The Republican journal., 1892-11-10
Juvenile Temple Work.

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san W. c. T. U. Convention at Belfast,
Oct 20, by Mrs. E. l.. Bracket, of Bel
fast.
Mrs. PRESIDENT AND LADIES OF THE
CONVENTION: In response to an invitation
to present at this session, paper on our
local Juvenile Temple, l can find time to
prepare only short article, which will in
clude more of a general character than of a
local nature, as being more appropriate to
the occasion and better adapted to the
discussion of what | consider the most i'm
portant phase of temperance work to-
Iday-temperance education of the children
from general standpoint, and specifically
in the line of Juvenile Templary as
operated by the Good Templars.
With every year experience in temper
ance work it no doubt is shown to you, as
it has been to the older workers, that
while reformatory work is well, and must
not be overlooked in the great system, yet
it is in the line of prevention that we must
look for advancement and ultimate sue
cess. Where one can be reformed from
the drink habit, ten may be saved by pre-
vention. Setting aside a few minor
causes, the great primal cause of the al
most untold and ncalculable misery arts
ing from the use of Intoxicating liquors.
is habit. habit habit 1t follows then, if
the habit is not acquired the evils are
avoided. How then shall we endeavor to
cope successfully with the evil? Plainly,
by prevention and not by reformation.
1t is truly said the first dozen years of
a child's life is the habit forming period.
and no after education can eradicate or
entirely change the condti ms and i'm
pressons then formed. Here then, is the
solution of the whole temperance problem.
One generation OF correct temperance
habits among the children ensures a gen
Grafton of temperance men and women.
This is the true theory, for facts sustain
it's truth. Now then, to practical appli-
cation and the submission of working
stored with plans of wonderful palaces
and editices. but unless he can present his
working plans. whereby the tools and la
bors OF the workman may bring those
ideas into practical living form he is only a
visionary artist and a dreamer. and no real
good comes from all his knowledge SO
in this question of forming correct habits
and stamping the youthful, receptive
mind with right impressions, there must
be practical everyday work done. else the
beautiful theory is all worse than useless.
Fortunately we are not without plenty of
working plans, methods to follow which
experience has proven good and adapted
to the means of the hour and day.
Prominent and perhaps | may say in
the van. is our Juvenile Temple system
a plan for effective temperance work
among the children which is to-day in
operation in every country of the globe
where civilization is planted, and in any
community all that is needed are more
willing, able and consecrated workers to
make it the means whereby our nation
may stand pre- eminent as among the fore
most OF the world, a nation of compara-
lively temperate and temperance men and
women.
But when | say that what is needed are
more willing and consecrated workers. |
have struck the key note Many are need
ed, but few have heard and answered the
call. Thank God for the few-the pio-
neers-who have done grand work in the
face of many discouragements and much
opposition. work from which they have
already seen glorious harvests: but the
field is SO large and the opportunities 50
many that their efforts seem almost like
the minute kernel in the bushel of chatf.
lost to view, perhaps, but there neverthe-
less, and ready to produce large results
when the surrounding circumstances are
favorable.
Sunlight Juvenile Temple of this city is
an outgrowth and continuation of wears
Many have taken our triple pledge and
gone out into the world to make better men
and women because of the habit formed
or strengthened thereby. and to-day it
still lives and works, though it's members
are numbered by scores while they should
be hundreds. Some of its members are
with you as pages and ushers at this SEES
sion OF your convention. l bespeak your
earnest and hearty interest for Juvenile
Templary. Underi its watchword "Truth
Love and Purity" it not only instils in
the hearts the principles of christianity
and temperance, but it gives discipline
and education in various ways that can
be gained in no other system. Will you
ccme to the rescue of the children and let
your labors be in such an organized and
permanent form, as to ensure the great
est degree Of success? Think of this, and
let US carry back to our homes a deter