Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1905-09-11
w. G. T. u. COLUMN.
BEGINNING OF The END IN ALCOHOL
REFORM.

& The prohibition of the liquor trattlc
has had long aud marvellous history.
It antedates all civil enactments. 1t
Is of divine origin. The best that
man has decreed is but faint glim-
mer of the Mosaic code, the warnings
of the prophetic era, and the
wholesome teachingsh of the early
Church. In one form or another this
great improvement has appeared, no
age has wholly been without it, no
generation an entire stranger to its
presence.
Certainly, then, at this hour we
ought to be well acquainted with it.
It's eventful history is familiar to Us.
The advances it has made, the
reversesjt has had, the friends and
foes that have appeared upon the
scene all these have made the study
of the cause both inviting and thrill
ing.
But as we look upon it now, pre-
senting as it does new phases,
assuming magnificent proportions,
cannot we say, unhesitatingly, truth
fully say, ave stand now at the
beginning of the end of the worlds
most momentous reform. The pro-
cesses in the great movement may be
tedious and evidences of advance
ment difficult to discern, but forces
are at work to-day that predict the
closing of long continued strife and
the ushering in of long hoped for
victory.
Why do we designate the present
stage of the reform as the beginning
of the end? What is there in the
present status of the agitation that
iustifes us in the conclusion that
righteous forces are closing in upon
this hydra-headed monster of IN
righteousness and that the prayers
that have assembled from drunkard's
housewives and daughters plead
ing for husbands and fathers, sons
and brothers-are about to be ans
Wered and that in way that will be
final, conclusive? Even the casual
observer must admit that there IS
something in this era of reform
wholly unlike anything that has
preceded it. And can we not say
that that something is very encour-
aging?
Surely it is no occasion for alarm
but rather a hopeful omen, yes, a
declaration that a. long and hard
fought battle is beginning to end
The signs of victory appear. The
enemies ranks are wavering, their
columns are breaking and some are
already retreating.
Aggressive, religious forces are
waging successful war upon this
monster, this parent of crimes. The
plans and lines of attack have varied
as the great reform has progressed.
At first the poor drunkard was wholly
the object of attention. The COM
munity pitied him and special effort
|
meetings and revivals were devoted
to that good work. And let US be
thankful that thousands have been
reclaimed. But while that good work
went on how many more went down
never to rise. While Christians
worked, others worked and that too
with death-dealing effect And they
worked, too, under the permission,
the sanction-the license, if you
please-of the voting churches
Finally some one arose with new
thought or thought with new edge
to it and declared that some attention
should be given the drunkard- makers
that that source of our troubles
ought to be considered. Some ther
said, "Reform the brewers, the dis
/, tillers, the saloon keepers" Well
meaning effort was used in that di
rection and occasionally conversion
.. would be reported, but for every one
who because of that stepped out from
the awful traffic there were others tt
step in. And so the battle waged
the odds apparently against the
. Christian host. That situation created
doubt and dismay. There was con
fusion. Some were willing to con
tinue on the old lines, but Others
said, "There is yet a better way
t Gods blessing rests with methods a
a well as men, and so the spirit of Co.
!; set His people to devout thinking
; and planning, as we'll as praying
They looked into commerce, int
> science, and into politics, and at last
like the sight of land to the intrepi
>: Columbus, they saw the era of Pro
hibition dawning. And so now we ar
): gin the heoinuinp of the end D-E. ii