The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1891-06-19
STRONG DRINK.
Christianity the Only Thorough and Last
ing Remedy,

Christianity the Only Thorough and Last
ing Remedy.
! All the statistics that have been
| gathered by temperance organizations,
governments or individuals in regard
to the consumption q. strong drink in
our own and other countries have been
of the most discouraging character for
years And, Notwithstanding all efforts
that have been made to promote reform
by moral suasion, by restrictive and
prohibitory legislation, the evil is con-
stantly increasing.
In 1881 the consumption of beer was
800 gallons, and of spirits 1.3S gallons
per capita. In 1882, of beer 10. OF; of
spirits, lao gallons for every man,
woman and child in the United States.
In 1890 the quantity of beer consumed
gives 1896 gallons of beer for each in
habitant of the country and 1.4O gal
Ions of spirits. This would amount to
500, 792, 335 gallons of beer, which, with
the spirituous liquors used, must have
cost the consumers not less than $780,
600, 600.
In England, France, Germany, and
probably in almost all other countries,
the ratio of increase is equal to our
own. The revenue to both the govern
me nts of England and France from the
use of strong drink was larger by mil
lions of dollars in 1890 than for the pre-
ceding year
With the increase of the use of
strong drink, there has been CORE
spending increase of those crimes
| which result from it. A very large
proportion of the cases brought before
our criminal courts may be traced to
the use of liquor in some form. Our
jails and penitentiaries are filled with
men, many of whom were crazed by
drink when they committed the crimes
for which they are imprisoned Our
newspapers make daily records of as
saultS and melees, of rioting and kill
ing occasioncd by the use of liquor
No one can have an adequate concep-
ton of the poverty, misery and wretch
edneSs brought upon countless homes
all over our land by this foolish and
wicked drink habit.
Must this evil 90 on? Go on without
abatement, even increasing? Shall we
conclude that high license" is a fail
VI - anu IHCllCCllNC, anu
that we may as well allow the saloon
to have full sway? No, the battle for
prohibition must not be given up. The
work for reform must be pushed. The
vantage ground must be held. The
liquor evil, like all other evils, must
have its AppomattoX.
But it should be remembered that the
only really complete and effective rem
edy for the removal of this great evil
is the Gospel of Christ. For the grace
of God that bringeth salvation hath APP
peared to al men, teaching us that,
denying ungodly ard woldly lusts, we
should I've soberlv, righteously and
godly i'll this present world"
Any attempt to change the habits of
men or reform the drunkard while his
nature is left unchanged by the grace
of God, will result in failure As the
late DR.. Cumming once said: you
might as well attempt to deaden tree
by looping off few of the branches"
All thorough and complete reforma-
ton OF the man must begin at the
heart To Rightly reform the drunk
ard you must convert him. The Cos
pei Of Christ is the only element that
will transform society. 1t is the little
leaven that leavencth the whole
lump" Christian men do not traffic in
Intoxicating drinks nor patronize the
saloon, neither do they lie, or cheat or
swear good man may be ''overtaken
in fault" but sin is not the habit of
his life. If he commits any of them he
will repent. Where Christianity pre-
walls temperance will prevail. Godli-
ness and sobriety go hand in hand. The
man who is faithful in winning souls
to Christ is the best temperance re-
former. When the grace of God gets
possession of the heart the demon of
drink will be cast out.-United Pres
bytcrian