without
! Temperance instruction. Many pleas
are made for the neglected poor, but
there are also the neglected rich. For the
ordinary Temperance agencies they havo
feeling either of Indifference or con-
| tempt. They must, however, be reached
in some way, if social drinking is ever
to be generally discredited, and tho
| 1t. l. l. 4@ la 81 al
suppressed.
In the sphere of society drinking,
such as we have referred to, members
of Christian churches have large
measure of responsibility. Wealthy
church members, especially in cities,
do much to give tone to society. If they
furnish, and partake of, wines at their
society entertainments, of course wine
drinking will dominate with those who
are more worldly in their tastes and
habits. Pastors, too, are involved in
this responsibility. Many there are,
the vast majority outside of cities, who
are on all occasions exemplary, con-
scientious total abStainers. But it is
also lamentably true that there are yet
many, in cities, who do not hesitate to
join with their wealthy parishioners
and others in taking wine, lin modera-
ton of course" on social and festive
occasions.
In recent years public attention, in
connection with the Temperance re-
form, has been largely turned in the
direction OF Temperance legislation and
Temperance politics. While this has
been going on, and we do not by any
means deem it unnecessary or unim-
portant, the young people have been
growing up almost wholly without Tenn
perance teaching of any kind, without
the pledge, and as consequence are
now perpetuating in their turn the So
cial drinking habits Of their elders.
In England much effective Temperance
educational work has been and is being
done, in especially influential social
circles, through the medium of the par
lor and the drawing-room. Might not
the drawing-rooms, especially Of we'll
to-do Christian people, on this side OF
the Atla4tiec. g.. be made to render kin.
abstinence in society here? And in
this needy sphere well-chosen Temper
ance literature may be made most help.
full The printed page may often pene-
trate and arrest thoughtful, sympathet-
ic attention, where the living voice
would be deemed obtrusive and unwel-
come. Whisky and beer will hold their
sway in the slums, while wine contin-
ues its reign in the parlor and palatial
dining-hall. Abstinence alone will re-
generate boeh.-National Temperance
Advocate