Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-03-02

Scientific instruction in Public Schools
Mighty Md to Temperance.

Mighty Md to Temperance.
Education is tho strongest lover that
can be used to stimulate tho moral ele-
ments into a reformatory activity.
The human mind has been likenod to
perpetual interrogation mark.
The innumerable Why's" of the child,
as its reasoning powers begin to unfold,
have overwhelmed parent and teacher
from time immcmorial. This innate
curiosity rs to the cause OF things, is the
foundation of knowledge, the parent OF
inventive construction, the promoter of
reform, and the discoyercr of hidden
scientific truths.
AS the awakened intellect begins to
grasp the meaning of the many problems
that confront it, and gradually arrives
at a satisfactory solution thereof, life
broadens ont in the grandeur Of its posi-
bilities. The quickened individual soul
recognizes its own needs, the needs of
others, and its responsibility IN minister
ing those needs Thoughts are generated,
that flow along the unseen electric cur
rents touching kindred souls with fire
from Gods own altar flame. -
Educational methods change to keep
tfntt " III Allt " JItItNHS Va
the age. The educators OF today have
been forced to recognize the dominant
power of reason, even in the formative
period of childhood The old time text
books have served their purpose and are
gone. Science and Nature have come, in
varied forms, to broaden and enrich the
youth of this era. Living thoughts take
the place of dead words. The reason
why is made manifest, and the cause
Of is so clearly demonstrated, by scien-
tific proof that there is no chance for
doubt or disbelief. one Of the subjects
that has quite lately been added to the
studies pursued in our public schools is
scientific temperance, an entering wedge
for the dethronement Of king alcohol and
his allies.
Twenty-onc years ago few devoted
women in the far West made desperate
by seeing those near and dear to them
helplessly enslaved by the drink demon
started out on a crusade against the
enemy that had transformed their loved
ones into helpless slaves, benumbing the
intellect, dcadenipg the affections still
ing conscience and dwar1ing the entire
being. Today we see the result in the
organized Woman 5 Christian Temperance
Union that has steadily worked it4 way
in our land, crossed the ocean to the old
world, and Joined the women ol all
nations and religions in one grand united
effort to save the children of men from
the habit of alcoholism and kindred evils.
During the years that have passed
much of good has been accomplished; the
aims and objects have multiplied and the
White RibboneIs' stand in the front
ranks of all efforts for the uplifting of
humanity, for its redemption from all
habits that defile the body. that paralyze
the brain, and that fill the alrushouses
and prisons with paupers and criminals
In the battle they have waged they have
found the enemy So strongly entrenched
by the Notifications OF habit that their
allied forces ofttimes could not prevail
against it. Then the reserve forces
brought up the educational lever to rescue
the generations yet to come.
Since 1881 by the unwearled efforts ana
executive ability Of Mrs Mary II. Hunt
Of Hyde Park, Mass, aud her co-workers
the legislatures of all hut four states in
the Union have passed laws making the
subject Of scientific temperance required
study in the public schools Text books
OF physiology and hygiene have been ro-
vised 70 meet This requirement.; they treat
Of the effects Of the Variuus narcotic poi
sons that undermine the human systcm
and forge the chains of habit about their
victims
The evil effects Of cigarette smoking
especially to the growing boy, the mower
Of the opium habit almost always ignor-
antly acquired the peculiar danger Of
tho alcoholic habit, taking away the
power Of self control and uniting fer
life's duties; rhe diseases that are liable
TO be caused by the use Of either tobacco
opium, or alcohol in their many forms
these are, today, part Of the knowledge
TO be acquired in our public schools. The
educational lever ID at work Its object
is tO raise up generation Of intelligent
temperate men and women. with healthy
bodies and clear brains; TO make them
monarchs over self; to fit them to cope
with all the vicissitudes Of life thus
ushering in the millennium when the
Divinity in humanity shall reign
triumphant in the earth and evil be over
come with good. MRS. T. ". SMITH
in the R0cElaud COut Ter C;azrtte