The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-10-12
SCOPE OF THE NATIONAL TEMPER.
ANOE SOCIETY.
BY HENRY B. METCALF,
President of Universalst General Convention

The National Temperance Society,
while gratefully appreciating the noble
work for humanity wrought, since its
own organization, by contemporary asso-
Citations, feels constrained to recognize
and present the towering importance of
its own present duty and responsibility
It's mission has been developed on
lines materially broader than those OF
any kindred organization, and what it
has done in the past has practically Gre
ated its own responsibility for continued
labor. Strictly non-secterian and nom
partisan, and recognizing no distinctions
on account of age or sex, the National
Temperance Society has been, for thirty
years, public servant. toiling for the
public welfare and the public safety Its
entire record is testimony of intensely
practical work for humanity's sake, and
to that record it can the more proudly
refer because the personality OF it's work
has been, in so large measure, represent
ed by one who now rests from his earthly
labors. Because it's stewardship, under
his brave and tireless leadership, has
been both faithful and successful, it
confidently claims, and has right to
expect, that its constituency, lovers of
God and humanity, will not only supply
it's present needs, but will go enlarge it's
facilities that it may adequately meet the
constantly growing demand upon it's SER
vice.
AS incident to it's past labors, it has
acquired an equipment for future work
such as no temperance organization in
the world has ever before possessed, but
the practical value of that equipment is
contingent upon the ability of the Soci
ETY. to apply it where it is most needed
That equipment consists in part of more
than 1000 publications of temperance
literature, books, pamphlets, and tracts,
with stereotype plates thereof, all Of a
high order OF excellence. These can be
supplied at very low price. can be made
of incalculable public benefit, and ought
to have enormous distribution.
The National Temperance Society has
greatly stimulated the scientific and &c
onomic study Of the temperance problem
and it's publications of the results there
of are recognized all over the world as
authoritative. The Importance of this
class of work is greatly appreciated by
all thoughtful students of sociology and
reform.
The Society, because of the breadth
and character of it's work, is under rela
tions to the leading temperance organi-
cations of the principal European ma
tions highly favorable to cooperative
work. Hereby its influence has become
world wide.
The Society, largely through the mu
nifcence of the late James Black, Esq,
OF Pennsylvania, is owner Of what is
probably the finest temperance library
in the world. This can be made of i'm
mense value to students il it can be
placed and arranged 30 as to be avail
able.
The Society has always enjoyed init
mate relations with the Sons of Tenn
perance, Good Templars, and other ten
perance orders, and as it believes itself
to have been helpful to them in the past,
it may properly expect their continued
confidence.
The Society's conventions and mass
meetings have for thirty years enlisted
the best strength of the worlds reform
ers, and have been a mighty power for
righteousness.
The Society's mission among the freed
men, if that were it's entire work, would
abundantly justify every claim it may
make for confidence and support. The
nations safety requires not only that
this work shall be continued, but that
it shall be greatly enlarged and extended.
The Society is ready and we'll prepared
to meet this requirement, provided only
that it can be financially supported
therein. 1t can do this work very eco
nomically, at an expenditure surprising
ly small compared with its immense and
certain benefits. The Society knows
that this work ought to be prosecuted
with great vigor, on very broad scale,
and it is very desirous to perform this
duty if it can be supplied with the means
to do 30.
The Board of Managers of the Nation
al Temperance Society are conscious
that they have accepted position as
stewards of their fellow citizens. They
have right to claim that their work
shall be supported according to it's
worth. They know that large amount
of money ought to be expended in the
effort to abate the curse of intemper-
ance. They insist that it is the duty. as
we'll as the interest, of all good citizens
to attend to this matter. If they are
supported by their constituents they can
safely promise grand work for God and
humanity.
PAwTUcKET, r. l.