The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1896-05-13
A SURVEY OF MODES OF WORKING.


America gave birth to the first perma-
ment Temperance Society OF modern times.
1t has taken, however, mighty and per-
sistent effort, first to bring to the sun
light the idea that reform in this dlrec-
ton was really needed, and secondly to
select the modts operandt that might
prove the most effective. 1t is Of the
several efforts IN their varied phases we
would speak in this article, indebted for
many of the historical statements TO Rev.
William H. Daniels comprehensive work
on Temperance Reform. All efforts were
based upon the principle "Alcohol is
criminal aud as such We can claim the
full protection of the law against its
ravages." AS far back as 1887 the name
Of Neal Dow appears leader in Names
prohibitory law. This law and its leader
have been for years honored household
words. 1t provided for the establishment
of an agency for the sale of pure liquors
for medicinal purposes. The sale OF in-
toxicants as beverages was prohibited.
| This law and its reflex Influences acted as
leaven which set working patches of re-
formatory legal movements in the South
and West as well as in New England.
Temperance Laws, like Temperance
Planks in political platforms, being rather
uncertain, shaky ground upon which 10
build hopes or repose confidence, the next
assault; upon King Alcohol was by means
of Temperate" Society. The members
of this society resolved not TO drink more
than was good for them, and not TO
furnish liquor to others on ordinary oc-
casions, either at the table or in the field
Connecticut led in this movement, with
upward of 200 respectable farmers in
league against the presence of rum at
huskings or blowing matches. Snch
reform would seem but weak affair now,
but then it was taken as an infringement
Of rights, TO be resisted, by petty annoy
ances. In short, these reformers were In
many instances martyrs 10 the cause. In
1926 the American Temperance Society
was organized with fetal Abstinence as
| its corner stone. Now VIC find the travel
| ling temperance advocate and lecturer in
the field, going everywhere enlisting tho
sympathy of the people and organizing
auxiliary societies. About this time the
first distinctivcly Temperance Newspaper
was established in Boston called the "Nd-
| Gonal Phildntiropist. In 1910 the
| Washingtonan Movement was started. II
became famous on account OF its novelty,
being a rebellion of the subjects of King
| Alcohol against their King. Six hard
| drinkers in Baltimore sent two OF their
number as a committee to hear famous
| temperance lecturer who was announced
for that evening. The committee brought
| back d favorable report both as TO speaker
and doctrine. warm discussion arose:
| the landlords denouncipg the whole thing
| in strong language, only added fuel to the
flame, and il resulted in the reform of six
men, and their organization into Wash
| ngtonian Total Abstinence Society.
They held nightly meetings and soon
| began TO attract attention. To hear men
| like themselves, uneducatcd, dressed In
plain clothing, speaking 10 large audi.
ences with convicting power and elo-
auence was a nel0 thing, eand the COM
mon people heard them gladly" Drunk
ards by thousands signed the pledge.
There was no religious feature in this
movement, and yet revivals OF religion
were its direct outgrowth. The greatest
work that Andrew, the apostle, ever did
was the bringing OF Simon Peter to the
| Lord one OF the greatest works wrought
by this Washingtonian movement was
the giving TO the people OF this land
John b. Cough, the temperance apostle.
Rescued on the brink of a suicides grave,
he consecrated the remainder of his life
to tho Temperance Work. His eloquence
was forcibe, especially effective in the re-
countal OF his personal experiences.
Every lecture of his upon whatever sub
| ieet would sooner or later be Temper.
ance Lecture. After this came the forma-
ton Of Orders of Temperance, containing
something Of the Masonic element-as
"The Good Templars' Order" etc. The
motives foremost in these orders were,
''first be reclaimed yourself, then assist in
| saving others.
The origin OF the Crusade movement
stands next; II successful siege against
the liquor vender, carried on by women.
Because of their importantly, the prom
ises of Holy Writ were verified they
became instrumental in depriving legons
| OF beer barrels Of their heads in closing
the doors of scores OF saloons, the owners
in many instances being glad to sing IL
yield, yield, l can hold out no more. :"
| These crusaders endured perils by night
and perls by day, not the least being in
cafceraiions 10 jails for fanced violations
| OF municipal laws, but Paul and Silas like,
they praised God in the prison. The
| crusade movement lasted for long time.
| in fact it is still in existence in another
form known as the Women's Christian
| Temperance Union, which has maintain
ed itself for a number OF years Ia the face
OF discouragcmenls, a living exemplifica-
| ton Of the Survival Of the fittest. Being
the direct outgrowth of prayer, it rests on
the rock bottom promises OF Holy Writ;
its watchword salvation through risen
| Redeemer; its work an onset in ellis
Nance; its inspiration the doctrine
taught by him when upon earth, "lnas-
much as we have done 1t unto one OF the
least of these, ye have done il unto me. E"
When the name Gospel became associat-
cd with the word Temperance, new power
appeared. Scores of noble women OF all
denominations of religious faith joined
hands with w. G. r. U. There is
nothing narrow in its curriculum, embrac
ing as it does so wide territory: Tenn
perance Literature, the Lecture Field,
Gospel Prayer Meetings, Open Air As
semblages, Mothers Meetings, Temper
ance Restaurants, Inns on Total Absti-
nence Principles with reading rooms and
other helpful features, extended efforts
among the youth OF our land, also the
work Of peiitioning legislative halls and
municipal authorities, etc, all the while
praying, spreading the petitions Oft scorn
ed by man, "dressed in little brief au
thoriy" before higher tribunal, in some
little upper room-wiih words like these
as security, "Ask and it shall be given
unto you" SAT the BEGINNING Of thy
applications, o Daniel, the command
ment came forth, and I am come to show
thee"
During the years of its organization
the w. G. Il. U. has been like the steady
glow Of the lighthouse, lending rays to
many struggling one wrecking soul md
body on the rocks Of darkness and sin,