The Monitor-register., 1897-03-12
An Annaal.

Sir-In conversation with a prominent
physician few days ago on the subject
Of the apparent apathy of many iu regard
to the temperance question; in view of
the awful suffering endured by those who
have fallen a-prey to appetite for strong
drink. he made remark to the writer
which, coming as it did from a man of
few words, made a deep impression and
led your correspondent to make this
appeal to your readers. 1t was this:
That it would be utterly surprising could
it be known how many young men from
good families came to his flee and
implored him to cure them of the awful
appetite that controlled them, at the
same time threatening him that if he did
not cure them they would put an end TO
their lives.
Have we heard of so many of such
cases that our hearts cannot bs tou ched
with practical sympathy and help for
those who are weak and tempted, and
perhaps are struggling against an
inherited appetite that the world knows
not of?
We hear of one young man after
another having formed this awful habit,
and, having once gotten within the
clutches of the octopus, experience shows
that it is next to impossible to be freed
from it.
Will not the people of this city do
something to make it easier for the young
to do right and more difficult for them to
do wrong.
Can it be that men aud women of in
f1uence have sunk to such a low level
that in order selfishly to indulge thei.
own appetite to a moderate extent they
will place temptation before their chill
dren and friends, who, it may be, will
trace to them their downward course by
the offered wine cup at their tabls9
Are there no patroits in these daysP
Are the hearts of people generally SO
hardened that they can sit uumoved in
their ease and luxury and see 8 and hear
the cry of those in the tolls of this ser
pent, this most tireess emissary of the
devil, who has planned in secret session
to ruin every boy that 1t can possibly
reach by treats and fIe, checks upon the
gilded saloons
Those whose doors have never admitted
drunken father or brother, perhaps do
not taAe time or pains 10 enier into
sympathy with those who, of all the
people in our midst, are the greatest
sufferers; the mem bers of family who
for years have lovingly tried to shelter
from public vie W the sins of father or
brother, or perhaps mOlher or sister.
Could those who consider they have
darkened homes of both rich and poor;
could they hear the cry of the young man
who realizes for the first time he is in the
power of the enemy and has laid the
foundations of disease the symptoms of
which are wild craving for alcohol, till
it seems as if the demons of the bottom.
less pit had conspired TO pull him down,
no matter how he struggled against it.
Could they but see the agony of that
mother as she helps TO drag into his
home at midnight the wreck of her once
beautiful boy. Ga, could you hear the |
pleadings of that faithful sister, the |
self denals ano the So ubterfuges of the |
whole family to protect from the cold |
of the world that son and |
brother, perhaps then your heart might |
become softened and you would ask the
question, Is there anything can do?
Are you sure it was not at that party |
you gave some time ago that that young |
man got his first taste OF wine which led |
him to take his second and his third, and
so on until his will and his self-control |
was gone and the life.loDg work of a
faithful mother and sister brought to
naught Are you sure that you never
treated That yonng business man one day
when you were snxious to secure him as
} customer ?
Young ladies', are you responsible fol
he torrures OF that young manp Ah!
Tou pass him by now without speaking
-you used to court his attentions! We're
7ou (thoughtlessly it may have been) the
irst one to giTe him a start on his down.
ward roade
stop a moment. beg Of You, and re
olive that sou will never take that risk