Griggs courier. (Cooperstown, Griggs Co., Dak. [N.D.]) 1885-1902, 1893-06-23

An acre in Middlesex is better than a
in Utopia. The smallest
actual good is better than the most
magnificent promises of impossibilities.
While some people are busy with try
ing to bring real help and present good
to their habit, chained falowmen, MANY
others employ themselves with the
discussion of Utopian plans and |
theories for removing TIE evils among
iacn. There are but very few, however,
who have zeal enough to try and put
their theories into action; and theories
that are not put into action are dead,
and haye never done the world any
good.
~
Much-doing Is not So important as
well.doing,"
Rest Island is the happy inbodment
of Il definite aad positive effort to bring
immediate good to helpless victims of
intemperance. Its founder, Mr.. John
G. Wooley, himself, but five years ago,
in his own words, ''was footserc,
homeless, helpless wanderar, cropping,
dazed and bruised and broken hearted,
in perfect chaos of loss and pain and
bankruptcy and shame" He was form.
erly y lawyer of Minneapolis. He be-
gan TO work for others as soon as he
was rescued from the degradation of
intemperance, and has spoken with
thrilling eloquence in Europe and in
this country. As practical means of
aiding those who are in the tolls ef the
liquo, demon he has established home
near Minneapolis which he calls Rest
Island. He says it is not an institution
nor IL resort, that there are no private
ends to gain, "no lots for sale, nor any
interests to promote, save only his who
offers rest to every weary, heavy-ladcn
man with faith enought to come apart
with him awhile" This retreat, made
sacred by the unsellish devotion to the
welfare and highest good of men. is in
Lake Pepin, Minnesota's finest sheet Of
water. Here is two hundred acres of
farm and meadow land, where Mr..
Wsoley has established national
mission, where he says: "Any drinking
man who wants to go in for clean
life may come and be at home until he
shall be strong and able to make an
honorable way in the world" Work in
summer is agricultural, in winter edu.
cational, with faithful instruction in the
bible. The plan is to help men 10 get
positions after they have broken the
chains of their bad habits"
**~
Saloon-keepers have given another
exhibition of the fiendish nature OF
their traffic in masculine Iowa, by
wrecking with the bomb of the anar-
chist three homes, the owners Of which
were doing their duty as citizens in en-
forcing the law. The saloons were all
closed at once and Gov. Boies pledged
himself to do all in his power to bring
the criminals to justice. The following
assertion from an exchange seems 10
contain the truth. "The rum devil is
digging his own grave with the claws
of lawlcssness.
~
''The Russian clergy has been order.
ed to preach against drinking"
-.
Principal Above Position.
A noble example of fidelity to princi-
pal in given by II prominent railroad
official in San Antonio, Texas. He
tried to help close the saloons Oh Sun.
day. Liquor dealers boycottcd his
railroad because they retained him. He
was tinally given the alternative by the
higher officials of the road, to resign
his position or retire from the Sunday
closing committee. He chose the
former. The law abiding people of the
place have declared war against the
saloons as a result. The temperance
question is gaming interest and sup.
porters with every day. Such declara-
tons of "war" are more frequent and
wide spread than the once were.
.*A
-Four hundred Thousand men are
under the influence of the railway
mission which teaches the principles Of
total abstinence"