The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1895-08-23
WHAT IS SCIENTIFIC TEMPER
ANCE INSTR UCTION IN THE
SCHOOLS

THE Temperance essay published in
| the -BgiS several weeks ago as the es-
| say of Miss Alice Smallebeck of Bel
Air Academy was not her essay, but
the essay of one of the other competi-
| tors. The mistake was our fault en-
tirely, and we are sorry that it oc-
curred.-EditOr.
Following is the essay by
by Miss Smallsbeck which was award
ed the w. G. T. q. medal by the
judges.
The temperance question is to-day
agitating the whole civilized world
Our truest and nobest people of
both sexes are spending their time
and money for the promotion of the
temperance cause, that noble cause,
which with Gods blessing must con-
quer.
Intemperance is one of our country's
greatest foes which filings its darken-
ed shadow over our people, and the
nations peoples, blighting their fairest
prospects and demoralizing our people
both young and old. This curse does
not linger in one class of homes or in
any particular locality, but its ruinous
track extends from North to South,
from East to West, from the palace
and capitol to the hut where live the
very dregs of the people. 1t is in
temperance which reduces our people
to such poverty, intemperance which
sullies the purity of the home and
makes it place of hatred and strife,
intemperance which often hurries
men TO their graves, intemperance
which makes makes many men criIni-
nails.
Then should not every one do all in
their power to exterminate this fear
full evil?
1t will only be done by instructing
the young in temperance principles.
If the many thousands who yea Fly
fill drunkards graves, could rel tte
when they first began to drink beer,
cider, wine, or any other intoxicating
liquor, the majority of answers would
be, we learned the dreadful habit
our graves.
"The boy who forms good or bad
habits in his youth will be led by
them when he is old and will be mis-
cradle or happy accordingly"
Youth is the period in ones life
when they are most easily Influenced
whether for right or wrong. Those
that are to grow up temperate men
and women should be Influenced in
behalf of the temperance cause, should
be taught the dreadful results of in
temperance.
In school the pupils are instructed
in other principles that are to guide
them in their way through life, then
why should there not be a way to give
them temperance instruction.?
There are many different ways by
which temperance could be taught in
the schools.
The pupils can be taught the evils
of this curse, the suffering it brings
to humanity, how it impairs both the
body and the mind, how it levels its
victim with tn the brute, and at last
how the many millions of dollars
spent yearly in this country could be
put to a far better use.
How many of the horrible crimes
are committed by persons, under the
influence of liquor, who would shud-
der at the thought of such an act any
other time.
If every boy and every girl could be
taught to have the courage to say no
when tempted to drink how many
souls would be saved. God does not
send this curse, which carries desola-
ton to the souls as we'll as to the
bodies of men, even upon the guiltiest
of creatures.
Alas! this evil is self-infiicted.
Is there anyone SO lost to self-re-
spect that he can of his own free will
sink down to the level of a brute2
Nay. Every human being shrinks
from such a fate. Men begin to
drink when young and insensibly
drink more and more until they find
themselves plunging over the awful
precipice. st. Paul says regarding
meat, "If meat maketh my brother to
offend, will eat no meat while the
world stands
These words are equally true with
regard to strong drinks.
If every one will practice this in
their daily lives from youth up and
do all else in their power to help the
temperance cause, we shall some day
conquer, for Right and might move
hand in hand and glorious must their
triumph be-"