The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-06-19
Recognizing the Good TempIars.

TO the Editor OF the Indianapolis journal.
Rev. Mr. Bacchus. an officer of the Grand
Lodge of Good Templars in Indiana spent
few days last week in indianapolis, con-
sulting few well-known temperance men
and women to the proprety of reorganlz-
ing the order in the city. He was very
cordially received in most cases, and all
rea soma BILE cooperation was promised He
will return in a few days for further con-
sultation, having left an appointment to
meet those who interested in the mat
ter at the Y. Nj. c. A. Hall next Tuesday
an 7:20 TO talk the matter over and if
deemed advisabl to take preliminary steps
for organizing lodge. Allow me TO say
that this is clealy a in which we
should hunt him, and not wait to be hunt
ed by him. II is our business more than
il can possibly be his, hence let me re-
quest those who are interested in the move
men to address him by postal card or letter,
care of the Y. Nj. c. A, telling him where
they may be found.
There has not been a time for fifty years
that so imperatively demanded the hearty
cooperation OF temperance men and women
in the special work of such an organiza-
ton as the Good Templars. Its specialties
are the retaining of drunkards and the
of total abstinence. Fifty years ago such
pastors as Henry Ward Beecher. Edward
r. Ames. T. NJ. Cressy, T. d. Gurley and
Ira Jameson united with such business men
Fletcher, James c. Yohn, Albert j. Porter
and scores like them, in the personal work
Of inviting men more or less addicted TO
the use of intoxicants to meet them once
a week in the Order of the Sons of Tenn
perance, and many. very far gone. were
reclaimed, and many a young man was
preserved from habits of drunkenness. 1t
is safe 10 say that fifty years ago not one
member in a hundred of any church in
the city even occasionally drank drains
at home or abroad. and intoxicants were
fur, cd ha Of
prohibition in Maine and its phenomenal
| success in Indiana led to a relaxation of
personal work, and the events that led
up to the war, then the war itself so de-
moralized these efforts that the Sons of
| Temperance ceased to be an aggressive
| force, and domestic and public drinking
| not the husbands only, but grown-up sons,
| are inebrateS, and all wives are not always
| sober. This is a condition that cannot be
| remedied by any form of prohibitory laws;
| ii must be by the moral forces that can
| come only through some such an organiza-
ton as the Sons of Temperance or the Good
| Templars. and these can exist in efficiency
| only when pastors and members OF churches
attend the stated meetings of the order as
! regularly and as enthusiastically as they
| attend prayer meetings.
l am aware that ii is asking great deal
| of a first-class preacher TO come down to
| 90 temperance work. Such men as those
named above did not think so, however.
I One youngish preacher upon whom Mr..
Il
| tereSt in the temperance work and oeplored
| the prevalence OF drunkenness. but he
| wished to be excused from working in the
| business OF reforming men. His pulpit is
! his throne and his people expect him 10
| prepare for it, Bless the dear man! The
Master was a tolerably good preacher, but
| He found time to go about doing good,
and the common people heard Him gladly.
| There are bankers and business men who
have no time TO 20 10 q lodge meeting
and no money 10 spare for temperance
! work who have had 10 take time to bury
drunken sons. and others viii have 10 do
| the same IN short time The number OF
skeletons in home closets is rapidly in
! cressins. Can We not make one more Wig
orous effort 10 save our boys and girls
! Will not every pastor in the city try TO
be at that meeting next Tuesday night, TAX
ing with them representative laymen? IL
] Is 10 be strictly for the purpose OF organic
| ing or preparing TO organize a lodge OF
/ Good Templars. not 10 discuss prohibition
or ant-saloonism. Let US leave these at
/ home once. There Is no reason why such
/ a wave OF reform "a swept over the city
! fifty years ago may not again bring hap
! pinesS TO many a home. Preachers VINO
/ cannot get OF their thrones 10 come down
/ where people live Will not be there, of
course. and bankers and business men who
| want 10 see how much money they may
| leave for the saloon keeper through their
relatives VIII not be there either;
L. L. SEE.
Indianapolis. June Il.