Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1897-01-29
y. %. 9. Q. Column.
CIDER.

practically settled, cider, especially
among young people, is an open issue.
Argument makes very little difference
with any question, but word or two of
suggestion may be helpful.
The fact is that cider fresh from the
press is the stumbling block for nearly
every young person and when they I'M
derstand the position of Good Templary
there will be no more trouble. To be-
gin with, the meaning of the word
"cider' in the pledge stumbles some of
us. While undoubtedly it refers to the
hard cider, and we know it is that which
intoxicates, the apple juice direct from
the press has the same name, always has
had and always will have. AS long as
the word is used in the pledge and we
swear our allegiance to it, we are dis
honest to ourselves and to our fellow
man when we drink new cider.
Again, if there is degree of gratif-
cation IN new cider for the drunkard,
must theresnot be more or less of the
ingredient lurking within the glass of
innocent sweet cider that will create APP
petite? Good Templary holds that it is
the first glass that must. be summed.
We cannot tell and undoubtedly the cider
sot cannot tell where his downward
course began, whether with the new or
the old; quite as likely with the one as
the other, since rylhing necessary for
hard cider is lurking about the glass of
the rev, as everything necessary for the
fierce tiger of the Jungle is dormant in
the kitten tiger.
No one can tell how soon these prop
critics begin to develop, but probably as
soon as the liquid leaves the apple and
comes in touch with the air; so that
Immediately, whether perceptble or
not, there are alcoholic properties from
the Juice.
Again, it is not a popularity of hu-
man nature to argue very much about a
subject there is nothing in. We must,
then, conclude that it is wrong to use
new cider or else there would not be so
much said about it. The pledge would
have stipulated the age of the beverage
at which one should begin to refrain.
But the best authority and those who
stand highest in temperance work con.
denim cider from first to last as never
being without Intoxicating properties
hence a violation for the total abstainer
to indulge. Then, if the conscience is
to beSdepended upon, unless it is har-
dened by the influence of home or has
been trained to deny righteousness, not
one of our Good Templars can touch
cider
Finally, if we regard our brother with
anything of the Pauline sincerity and
our brother feels the sinfulness of in
dulging new cider or cider, as the pledge
has it, we will abstain. For, says Paul,
in speaking of meats: Wherefore, If
meat causeth my brother to offend, !
will eat no flesh while the world stand
eth lest | make my brother to Offend
If there Is that which gratifies appe-
tite, there must also be that which
| SlCdlCS It, w ucI we ldhe TIE glass Vi
new cider we influence some one else,
possibly, to follow our example who
either has been slave to drink or else
some one who has a more susceptible APP
petite than ourselves and they fall as a
result of our own wifulness. Indis-
erection will often undo, in a short
time, more than united, organized effort
can do in months, possibly years. The
safest way and the only sure way is for
every one, whether a Good Templar or
not, to let cider of whatever age alone.
Then the pledge is not broken, a ques.
tionable example is not set, Templary is
respected and the individual is honest
with himself with his lodge, if men,
Der, and with his fellowman. We can
not afford, for the sake of gratifying the
taste with glass of palatable beverage,
to break our pledge, deny conscience or
eOpardize the purity and temperance OF
our brother The only way is to have a
sound iron-clad principle and stick to il
under all circumstances.
d. W. LYMAN.