The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-01-04
DEMON OF IAEBRIETY
ATTACKED BY A BISHOP
Circular Issued by Churchman De
nouncing the Evils of Intemper-
ance in the World.
SAD LOT OF A

MONTREAL, Jan ga man addicted TO
the use of liquor, although he may have
the best natural abilities possible, and al
though he may have been carefully trained,
almost invaria bly, becomes selfish and only
seeks to crafty his own passion. even at
the expense of those who are near and
dear 10 him."
The above is embraced in a pastoral
letter which Mgr. Emard has just ad-
dressed to the clergy and faithful of the
diocese or Valleyheld. The letter in ques-
ton treats exclusively the question of tenn
perance in view of the near approach of the
new year. Mgr. Emard declares that the
repeated use of liquor generally brings
about the abandonment of daily prayer and
and the sacraments He shows how the
drunken husband brings discouragements
10 his poor weeping wife, who has to de-
clare that the happiness, which began so
auspiciousiy at the foot of the altar,
has been banished from the house circle,
and all because of intemperance. His Lord
ship also refers to the drunkards sad lot
in society. He has lost the affection OF his
family, as well as the esteem OF all those
whom he had formerly known, while the
finger of scOrn is pointed at him and noth-
ing remains hut dishOnor. In fact, Mon
signor says that the drunkard is very
lucky il under the influence of strong drink
he is not prompted to commit some crime,
and is brought to the criminal box.
Mgr. Emard says he has not colored the
picture too strongly, for he adds that the
same cOl0rs were employed by the fathers
of the church. st. Hilliare says that strong
drink throws the body into ignoble excess.
takes reason from the intelligence, speech
from the tongue, memory from the mind,
and ~infiicts, in fact, a sort of death TO the
being who is full of health.
The Bishop of Valleyfield also appeals 10
the elect of the people and to those in
authority, who understand that far from
enriching the municipal treasury, the too
frequently encouraged liquor business really
impoverishes the community. The harm &C
cemplished, he says, is irreparable. One
can count those who fall victims TO small
pox, but who can count the number of those
who have fallen under the poisonous effects
of the demon of drunkenness. He declares
that If the liquor business is not illegftimate
in itself it is a dangerous one, and only
those known to be perfectly honorable char
acters should be permitted TO sell. The
saloon keeper, his Lordship says, manipu-
lates a veritable poison, a mortal poison,
which, unless the greatest prudence he eX-
ercised, loses the soul and kills the body.
This is admitted. Monsignor declares
however, that the business of q sober, up
right, prudent saloon keeper does not call
down the wrath OF God. Pity for the souls
of the other sort cOmpels his Lordship to
ask them before God to make a serious ex-
if, in the presence of eternity, their GRIM
inal profits are not more than counter
balanced by the terrible debt contracted,
which daily increases before God and be-
fore the souls lost through their criminal
connivance.