Backbone. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. ;) 1897-1906, 1903-06-01
Young Methodism to
March on the Enemy.
Straight Business or q
Big Bluff.
Big Bluff.

editor of the Epworth Herald, and
the general secretary of the EpwOrth
League for his Inauguration of the
long overdue crusade against the sa-
loon by young Methodism. We believe
we speak fully within bounds when
we say that the Epworth League is
ready for a charge, regardless of it's
cost, upon that villainy which out-de-
mons the imps of Gehenna. And we are
equally sure that DR.. Berry is close
to the heart of the younger element in
the Methodist church. If he calls to
a charge against the saloon that rings
with the bravery and sincerity that
are elemental in his character, they
will follow without finch. 1t is time
we had done with big talk and begin
to show some works to back our
words. DR.. Berry's editorial reads as
follows:
1.-THE Epworth League is to have another
forward movement
1t is to be a movement against rum.
That movement is to be aggressive. 1t
is to be pushed without any compromis-
ing. It is to be as hot as multitude of
awakened young men and women can
make it.
The plan contemplates several depart
mentS of work
1t will include pledge-signing crusade.
The young men and women and the Doys
and girls of all the communities will be
enlisted SO far as possible, under the
banner of total abstinence.
1t will emphasize the Importance of
temperance literature. This literature the
League proposes to create. 1t will fairly
blaze with facts and figures and argu-
ments and appeals. 1t will be sown
'knee-deep.
1t is also proposed to organize temper
ance-study classes, just as we have form
ed Bible-study classes, and mission-study
classes. Here the terrible facts concern
ing the rum curse will be studied. That
will count nightly in the realm both of
moral and legal suasion.
Of course, the EPWORTH HERALD
is to be the newspaper representative OF
something of a temperance paper from
its first number. 1t has not failed to de-
clare the whole awful truth on this is
sue But as the mouthpiece of the new
department of work in the EpwOrth
League, added space will be given to the
temperance reform
Some people may be inclined to sneer
at this new departure of the young peo-
that it is but a spasmodic outburst of
zeal, and will soon exhaust itself. But
let not the whiskey people and their So
cial and political apologists fool them
selves. We enter this fight to stay. And
we will stay long enough to make very
uncomfortable this legalized sum of all
If young Methodism is joined to her
idols in the shape of custom, or the
hope of revenue, or of the glamor of
"get-there," or the hope of political
preferment, then we are mistaken in
the temper of that young army. The
brave words of Abraham Lincoln
If ever I feel the soul within me
elevate and expand to those dimen-
sions not wholly unworthy of it's Al
mighty Architect, it is when I con-
template the cause of my country, de-
serted by all the world beside, and I,
standing up, boldly and alone, and
hurting defiance at her victorious op-
pressors. Here, without contemplat-
ing consequences, before high heaven,
and in the face of the world, I swear
eternal fidelity to the just cause, as
l deem it, of the land of my life, my
liberty, and my love-"
ought to be the sentiment of every
young Christian of every denomina-
tion.