Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1898-11-23
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
Young Peoples Weekly

Topic, November 81: Great Reforms
that Need Our Help.-John 2: 1926.
There has never been a time since
Christ's coming when great reforms
had their supporters so we'll organized
as they are to-day. Statistics are a
tremendous weapon in the hands of the
reformer. The modern tendency to
trace surface evils back to their source
in some hidden iniquity, is helping to
advance every cause which the Christ
ian holds dear.
One of the facts which modern in
yestigation has demonstrated beyond
question is that intemperance is largely
responsible for the evils which curse
our civilization. We know that the
criminals in State penitentiary were
sentenced for many different crimes,
and also that most Of these were COM
mitted in the madness which comes
from drink. In communities actually
free from this curse, crime is reduced
to minimum, while poor-houses and
prisons stand vacant.
A short time ago n gentleman visit
ing an acquaintance in the country
found that on the latter's grounds grew
a plant the fruit Of which was a deadly
poison. We may be sure that the
owner of the place did not content him
self with picking off the berries as fast
as they ripened, and burning them. If
possessed of ordinary common sense he
set to work to destroy the plant itself.
If all the strength spent in attacking
the wrongs which grow out Of intern
perance had been applied to laying low
the giant evil itself, it j. more than
possible that the close Of the nineteenth
century would have witnessed its ami
hilation, root and branch. And though
this goal is far ahead, it should be the
aim of every Christian, not to disable
and fetter but to crush and destroy this
source of so much suffering to humani-
ty.
1t is easy for young Christians tofeel
helpless in the presence Of so great an
evil, bat you aid the temperance reform
when you personally interest yourself
in its success. If heminister announces
that he will preach temperance SER
mon upon a certain date, make an es-
pecial effort to be present and to bring
out your friends. When the Endeavor
Society has temperance topic, be sure
to do your part toward making the
meeting profitable When some speaker
from abroad is to talk on temperament
your town, do your utmost to give him
good audience. Public option, that
mightiest factor in making a nations
destiny, is moulded by just such simple
means.
Every young Christian can do some
thing in the way of spreading temper
ance literature. If a strong temperance
periodical comes into your home, be
sure that after being read by your own
family it finds its way into another
home, instead Of into the waste-basket.
Cut out the temperance story which
thrilled your heart, and pass it on to
some one else. One who is really alive
to the Importance of the problem will
find no difficulty in discovering ways
of being useful. Beside consistent
example which always ranks first, count
less chances of helping in the greatest
OF modern reforms will present them
selves to those who ere ready to i'm
prove them. The thing Of chief i'm
portance is for the humblest and weak
e,t to realize that unless he lends his
aid the list of Gods helpers will be in
complete.