The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1901-08-07


says Fhilosophicaliy and practically,
both in English and in Latin, temper
ance means moderation in the use of
all good things. and entire abstinence
from everything injurious"
The reverend editor of the Anglican
Church Chronicle says reforners would
gain more adherents to the cause
temperance if they would follow his
earnest wish and distinguish between
the terms temperance and total absti-
hence" Reformers, Mr. Editor, above
all things, must speak and teach the
truth as it comes to them, and not look
to the number of followers they can
claim as of first consideration. The
reverend editor of the Anglican Church
Chronicle would retain the name of
temperance. but by his teaching he
eviscerates its meaning Surely, sir,
temperance is best shown in the mod
crate indulgence in all things not inju-
riouS, and in total abstention from
those that the enlightenment of science
and the practical conclusions of emf
nent professional and acute business
men declare to be adverse, absolutely
adverse. to the best outcome of our
physical and mental health.
1t would, sir, of course, have been in
excusable in me to have referred to the
likings and personal habits of the rev
erend gentleman, had he not himself
challenged criticism. by his publicly
expressed declaration in the religious
journal of which he is editor in these
words: Much as we enjoy our tenn
perate use of beverages containing
alcohol. We would give them up if
thereby we could save one person from
the sin and the eXecrab BILE foolishness
of inebriation." Is the reverend gen
tleman quite sure he could not so save
one person, or many, possibly? The
reverend gentleman being a priest OF
the Anglican church will perhaps par
don you, sir, permitting me, for quot
ing words that appear in a report OF
the Lambeth Councils Committee on
Intemperance. The members Of the
committee, the Bishop OF London,
chairman; Colorado. Fillmore, Newcas-
tie, The Niger, Pennsylvania, Roches-
ter, Saskatchewan. Sierra Leone, So
dor and Man, and Zululand. This, Mr..
Editor. is what these good churchmen
say, malgre all inane vaporings about
the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee:
After what has been said it clearly
follows that the main weapon to be
used in this warfare is the practice Of
total abstinence from intoxicating
liquors by those who desire TO help
their fellow men. Nothing but this has
the same hold of the weak or the
tempted. gives them the same encour-
agement to fight their battle in the
only true way. wins their affections.
maintains their perseverance,. Exhor-
tations to total abstinence by those
who do not themselves abstain are al
ways comparatively feeble; sometimes
irritating. The exhorter often fails to
win, even where perhaps he succeeds
in convincing"
In Gods name 1 ask. are not these
brave and good words true? An Am
erican poet tells us:
Great truths are portions of the soul
of man:
Great souls are portions of eternity:
Each drop of blood that ere through
true heart ran
: With lofty message, ran for thee and
me;
For Gods law, since the starry song
began,
Hath been, and still forevermore
must be
That every deed which shall outlast
Times span
Must goad the soul to be erect and
free.
Thanking you for your courtesy In
giving me so much space, I subscribe
myself, CIVIS SECUNDUS.
Honolulu, II. l., August s. 1901