The Irish standard., 1898-08-27


ishes from the homes OF the people
Wherever this enthusiasm of youth is
enlisted in this glorious cause, there
the foundations are laid for the protec-
tion of manhood against the destructive
power of strong drink. The young are
easily trained. Adult appetite, long ac
custonled to indulgence, obstinately re-
bells against restraint. The most en-
couraging work that can engage human
attention is the work Of educating and
training the minds and hearts of in
nocent children. The teacher Is re-
warded by the rich fruit that ripens
even before the monday of life, The
most disappointing work in which un-
selfish zeal has ever engaged is the
work of attempting to eradicate and de-
stroy the evil habits of adult age, that
took their root in youth and perverted
the best years Of human existence.
1t is delightful. glorious work, to
lead the untainted unto the sublime
heights of intelligent self-control, where
they are safe against the cunning wiles
and dastardly assaults of the drink
demon. 1t is disheartening, discourage
ing, and too often utterly fruitlcss labor
to try to win the slave of drink away
from his calling bondage. Ii the homes
OF the people are to be blessed by Chris
tlan sobriety, and saved from the blight
OF drink, this must be accomplished not
by reclaiming the incorporate, but by
reforming the mistaken notions OF de-
luded people, and by training the girls
ana boys of today into habits of total
abstinence, that they may be the total
abstinence men and women of the fu-
ture. How much sweeter and happier
the life of one who has never tasted the
bitterness of intemperance than the life
diseased appetite!
1t is an attractive and blessed duty
TO win the approval OF the world .or
good work done by Catholics, under the
blessings of the church. The gospel re-
minds all Of the duty Of letting the light
OF good works shine before men, But it
is far more blessed and important
duty to save immortal souls for heaven
TO win their eternal gratitude, and u
supernatural reward for ourselves oy
guarding them against even the proxi-
mate danger of evil, and making easy
for them the road that leads to saving
virtue.
All who have had experience in tenn
perance work are familiar with the diff
ficulties to he overcome. All ss.ietv
work Is made successful by spirit o.:
lively enthusiasm. unselfish zeal and
active interest. No society can flourish
unless Its members work earnestly for
Its advancement. The zeal of the MEM
bers insures the prosperity of any good
organization at the very outset. This is
especially true of our temperance socie-
ties. Love the cause, show the sincerity
OF your love by your untiring zeal for
your society's welfare, and no fears need
be entertained as to the result. Leth-
argy and Indifference are canker worms
In any society, no matter how worthy
its aims. DO not wait for indolent Off
GERS, and do not expect too much from
your spiritnatl director. who has other
responsibilities and cares that demand
MS attention. No societies in this union
have met with gratifying success as the
result OF accident or good luck; all have
won 1t by persevering work You and
your society may do likewise Conui-
tions do not vary much in different To-
calities. Similar efforts will secure SIM
liar results in every community
All public opponents of human appe-
tite must expect harsh criticism. and
be prepared to defend themselves
against unkind assaiants. The dis
eased appetite of the drinker unites
with the unreasoning avarice of the
dealer in strong drink to cast odium on
temperance workers and on the TEMPER
ance cause. The greed of the dealer
blinds him SO that he does not see the
injury his dangerous business does to
the unthinking drinker The appetite
OF tho drinker deceives him. so that he
forgets his imminent danger, and fails
to realize his folly.
Both drinker and dealer seem to fancy
that the total abstainer, who uses his
liberty to save himself against the tyr
amy of the one and the temptations of
the other, Is their unreasoEing, fanati-
cal, unfair and merciless enemy. It is
not SO strange that sellers of intoxi-
cants should feel lnfriendly toward
those whose influence and example d,-
minish his profits. But that moderate
drinkers,who loudly boast Of their right
to use their personal liberty, and who
assume that they offer an edifying ex-
ample Of moderation in all things,
should so intemperately criticise the
temperance movement, Is one of the in
eXplicable mysteries of human life. Ger
tainly the total abstalner has fully as
much right to choose the safe road of
entire abstinence from alcoholic stlmu-
lants as the moderate drlnker has to
drink whenever he pleases, and to alb
stain whenever it suits his fancy. We
are fully persuaded that our course Is