The Monitor-register., 1897-04-09
LETTER BOX.
THE GRAND Ola Man,

No more fitting heading, l think, can
be given to this notice of the exercises
last Sabbath afternoon at the Presby-
terrain Church by the W.. @. T. in 90
servance of the 93cd birthday of Neal
Dow. rs. Il. P.PaJJersun presided. Miss
Bernshouse read d Seriptural lesson. Miss
Abbott offered a feeling prayer. Duett
by Miss frankie Fogg and ID. r. Cruise.
Rev. q. Il. Senser said that Neal Dow,
known as the apostle of temperance, has
his profound reverence aud glad the
women OF WoodstoWn are to observe his
93rd birthday. This man still lives and
will live after his death, for a life like
his is never buried. His name is a house.
bold word. He has wrought wonders in
his way. There are many people who
are temperate and wish this organization
we'll, but never do anything TO help it
along. They never put their shoulder to
the wheel or ally themselves to the
cause and exert their strength. The first
revolution years ago developed the posi-
bilities of George Washington, the civil
war brought ouG the abilities of General
Grant. 1t is related that a suffering
woman called upon Neal Dow to tell him
that her house was d~esolute, that she
was in great want, but the saloon keeper
across the street took every penny her
husband got. For her sake she entreated
Mr.. Dow to go talk with the rum seller,
He did SO but the proprietor defantly
replied that he had a license to sell and it
was ~nobody's business to interfere. Neal
Dow resolved that by the help of God
that saloon Keeper should not continue
his ruinous business, and from that
moment be Ven to work. The speaker
hoped this grand good man would live to
be a c~entenarian.
Rev. j. L, Craig expressed the wish
that the life of Mr.. Dow couli be ex-
tended beyond a hundred years. 1t is
better, he said, to praise the living than
raise monuments to the dead. He was
glad to think he is yet living to receive
the congratulations of those who are
rising up TO call him blessed. The So.
preme question to-day is how we can by
the overw helming indignation of the
people sweep away this terrible curse of
intemperance. May God Bless this
union In this wosk and may oongratula-
lions 60 by the tens of thousands from
all the country to this great, grand old
man.
Rev. DR.. Collier felt that it must be a
glorious thing for Neal Dow to witness
the fruits of his work since entering into
the cause of temperance and prohibition.
He compared the customs in the past to
the state of society to dag. Formerly
men would not labor in the harvest field
without a supply of grog Now, no
liquor is taken to the field for the men to
drink. This great reformer paid no re-
gard to the opposition arrayed against
him. All sorts of obstacles were placed
in his way. He was assaulted by day
and by night. His buildings were several
times fired by his enemies. Notwith-
standing all these threats and dangers,
the nan went on till he canvassed the
whole State of Maine, and be has the
satisfaction of knowing that his native
state was the first in the Union to pro
hibit the selling of liquors. He has lived
in Maine who have never seen an intoxi-
Gated person. Neal BOWS watch word
is: Total abstinence for the individual
and prohibition for the state.
Mr.. Patterson remarked that political
influence nor partisan feelings existing
around the grand old man had not
affected his course in this line of refor
nation. He stands out to day like those
noble anti-slsvery leaders UGH IS William
Lloyd Garrison and Lucretia Mott. If
there is principal at the foundation of a
life work for good, if it has for its
object the upbuilding of humanity, if
there is an answering fidelity and cour-
ageous determination to hold fast, ue-
cess is sure to come at some period or
other.
The next meeting of the society will be
held at Friends Meeting house On the
first Sabbath in May. B. B.
Peach trees grown from hardy, natural
seed, hundreds Of miles distant from
districts affected with YelIOWs, have borne
seven consecutive heavy crops, and are
still healthy. Such trees for sale now at
Hedgefeld. Plant in April.