The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-04-01
THE ADVANTAGES oy TOTAL ABSTINENCE.

For the last fifty years the great question
that has occupied the minds Of Christian
men, has been the liquor question. This ts
to be my subject this evening, not forgetting,
friends, however, that it has teen subject
that has been thought upon and talked upon
by the most prominent men Of the day, but
seemingly without avail, such strong bold
has it upon the nation. Nevertheless, the
fight still goes on, and I hope some day that
we shall see temperance triumphant. There
is not drunkard In the world who will not
say, and say with a sigh, Il wish ! never
knew what drink WASP Now the great ques-
tion IS what is the best thing to do, under
the present circumstances II we 60 back
number of years and look over the record OF
the penal institutions Of this country or Eng
land, we shall find that according to the sta
tistics no less than eighty-nine per cent. OF
the crimes that have been committed can be
traced to strong drink. Now, gen.
tlemen, I don't think the majority Of
people really understand this shocking state
Of things. Let me give you an example.
There are, in round numbers, 700 men In this
institution. Now, according to statistics, Il
be seventy-seven men here! sthis not truly.
q condition of things that every man and
woman should think deeply upon? Why do,
men drink? have heard that asked, but 1
never knew an habitual drinker who could
give sensible answer. A sister, mother, or
perhaps wife, will ask, John, why do you
drink so, and make snch fool Of yourselfr,
The answer will befour times out Of five, II
don't know and another will be, 'Oh, be-
cause all the other fellows drink, and they
would think it queer if didn't" or driven
to it by tronble Of some description" The
last answer, and that only, is what you may
call an excuse, and that is nothing but weak
ness, and the man who tries to drown his sor-
rows and trouble in drink, might easily have
been saved if he I'd friend to say word
Of encouragement to him. l am afraid we
don't all of US know the value Of
an encouraging word. 1t is surpris-
ing how it will help man when he is going
down hill. remember young man who,
when about to leave here. was asked by
friend, who am glad to say, is a member
of this society, If he was going to drink when
he got out. II guess So" said he; II cont
think 1 could resist it." We'll" said his
friend, do you like itr' After thinking.
moment he said, "No." Then he asked il he
needed it physically, and if he was not better
In health while here without it? He then
said, Frank, never thought of that before.
am going out tomorrow or next day, and
Isay now that shall not touch drop" and
as far as I know he has kept his promise 30
you see, gentlemen, that little argument
and q few words Of reason are not always
lost.
So it seems to me the great thing is, ITO
get att the young men and tell them the
curse that liquor has brought upon men, and
get them to seek the company Of temperate
men, and spend their leisure hours music
ally, or in the company Of ladies'; and I
am sure If they do they will be better en-
tertained than in a bar-roon.-P. II. Con-
nnrS.