The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1907-08-08
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THE TEMPERANCE PLEDGE.
q Reviving Interest in This Phase Of
Reform Work.

nSlOITH "OThs
1t is very gratifying to see revival
of interest in the temperance pledge.
An instrument that has brought so
great good should never be aban-
doned. While no thought should be
entertained of relaxing our efforts for
prohibitory legislation, it is greatly
to be desired that all should realize
the Importance of getting men, wo-
men and children to sign the pledge.
The larger the army of abstainers,
the less demand there will be for in
toxicating drinks. Cut off customers
from the saloons and the liquor busi-
ness will decline. Stop the flow of
money to the dramshops, and there
will be a great and increasing de-
mand for groceries, provisions, cloth
ing, furniture, houses and lots. Ben
jamin Franklin said: Temperance
puts wood on the fire, meal in the bar
rel, flour in the tub, money in the
purse, clothes on the children, vigor
in the body, intelligence in the brain
and contentment in the house."
The temperance pledge is helper
to the poor, bringing food and raiment
to their door, says Rev. Francis ].
Collier, D. D., in pamphlet issued by
the Presbyterian committee on tenn
perance; it is shield to the innocent,
giving protection against the assaults
of the tempter; it is a staff to the
drunkard, aiding him to walk in the
path of sobriety; it is also a personal
testimonial, commencing the signer to
those who desire the services of one
who is worthy Of confidence and re-
| spect.
The pledge was first used in this
country in 1889, at Litchfield, Conn.
In its first form, however, it proved to
be of little value in the promotion of
temperance, since it allowed the use
of malt and fermented liquors. In
1888, the pledge of total abstinence
from every intoxicating beverage was
introduced from England. Thousands
of persons, old and young, who heard
the earnest and eloquent pleadings of
Father Mathew and John B. Cough
signed their names to the pledge of
total abstinence from the use of all in
toXicating liquors as a beverage, and
kept it faithfully.
Objections to the use of the pledge
are sometimes made, even by some
good people, who favor the cause of
temperance. One says: 1T is not
right to take pledge of any sort"
This cannot be true. In ancient days,
the Nazarites pledged themselves,
among other things, not to drink
wine. Samson, Samuel and John the
Baptist were Nazarites. Jacob vowed
to give one-tenth of his income to the
Ikord. Paul took VOW when he went
the last time to Jerusalem. We be-
lieve it is right to take marriage vows
and church VOWS. Ministers, elders
and deacons assume vows, when they
are ordained. So do civil magistrates
when they are inaugurated, and the
officers of various societies when they
are installed. All business contracts
and all promissory notes are pledges
The life of the Christian Endeavor so.
ciety is in its pledge.
Children should be encouraged to
sign the temperance pledge. They
are in danger of entering the paths OF
the destroyer Boys are sometimes
found in state of intoxication. A
saloonkeeper was caught in the act OF
giving beer to children returning from
school.
Let all bear in mind that the pledge
is a declaration of independence; 9
shield for protection; a refuge fol
safety; lifeboat to rescue the perish
ing, The signer has made up his
: mind that he will not be drunkard
that he will not take the risk of being
moderate driaker, knowing the
rapid growth of appetite; that he will
not bring disease upon his body and
mind by the use of alcoholic liquors
and that he will not set bad exam
pie to others by drinking. Whe1
asked to drink, he can say: "You
must excuse me; for I have signed
the pledge, and intend to keep it.
The pledge fortifies the weak in the
hour of temptation. 1t has kept thou
sands of young persons from becom
ing drunkards, and it has helped
many Incorporate men and women tt
reform. The method used by Father
Mathew, John B. Cough, DR.. Theodore
L. Cuyler and others with good re
suits should not be neglected or des
pissed.