The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1897-03-31
THE GRE AT DESTROYER.

Drunkenness Is still 81 common that 90.
caslonally Temperance workers feel inclin ,d
to despair. 1t may be worth whilo to glance
at the history OF one drinking customs, foi
without some Inowle lge OF causes we can.
not hope to remove effects
1t would bs poor explanation OF treo
that said nothing o Its roots. Drunkenn asl
Is deadly tree with many roots, deep an
old.
Starting with tho early British inhabi-
tauts OF this country (Eaglan y, we ind they
knew how TO maze three forms OF strong
drink-(D metheglin, or mead, which Is
mado from honey; (2) ale. which Is ma 10
from grain; (3l cider, which Is made OF
appl 3. An old historian, Dlo iorus, says OF
these Britons; "rheir ordinary driuk was
water, Upon extraordinary occasions they
drank kin1 OF termentel liquor made OF
barley, honey or apples, aud when intoxl-
cuted never failel to uuurrcl.H
The British had houses, in which travellers
might mud shelter for themselves aud their
horses. ThesA were really inns
The Itomans entered Britain in 49 and re-
manned about $50 years. They introduced
wine to the natives, and the use OF the sign
boari, which was a BUSH
After the Romans withdrew, the Saxons
conquered great part of the island. They
were great drinkers, and often got drunk
upon mead, which an old poet describes as
"a friend to the lips aud a foe to the llfe"
We can scarcely understand now the savage.
coarss brutality OF those Saxons.
On one occasion they proposed to make q
treaty OF peace with Vortlgern by feast
The Saxons made their British guests drunk,
aud each drew his knife and killed his man.
Three hundred British nohles are said to
have been slain in a state OF intoxication on
that occasion.
The Danes made Inroads next upon the
Saxons. The Danes were, IL possible, more
terrible drunkards than the Saxons them
selves.
We know from various sources TO what a
dreadful state the country was reduced by
drunkenness. In 569 a synod was hell by
the bishop, ST. David, to enact new cauons,
so as to repress drunkenness.
These canons more than thirteen hundred
years ago spoke In no uncertain way. They
decreed; "He who forces another to get
drunk out OF hospitality must do pennnce, as
1.-The had got drunk himself; but he who out
OF hatred or wickedness, In order 10 disgrace
or mock others, forces them to get drunk,
must do penance as n murderer OF souls"
About four hundred years later the great
Dunstan found time TO devise the peg-tan-
kard, In order to stop dI dIunkenness and quar-
rleing. But 1t failed.
This brings us practically TO the time OF
William the Conquerer. and here we may
pause.
Clearly drunkenness is no new thing. II
is not only as old rs England, but 1t Is "a part
OF English custom and character. 1t got
possession OF our forefathers, when their
choice OF beverages was very small, and
when scientific knowledge OF food and drink
had not come TO them.
This scourge OF drunkenness arose from
mans need OF something TO drink, and II
spread by his carelessness and ignorance, till
II became the giant custom which carrie
destruction everywhere.
Our great lesson from this very brief out
line is that drunkenness must be fought by
these homely means which provides for mans
wants and change our social customs, no
less than by moral enthusiasm and religious
faitb.-Rev. Dennis Bird.