Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1897-08-13
y. %. 8. Q. Column.
|. o. G. T. DIRECTORY OF ADD
SON COUNTY.
GOOD TEMPLARS' COURSE OF
STUDY.
IT is AND WHAT IT DOES.
Continued.

WHAT 1T is AND WHAT IT DOES.
Continued.
For many years the temperance move
ment was handicapped by the fact that
very few educated people were attracted
to it and that it did not possess much of
a literature. Its opponents were COM
PEELED to rely upon a presentation of the
experiences of themselves or Others as
victims of drink, and the oft quoted
dreadful example," the stock subject
of the temperance lecturer, was frequent
ly matter for ridicule on the part of
those who opposed total abstinence.
There were few statistics obtainable, and
few facts except the dreadful examples
numerous. Very little was known of
the evil save in its worse manifestations,
and many man who gave up his glass
in order to set good example for his
weaker brother, did so without realizing
that he himself had ever been in danger
The case is different today. Men emil
nent tor learning are enlisted in our
ranks, and we have literature unsur-
passed by any movement. Good materi-
al is at hand with which each may store
his mind and cultivate his intellect, and
we are surely to blame if we still remain
without the knowledge which will make
us more efficient and successful laborers.
The Good Templars course of study
offers to us a specific training for our
work. 1t furnishes us with an immense
array of facts and figures and argument,
the best kind of ammunition to use
against the foe. 1t promotes the vel
fare of our lodges, for in proportion as
the members become instructed they
will become more earnest and reliable.
Frivolity VIII be banished, because we
all shall realize that we are in the Order
for work and not for pastime. 1t helps
our juvenile work, because every think
ing, reasoning, educated Good Templar
must see that it is wisest to labor in the
direction which promises the best results
for the future And all the arguments
in favor of the education of temperance
workers apply with peculiar force to
those who labor for the young. They
have especial opportunities and have
especial need of the knowledge which
office of G.. 5. T. j. will agree with me
when ! say that one of the greatest hind
erances to the success of the juvenile
work is the lack of competent workers.
There are persons in every community
who would gladly take up such work
if they were not so painfully conscious
of their shortcomings. Said one 5. j.
7. to me when resIgnng her office, II
don't know enough to teach those
children"
1t is fact that the boys and girls of
the present generation have advantages
and opportunities such as their parents
never dreamed of. Educational methods
have been changed, improved and adapted
to such q degree that we find the little
folks acquiring knowledge with what APP
pears to US lightning rapidity. The
difficulties which dismayed our youth
full days have vanished from the path
trodden by the young student of today.
The awful problems oyer which we
toiled and wept are to him little more
than amusing conundrums. This is as
it should be; it is a part of the change
which the march of time is bringing.
But ii goes to prove that the plea made
by the good sister referred to above is
true one. Too many of our adult Good
TOmplars do not know enough to teach
the young. Children are very keen to
detect fraud Their bright eyes look
into the face of the would be instructor,
as if instnctively they were taking his
measure" Woe betide the unprepared
teacher when he meets that clear gaze
All pIetence of knowledge will crumble
away and leave behind nothing but
sense of defeat and humiliation.
To BE- CnHfiuucd