The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1900-12-13
Teaching Temperance
Physiology.

Somerset Educational Association at
Hartlsnd, Nov. II, by Miss Agnes 5.
Reed of Harmony:
The teacher realizes as no other can.
that there Is an army of boys and girls
grow ing up that are to take the hon
and safety of our country in their hands.
Is 1t of Importance that they should u
worthy and capable of taking the trust
| upon them?
One of the most important things the
child should be taught is the stand he
should take In the Temperance cause.
Upon the teacher of today rests much OF
the sponsbility for the success of thst
struggle. Have you realized that any
special responsibility rests upon you III
this matter?
You teach the laws of life and health
in your physiology class, you speak,
perhaps, OF the evil effects OF liquor; but
do you show your pupils anything that
will lead them TO shun the curses OF al
cohol and tobacco, because OF an intelli-
gent understanding Of their action on
the human system? We hear the ex
preston, 1.-THE public school Ia no place
for such work." The answer | give Is,
What other place can reach our boys
and girls as well 81
As I speak of my method of teaching
temperance, please do not get the idea
that IL can always be followed, In All
schools; for the method | use at the
present time, should not use In diff :
emit school except In modified form.
In my present school have the enceu :
agement and aid of both school comm Z.
tee and parents, as well as nearly all the
children and in this way my work Is
made pleasanter and easier.
AS to the time spent on this word,
take about one hour and half every
Friday afternoon from 2.30 to p. N. ;
In this way 1t does not interrupt any
other work and the school understands
that that time lie to be spent In this
work. In this school have Temper
ance League connected with the school ;
this is what meant when | said, "this
meth cd could not be exactly followed
10 some schools, for in some schools
there would probably be objections made
to this manner, but aside from the reRu-
lar rules Of the League, the temperance
lesson could be given in the same way.
AT the beginning of every term, on the
first Friday, | have the pledge passed
around through the school, it reads
about like this: II promise to abstain
from all intoxicating liquors, wine, beer
or cider, from the use of tobacco In any
form and from profanity" No pupil is
compelled to sign this but Is simply
asked and encouraged 10 this step; IL Is
surprising to see how much Influence
some of the pupils will have when they
| sign with bright look of earnest en-.
thusiasm and | know this means more
to them than we realize. The next step
is to have presiding officer and secre-
tary who reads all the reports OF the
meetings, In case you have no pupils old
enough to act in this way the teacher
must take the position.
The meeting is opened by scripture
reading and singing, then the Lords
Prayer is repeated, also the pledge and
temperance notices, as "Tremble King
Alcohol we shall grow up and ION to
the 'front.'" etc., this is In concert the
whole school taking part; after this the
roll call Of the members OF the League,
each member replying by quotation,
as far as possible RELAXING to temperance
and 1t is Interesting to see how many
different and helpful quotations are
given. Then follows short programme
which Is prearranged, Of readings, reci-
tations, songs and essays, all being Sc
lected with great care in reference TO the
cause we are working for. The subjects
of the essays are given out In time to
give the pupils ample time to study all
possible on the subject given, as "Alco-
hol 8 food, Effect of alcohol on the
nerves" and many others. | help the
pupils all can In these by notes aud
reference books Of my own and expect
them to find some for themselves.
The programme is usually closed with
a list OF questions, which | give The
school before the meetiig as regular
lesson, expecting them TO be prepare d
on them as a regular lesson; these ARE
answered in concert or individually as |
choose to ask them, and the pupils ar
to be ranked as in any other lesson. 10
give some idea as to the questions asked
| will name two or three. Why do we
sign the total abstinence pledge? Name
some natural and unnatural driDks.
What does the natural food do for the
todies and does alcohol do these thing {:
In closing this paper wish to say II
we wish to have an enforcement Of our
temperance education law we need three
things. 1st, course Of study in tenn
perance physiology; ID, text boob
adapted to this, and to each grade; 3
examination for promotion as In other
studies. Aud will say again instll
into the minds Of the children that tn y
must be total abstainers for three rea-
sons. LIST, for their own sake; I'd, for
the sake OF others, and Sd, for the sake
of the Lord Jesus Christ. For his own
sake, because total abstinence Is the
only safe rule. Total abstinence never
makes drunkards and moderate drinking
has made many. For the sake of others
because II they do not need these safe
guards themselves they may help those
no do, by their example and influence.
For the sake of our Lord Jesus Christ,
because 1t Is his wish that we should
keep our bodies from all that can injure
them.