The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1894-07-18


1t Is not strange that the radicalism OF the
Woman's Christian Temperance Union Is often
called In question, for the reason that the
principles back of that radicalism are so lit
tie understood. Distinctions are being
clouded by the sophistry OF the hour. Men
and women profess to believe In temperanc' =.
and yet put wine on their tables and drink
socially before others to their harm, an
these moderate users OF alcoholic bevcrag,
insist that only excess is wrong. A poliilci
party may declare belief In temperance nu
morality, and yet stand for the perpetuation
OF the saloon by law. The high creed OF the
white ribbon sweeps far beyond these posi-
tions. We are more than temperance peo-
pie. We are total abstainers. That means
an utter Punishment from our lips and homes
OF any beverage of which alcohol is the cen.
ter, and with large majority of our women
1t means its banishment even as medicine.
This is not the result of prejudice marrow
and unreasonable, for years Of earnest study
have cleared away the mists, and science Is
with our position. Mary I. Lathrop.
ARcHDEAcoN FARRAR ON TOTAL ABSTINENCE.
Archdeacon Farrar, writing OF total absti-
nence In the British Workman, says
81 was not total abstainer till after l was
forty years old, because tho desirabilty of
setting the example had never been brought
home TO me. But from the day that 1 be-
came one, the total abstention from alcohol
ic liquor has never given me the smallest
trouble, nor caused me the least regret nor
would II cause any real trouble TO any
healthy man, who has always been moderate
and temperate, and had never fatally per-
suaded himself that drink was n necessity to
him. There are some 20 900 prisoners in
England, and from the day that they enter
prison no alcohol is allowed them. Do they
suffer In consequence? On the contrary,
they improve IN health.
1.-THE case, admit, is very difficult with
drunkards, and with all who have been born
with hereditary craving for drink. Absti-
nence is not so easy for those who even
without intoxication, have long been accus-
toned TO take drink in larger quantities than
Is good for them. / do not deny that the
resolute determination to give up drink al
together may cause such men a serious strug-
gle ; but a. the effort may be mitigated by
wise and moderate use OF tea, coffee, and
very hot water, slipping when the craving be-
comes strong; and (2) by keeping away
from every incentive and temptation to
drink. Further, the effort will become easier
every week that II is continued. Aud let ne
point out that whether the task be difficult
or not, these are the very men for whom the
effort is a matter OF the most elementary
necessity, OF the most initial safety. II
1t gives workingman no trou-
ble whatever to be an abstainer,
then the desirability OF setting much
needed example to others, and OF helping to
deliver his country from an intolerable
curse, ought, think, TO weigh with him.
II, on the other hand, ii cost him great
trouble, ifhe finds that he has an ugly and
increasing fondness for alcohol, then he may
be the very man for whom abstinence is most
essential. To him IL is q safeguard from a
peril which may utterly destroy his happi-
ness here, and may endanger the safety Of
his soul hereafter. To reclaim even an hab-
itual drunkard, though difficult, is not i'm
possible. In spite OF the difficulty, the fact
that confirmed drunkards-such rs John
Cough, the great temperance orator, once
| was-can be, and have been snatched like
brands from tho burning, even after they
have been seized by that awful disease OF
delirum tremens, which stands, like Gods
| executioner, In the path Of so many a drunk
ard, shows that man cannot be so far gone
as to be beyond the possibility Of rescue even
at the eleventh hour. II Is far easier for a
man to save himself (through Gods grace)
| by total abstinence, when he has not habitu-
| ally, still more when he has but rarely, sunk
| into the shameful helplessness Of actual in
| toxication. But the more difficult 1t is for
| any man to achieved his delverance, the more
obviously imperative is 1t upon him. for the
sake OF his country, for the sake of his or
| der, for his own sake, for the sake of his
| wife aud family, for the sake OF children yet
unborn. Any trouble which the effort may
cause him Is ten-thousandfold less trying
than the awful and immeasurable retributou
which may comeupon him By areckless con
tinuance in that which, after all, is nothing
higher than a sensual indulgence-harmless
| perhaps, IL not abused, but in no sens
harmless II 1t tends to become u ruin and
| snare