The morning call., 1892-01-25
TOTAL ABSTINENCE.
A "League of The Cross" Formed
10 Promote 1t.
Beginning of Great Religious Movement to
Combat Drunkenr ess-Fathar Mcnt-
gomery at the Helm.

vigorous blow in the cause Of temper
ance was struck yesterday by Rev. Father
Montgomery, Chancellor of the Catholic
Archdiocese, who addressed two large con-
gregatiOns at the morning services in St.
Pau's Church in advocacy of the League Of
the Cross. The fruits of his efforts were
reaped in the afternoon, when, at a special
meeting held in the Suuday-school, he adj
mlnIstered the temperance pledge to sew
eral hundred boys and youths between the
ages OF II and y, and also enrolled a num-
Der of adults in the two classes Of which
the league is composed.
The reyerned gentleman took for his text
IN his morning discUurses the words: HE
that neglected his own household hath de-
MED the faith and is worse than an intiiel"
lie defined his attitude and the attitude Of
the league on the temperance question ID
almost the very language of his public ut
terances in the cause. 1t is not one
OF opposition to any class or set Of
men, nor in opposition to the manu-
facture or sale Of intoxicating drinks
but solely to the abuse of the traffic. After
charging on this point to show the extent
OF that abuse and the catalogue of evils
arising from it lie then introduced the sub
Ject Of the new organization, explained Its
objects and courted the corporation of the
congregation in tuTthering It's ends.
OBJECTS OF THE LEAGUE.
The movement. he said, is started to pro-
tect the household, and to enable fathers
and mothers to protect their children. Par
ents are careful to secure good sewerage for
their houses. good air, good food good wa
ter-eYerything, in fact, conducive to good
health. The League OF the Cross wants to
assist them in combating the evil which
causes more desOlatiOu than the neglect OF
all the other essentials to good health added
together.
The speaker divided drunkards under two
heads, those who acquired the taste and
those who inherited it, Citing statistics he
showed that there was very little hope Of
etfecting permanent cure IN either class
Not % per cent of confirmed dluukaTds
were turned from their downward progress.
Medicine is entirely inadequate TO effect
cure, That is the testimony of the leading
medical men in the country. 1t IS only the
charlatan VINO, for his own selfish ends,
states differently. But it is admitted that
moral suasOn, practical religion and medl-
cal treatment combined dc, in many cases,
effect the desired eud-medical treatment
alone never.
To stop the downward tendency Of human
nature by removing the source Of tempta-
ton Is 10 be the principal feature OF the
crusade and it is TO be hoped and believed
effect that much desired result.
MEDICAL TESTIMONY.
One significant fact which Father Mont
gOmery used with effect in his argument
was this: In the September num-
Der Of the North American Review, he said,
an article appeared over the names OF four
OF the leading physicians IN the country in
d0rsing the statement that drunkenness was
an incurable disease-that il was an ailment
which would not yield to medical treatment.
| In October, the month following, an article
/ in reply appeared in the same monthly over
| the signature Of gentleman who took up
| the cudgels in behalf Of the new remedy
! which is being so much talked about. lie
admitted that he had been a drunkaTd for
years, but claimed that this remedy had Ell
/ fected a permanent cure in his case as
| we'll as in others that he knew or.
| The man was evidently honest in his
convictions or he would not have
subscribed his name to the article.
His testimony appeared TO be complete
| refutation in his case Of what the physi-
clans claimed. But one month later, be-
fore the November number Of the lerlOd-
cal was issued, this man had been con-
signed to a drunkaTd's grave.
RULES AND REGULATIONS.
In describing the objects Of tie organiza-
ton Father Montgomery explained that it
had tie tWO-fOd purpose OF promoting tenn
porauce and total abstinence. Its govern
ment shall be by an executive committee
and parOchial branches, the committee to
consist of his Grace the Archbishop, a
sriritual director Of the league and two
repres entatives from each parish in the city
Of San Francisco, who shall meet at the
new Cathedral on the third Friday in eacn
month. To this committee IS delegated the
duty Of forming branches and In other ways
promoting the objects Of the league
ANY person over the age OF IA may be-
come member Of any Of the parochial
branches. There will be no fees OF any
kind. it being ext ected tGat the public will
subscribe TO the movement with sufficient
liberality to provide for all necessary eX-
ptuSCs.
The total abstinence pledge is of two
kinds. BY the first all persons between IA
and q wears of age promise 10 abstain from
all Intoxicating liquors and from visiting
places where liquor Is sold until they reach
the age Of p; also 10 discourage As far as
possible the habit Of drinking in saloons.
BY the second pledge all persons over II
promise total abstinence from intoxicating
liquors for a specified term Of months or
years at their option, also that they Will
never send child to places where liquor is
sold and that they will discourage the habit
Of drinking in saloons.
HISTORY OF THE MOVEMENT
There is also a partial pledge in which
those who are unwilling 10 bind themselves
saloons, not to treat or be treated not 10
send their children where liquor is Sold and
10 discourage the habit Of visiting saloons.
The League OF the Cross was first insti-
tutcd in England about ten years ago by
Cardinal Manning and the English Bishops.
1t was introduced here about a year ago by
Archbishop Rordan, who eXacted promise
from all whom lie confirmed to practice
total abstinence until their majority.
TO make the good work more general the
present plan was adopted and already
branches have been formed at ST. Peters
Church, Twenty-Iourth and Alabama
streets; 81. Charles, Eighteenth street;
Sacred Heart Fell and Fillmore streets; ST.
james. Guerrero and Twenty-thiId streets,
and ST. Paul's, at which yesterday crusade
was preached.
The above represents little more than a
months work. Already about 700 boys
have been enrolled and at each meeting
fresh recruits are ilocking in. As soon rs
all the parishes have Joined in the move
ment branches will be formed for the men
and war against intemperance will be wagrd
all along the line under the banner Of the
League OF the Cross"