The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-12-15

a Christmas Appeal.
81 THE Times.Dlspatch

Editor OF The Times. Dispatch
sir,--'.rhe only Christmas git that
wants that you keep SOBER! On! husband.
can't you promise mo that, and make
me so happy?" This was the reply n an
affectIonate, pleading tone. and with q
hens ana esr Of faithful 10
her husbands inquiry as to what be
should give her for a .Christmas sift.. This
man. who himself, tid me OF the con-
bity apart from his besettlng sin-drlnk!
His home has been wrecked time and
again BY this appetite which reasserted
itself after considerable periods Fof. SO
Ssvesage 'p arou ees the serpent
+. and The Is ,soon In It's horrible coils nd
the one fatal glass IS generally pronered
BY a friend or sacquatntance for sociabil.
lily (so-called), and It IS no wonder that
tho faithful, suffering wife should dread
the coming Of a season tina { Is ~ SO
many misa appropriated to an occasion q
license for Indulgence THIS ,4, man adm, Is
Should not touch a drop knowing ms
weakness? He will also assent to that
proposition. It Is. however condition
and not a theory tnat conironts iiin ana
his now happy home. All! pity It's. It's
trueI out many G true n1otherly and wife
ly heart saddens at the coming Of the
3hallowed Christmas tide. hen az inc
earth should DO rejoicing at the birthday o.
tidings ' Of great 3oy,,". TO bind up tho
broken- hearted" and "set at liberty them them
that are bound iS 4; SSg. si Nj Az
5 It Is not my purpose here and now 20
discuss the drink q uesEion IN Its e1hica 7,
moral or economic aspects. Whatever d.
versty of view men may entertain re-
gard.ng this question. all sane minds
must admit the baleful results that now
fnom inebriety. nd that the Gu stom OF
Urea ting" and that OF the prominencs
given TO Intoxicating beverages on the
+ board at social functions are largely re-
sIonsble for prevalent drunkenness.alts
is a lamcntable fact that many seize upon
to give abnormal freedom TO their desire
and appetite. The free treats OF the open :.
house bar-room and clubhouse. the punch
bowl. egg-nog. bowl and wine bottle 3. on on
ts...lgs at other times, all exercise per-
nicious influence. It would seem that
the dictates OF common prudence ana
Who vaunt their t.smornl atnm lnn's and
strength In the Indulgence Of the CUP to.
rat least forego these pleasures at this
season IL the interest o. ,t those selS
and no man dieth unto himael Inc
strength requisite TO indulge without IN
Temperance Is not near SO grand nor 80
valuable as the strength to abstain IN the
irterest OF ones fellows. And here we
/ touch the cruxt OF true religion and true
SOCIAL government I lay down this fbroa d
proposition in full faith OF lis absolute
truth. that It Is dangerous LOT any HfA FL
; to- use intoxlcants as a beverage and q
wrong to fellow man to solicit his par
taking OF the social glass. !.
I trust that the reader o. these lines
\ W. resolve to assist In removing these
pitfalls from the paths o. .:elr s = ! eiloW
men. Il confess to no amiablo hostility to
the beverage liquor traffic and the tips
ping habit, but in this note I have mere ere
nocIai,,, il. behalf OF men whose danger
nrhiaf,,, lie. in ven moderate drinking,
X az m tlent sorro wing womanly.
hearts that dread the approach Of Christ,
mas. There is ample scope for real
solid Christmas cheer without looking
upon the wine
Sincerely yours, !. =, = : . "a 5.8
ass =, a,,n,ond va m Dac 49, 4. 1904, VA