The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-03-06

REV. GEORGE Fl. VIBBERT, of Massachu-
sets, talked to a large audience, Tuesday
night of last week, in the Disciple Church.
After description of a great meeting of
the United Kingdom Alliance in Manchester,
England, planning for temperance because
the people were enjoyed by profound con-
Germ" at the evils of intemperance, Mr.
Vibbert urged that there is division in ev-
cry community, the majority Indifferent and
inactive, though they acknowledge that
Intemperance is an evil, and few who
are troubled and concerned, and therefore
active and vigilant. The evils are so tre-
mendous that all men ought to be troubled.
l. The drain upon material resources.
ST. 2OO, 900 in the U. s., $50, 900 600 in Ohio
$4,000 in Ravenna, worse than wasted, for
drink!
dollar, all money is a'sacred trust, to be
used, not for selfish and personal gratifca-
ton, but for development of manhood and
wOmanhOod for home and good learning,
and books, and art, and music, and to lift
souls heavenward. Expenditure for liquor
and tobacco is not only wasteful, it is wicked.
2. 100000 men die drunkards each year;
100000 women's hearts ache, and bleed, and
break. 100000 or 100000 children are de-
prived of food and clothing and home peace
We ought to hate the curse, and destroy it.
This is merger and imperfect resume of
an address which Mr.. Vibbert hoped would
be useful and inspiring.
The lecture Wednesday night in the Dis.
ciple Church was heard by good audience.
The theme was, ''What shall we do for the
Drinker?"
The questions which have permanent i'm
portance for the wisest and best people are
social questions. What can be done for the
poor, the criminal, the suffering, the lost?
If we are of heathenish spirit, we will not
care; if we are of Christian spirit, we shall
| be deeply concerned for answer to "What
shall we do for the drinker?'
1. The old-fashioned, hard, Christian
| method of personal persuasion and influence.
Christ will accept no substitutes He wants
more than talk, and money, and prayer; He
wants US. The drinker feels that no man
cares for him. He needs kindly hand ,and
to feel the beating of loving heart.
2. Every church should have temper.
ance committee of tender-hearted, sensible
men and women, whose duty it is to warn
the drinker, persuade the drunkard, carry
help and healing to the drunkard's family,
and stir the community to profound interest
in the temperance reform. They must use
good judgment, tact, discretion, or they will
| lose their man.
3. We must set the example of total alb.
stinence. The moderate drinkers example
is harmful as an influence helping to make
drinkers and drunkards. How can Chris.
tlan sing "Am L Soldier of the Cross" and
yet be unwilling to give up liquor and tobac.
co, for the sake of a weaker brother?
4. We must open counter attractions to
the saloon. Where can a lonely, homesick
young man go to spend his evenings? No
Y. NJ. C. A. parlors, no reading-room or
public library, but ten saloons to lure him
with warmth and light, and cheer and com
panionship! 1t is wonderful that so few
young men go to the bad 1t would be profit.
able for business men to keep open attract
i've, cleanly rooms for the young people and
strangers.
The Good Samaritan was sensible. He
would not only help the wounded man, but
If the robbers victims were numerous, he
would go with his neighbors and clear the
road of robbers!
We must shut the saloons, remove the
temptations, and SO make the street safe
We must prevent the making of drinkers
and drunkards.
Thursday night, in the Methodist Church
to the largest audience of the week, Mr.Vib
bert spoke on edo saloons pay? Ought
Christian community to tolerate saloons?'
There are low, disreputable, and high-ton
ed, respectable saloons. The more attractive
and beautiful, the more dangerous, as they
attract respectable young men who may be
gin to drink amid agreeable surroundings
but who would never learn to drink If they
could get liquor only in low saloons. Sa
\ looms do not pay the drinker. His blood i
poisoned by the liquor, and his powers O
resistance to disease, and shock, and acci
dent, and to extreme heat and cold, are les
sened and destroyed. The death rate of tota
abstainers is from seventeen to twenty-Lin
per cent lower than that of moderate drink
erS.
Saloons do not pay a community. Th
saloon keeper collects the taxes. For ever,
dollar had in tax or license fees, it costs tn
community about twenty one dollars, accord
ing to Carroll D. Wright, the eminent stats
tician.
The $50, 900 which saloons get in Ravenna
yearly, if properly used would go to farme
and trader. The saloon is the enemy of al
legitimate business.
The saloon does not benefit the Home. Al
the essential foundations of we'll orderet
and permanent home life, industry, economy
love, religion, are threatened, rotted, des
troyed by drink.
No community should tolerate the saloon
ALI people should hate it, pray against il
work against it, vote against it.
Friday night, at the Universalist Church
fewer people gathered, but larger proper
ton of men. The attention was Intense ant
will be wIde-spreading.
Mr.. Vibbert continued his arraignment O
the saloon.
l. 1t harms the saloon keeper. In tn
long run, liquor is not profitable in money
Liquor sellers hPEe less property to leave t.
their families than any other class of bust
ness men. God has ordained that no bust
ness harmful to His children can be fnan
cially prosperous. That is the rule, though
there are apparent exceptions.
Liquor selling shortens life of liquor sell
ers. Their death rate in Great Britain i
higher than the average death rate Twenty
seven insurance companies refuse to insur
the lives of saloon keepers. The risks ar
too great. The saloon keepers character
impaired. He cannot keep tender, a gen
erous, a neighborly, fraternal heart in hi
breast. Liquor selling is more demoralizin
to the character than liquor drinking.
Saloons lower the price of real estate nea
h,r