The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-26
Mr.. MURPHY'S FRIENDS
THEY GAVE THEIR OLD LEADER AN
OVATION YESTERDAY.
Some Touching Temperance Incidents
RetoId-GOOd Cheer from
the Apostle.

and officers for the next year were elected,
after which there We're talks from various
members of the league, who say they owe
their present respectable standing in life to
the work OF the leader. Each one who
talked had a hearty word OF welcome for
the temperance leader. as well as word OF
love and reverence for the better conditions
into which his admonitions and example had
helped. Mr.. Murphy sat on the platform,
listening with evident feelings of pleasure to
what was said, occasionally interfering
personal remark with regard to the case OF
the speaker in his characteristic rough-and-
ready manner. Some of the histories related
were pathetic.
Yesterday said one of the witnesses, Il
went to the Union Station TO meet my
daughter, or rather, my daughter-in-law-
she seems just like my daughter"
Eyes, she is your daughter. too" inter-
rupted Mr. Murphy.
when 1 met her." continued the speaker
"she told me how anxious the boys-my
sons-were to be with pa and ma / could
not help thinking of twelve years ago. Then
they would not have been glad to sec pa
| have been thinking this afternoon how
happy my wife is. They have had q nice
time to-day, and I left them looking over
their Christmas things, after a dinner good
enough for anybody-turkey and things like
that. Twelve years ago they had nothing
"But liver!' said an excited and beaming-
faced woman, who was listening, with happy
tears, to his story.
YES, nothing but fried liver, and not very
good liver at that" continued the man,
when the laughter that carried the audience
away from the. verge of tears, on which it
had been hanging, subsidized.
Another man. a blacksmith, told how his
business had prospered since he first listened
to Brother Murphy and signed the pledge.
True, he said he had broken his pledge
once, but after his trouble was over he be-
gan again. To-day" said he. there is sun
shine in our home. My wife is happy. She
would be here with me, but she is not very
well. We are prosperous. Our business is
good and people pay their bills. We'd like
to have you come down and visit us, Brother
Murphy he said.
Yes, Brother john cried Mr.. Murphy,
Il am coming down to your shop and buy
a new pair of Shoes.
The idea of the temperance worker wear
ing horseshoes was too much for the audi
ence and there was another round of laugh
ing 1t did not come a minute too soon to
relieve the tense feeling into which the crowd
mans good resolutions, efforts and faiiings
was being related. Many more incidents of
this kind occurred before the newly-elccted
president was called on by retiring Chair
man James Martin. Joseph Taegart the
new chairman, spoke briefly, asking for the
cooperation of the league. dwelling on the
lact tnat no one man, no matter how ably
assisted by officers, could make an institution
successful.
MIR. MURPHY'S WORDS OF CHEER.
The large audience was hushed as Mr.
Murphy, with a smile that lghtened up a
rosy face beneath shaggy eyebrows and
white hair, arose to speak. Il am very. glad
and thankful" he began, that the provi-
dence Of God has permitted me to have the
pleasure and privilege to come back to this
city and listen to the testimony of the men
who signed the pledge ten years ago. Peo-
pie then looked with amazement on the
movement and thought and predicted that
the men who signed the pledge would not
Keep 1t longer than | was present. If men
Will keep humble, gentle and kind they can
succeed. The trouble Is too many men cam
not stand prosperity. Their heads get
sWelled. But they do not have to buy larger
hats. (Laughter) This movement was
brought here TO serve men, not to serve
party, clique or sect. That is what you want
to see that il continues to do. The pledge
is with malice toward none, with charity
Tor all If man who signs hates any
or has nasty mean little grudge against
who drinks. Be lovers. This movement is
to serve women as well as men. When you
get woman saved she is worth one hun
dred men. There was a woman of Boston,
Intelligent, of fine family, but who unfortu-
nately became a victim of the drink habit.
She cams. one night and signed the pledge.
A Christian woman took her home. Her
own family would not, In a hall before 1900
people she stirred the city of Boston to the
depths and broke the gates of brass that
wa cd
with angels for their escorts. When
get to heaven / don't want to sit down
want to do something. 1 want to go out and
hold a Murphy meeting. Laughter) There
IS, Murphy, street over there, l know,
where men and women who have been saved
will give me as hearty welcome as [ have
had here to-day. Heaven will be quite d
dlHerent place, believe, than most of us
to do"
Mr.. Murphy turned his attention and his
remarks to individuals in the audience, Civ
ing here word of encouragement and there
one of approbation dwelling with peculiar
tenderness on the words of strength and adj
monition offered to those who confessed by
words actions that they had been guilty
OF slips. 1T IS prayer that saves men, not
talking, said he. I'VE have too much talk
Catholic. He goes to church and prays and
then takes the pledge and a little later bows
at the altar for communion. l want to say
to you Protestants, You do not say your
prayers enough. There is too much reliance
on will power. I want to say to you men to
say your prayers and ask God to help you
Sign the pledge. Pray TO God. Then the
gates of hell shall not prevail against you"
At The outbreak of the war Mr.. Murphy
enlisted as chaplain of one of the regiments
that was stationed at Chiekamauga He
told a few incidents of his army life after
reviewing some of the stirring events of the
war. all going to show the Christianity,
bravery and faith of the American soldier
the volunteer who went to the front with
his fathers blessing and his mothers UNI
willing consent. 1t was bravery like that
evidenced by the American soldier that is
necessary to aid men in their fight against
self. After Mr.. Murphy finished speaking
many in the audience went forward to re-
new acquaintance with him. He will be in
the city at his brothers house for a few
days and may possibly remain over next
Sunday
This week the headquarters of the MUIR
nhy League will be removed to East Market
street, to Showers Hall. The officers elected
yesterday for next year were: Joseph Tag
CART, president; James Martin vice presi-
dent; Dennis o Brien, second vice president;
William Kline, secretary; Samuel Johnson
treasurer; Rev. S. j. Wilson, chaplain:
Stephen Gray, chairman of the board OF
trustees, and Baney Dorian and James Whit
lock, trustees