Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1901-04-29
w. G. T. u. COLUMN.
THE TWELFTH, AN AMETHYST.

Rev. Henry Walker in late num-
Der of The White Ribbon, official organ
of the B. w. T. A, suggests the adop-
ton of the amethyst by all temperance
organizations, societies, lodges, tents,
etc., as a symbol of temperance re-
nificance of the stone is universally
apparent in both name and scriptural
meaning.
In support of this plea for recogni-
ton by the temperance public, Mr..
Walker quotes Canon Wilberforce,
the scholarly temperance advocate,
who has emphatically dwelt upon the
peculiar fitness of this stone for the
purpose, calling attention to the fig
urative language in Rev. 20: 10, 20,
where the twelve precious stones are
spoken of as garnishing the twelve
foundations of the New Jerusalem.
ST humbly SUBMIT" said the Canon,
"that am in no sense overstraining
an analogy, nor grasping at fanciful
Interpretation, but literally accepting
the teaching of the Word of God by
concentrating your attention upon
one of these precious stones, the
twelfth and the last of the foundations
of the Heavenly City, and inquiring
into it's nature and teaching. 1t says:
The twelfth an AMETHYST An anne
thyst-and why an amethyst? Put
aside for the moment the unbroken
chain of legend which has clustered
round the amethyst, and which cor
roborates the application I would
make; treat it from the matter Of fact,
scholarly point of view; put magma
ton on one side, and translate the
word amethyst literally-it can bear
but one Interpretation, combination
of two familiar Greek words co. not,
and 'n,ethustos,' user of strong drink.
What marvellous prophesy
have we here! Uttered 1900 years
before the pernicious art of distillation
was invented, it points distinctly to
the peculiar and special peril of these
latter days, and it's remedy.
"Who will then become an amethyst
for God? If you are weak you will be
wise to become one for your own
sake; if you are strong you will be
still wiser to become one for the sake
of the weak"
And Mr.. Walker adds: "Who will
wear an amethyst for God until these
beautiful stones shall become SO
noticeably numerous that people will
ask, what mean you by all these anne
thysts?' And every wearer of one thus
becomes preacher and prophet of
the good time certainly to come when
Not a user Of strong drink shall cor
rectly describe the renovated citizen
chip of the whole earth.''
Among the practical reasons for the
use of the amethyst as a universal
symbol of total abstinence are, Mr..
Walker continues:
"Its language can be Faithfully I'M
derstood by all nations. 1t cannot
fade nor wear out. Being beautiful,
simple personal adorn ments it can for
its sake create In it's owner liking
for itself. Having an intrinsic value
it can insure for itself careful preser-
walton, and thus be likely to also Sc
cure for both itself and it's symbolism
the more enduring use, extending
down from generation to generation.
Being universally unobjectionable, it
can secure the wider adoption. For
example, a commercial traveller, who
might feel that he could not wear
piece of blue or white ribbon on his
coat could wear an amethyst pendant
on his watchguard; and SO with 9TH
ers exceptionally situated. 1t is suit
able for all occasions and functions.
1t is fit to honor and adorn a crown.
1t can be added to other badges. And
it's inexpensive limitations, which
would answer the same end, would
come within the reach of everyone"
In these days, when the wearing of
badges is an effective aid to reform
Mr.. Walkers suggestion
is worthy of consideration by total
abstainers, whether they belong to a
temperance organization or not. And
SO we pass it on to our readers.
81 had piles so bad I could get no rest nor
find a cure until tried DeWitt's Witch Hazel
Salve. After using it once forgot 1 ever had
anything like Piles."-E. G. Boice, Somers