Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-11-11
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.

Topic.-How may VS. help abolish the
saloon 2--Eph vi. le-lS.. CTemperaHeeJ
That the saloon should be abolished
should admit of no question That it
Is the direct cause Of drunkenness can
mot be denied, nor can il be SO regulat-
ed by the state as to make it possible
for the saloon to exist without making
drunkards. License as a preventive of
excessive drinking is a failure. The
most stringent laws about selling to
minors and to confirmed drunkards
have proved a failure. The young
patronize the saloons, and those cursed
with the appetite for strong drink have
no difficulty in obtaining it. Ii the sa-
loon were abolished and alcohol used
only for medicinal purposes drunken
ness would soon pass away. But it
never will while the saloon exists. In
the face of tas terrible effects OF in
temperance how can any one interested
IN humanity advocate the saloon or
oppose its destruction:
The problem of abolishing the saloon
Is beyond question gigantic one. Its
patrons are legion, and there are le-
gions more who are absolutely indif-
ferent to the havoc 1t plays among the
children of men. But this only makes
It the more important that those who
do desire and pray for its overthrow
should be instant in season and out
of season for the accomplishment of
their purpose.
The saloon can be abolished. To
some this may seem vain boast, but
1t is not so. The saloon has been abol-
tshed. In some towns. in some coun'
tfes and even in some states it has
been prohibited and has ceased to ex-
ist, and what has been on smaller
scale can be on a larger one if the
people of the larger sphere can be
made to see and act as have those in
me smaller one. The abolishing of the
saloon in the smallest hamlet in the
Omitted States is conclusive proof that
n can be abolished throughout the en-
tire nation if the people of the nation
will act as the people of the hamlet.
Since the saloon should be abolished
and can be abolished, what may we do
10 bring about this desirable end?
/. We may help abolish the saloon
BY personal action. No one who de-
Eires the overthrow of the curse of
mankind should ever patronize it in
any way, shape or form The total alb
0tainer is q constant hindrance to the
saloon, and if ali men could be led TO
totally abstain from intoxicating drinks
rs a beverage the saloon would soon
close its doors and cease TO exist
2. We may help abolish the saloon
by educational influence. Public opin.
ION should be educated against the
saloon, and every antisaloonist should
be an educator of the public upon this
subject The saloon is firmly intrenched
In our national life. 1t is supported by
tremendous financial and political in.
duences; but, for all that when the
people of the United States want the
saloon to go and say TO the saloon
-Gor' it will go. Educate" should bu
the battle cry of all opposed to the sa.
loon in our land.
3. We may help abolish the saloon
by political action. The ballot is the
decisive influence in our land. and
If all Christian and temperance people
would upon every occasion cast theft
ballots against the saloon the day OF
IT'S doom would be hastened. But here
It is well to remember that denuncia-
ton should have no part in our cam
paign against the saloon. Denuncia-
ton of friends and fellow laborers who
do not see as we do never won bat.
tie, much less a campaign. God never
made two men exactly alike. Intern
perate zeal upon the part of many
advocates of temperance has done more
to injure the political campaign against
the saloon than all other causes com.
bdned. Education and liberation should
be our watchwords rather than denun.
citation.
4. We may help abolish the saloon
by prayer. In spite of sin Gods power
Is still absolute upon the earth. and
His people should cease not to appeal
unto Him for help in the great struggle
against this gigantic evil. In His
strength we should fight against it
and earnestly call upon Him for divine
power to bring about its overthrow
BIBLE READINGS.
Josh. i. 6, z; Prov. Xxx. 1 xiii, 1921,
1892; lisa. V, II; Zech. iv. 6; Hab. ii.
10, IS; Matt xvii, 81; Rom. xiv. 1923;
Cor. iii, II; Gal. V, 1926.