Evening journal., 1908-04-08

used nightly Of God for good. but where
he reformed many never do He was
man Of strong will and character. and
hence could do what many others could
not, and though reformed, he paid FOR
every drop Of alcohol he drank. He was
subject to delirium tremens. He lost the
wife that he loved so dearly and his on,v
child through the drink habit and spent
many years Of his life in debauchery and
in sin that must afterward almost nave
crushed the great generous nature which
he possessed. He once said. IF all the
money spent in the temperance cause
saved but one boy, it were well spent" "
Asked if this were not too strong he an.
swered, mot If it were my boy"
When John b. Cough. standing before
vast audience in Philadelphia. lifted
up his hand with an impressive gesture
and said. Il have seven years in the
record Of my life when I was held in the
iron grip Of intemperance. 1 would give
the world to blot it out: but alasl 1 can
not"
Coughs life is an inspiration. It shows
what can be done by the grace Of God.
1t says to every drunkard, do not de-
spair" 1t says to every worker for The
Incorporate; 'Do not give up" But It is
not an inspiration to every reformed
drunkard to become a temperance orator.
Some can describe the scenes OF their
drunken life without arousing the old an
petite within them Cough was an un-
usually great man and could do what
hundreds Of others failed in attempting.
II saved from drink. keep as far away
from It as possible. You might not be
strong enough TO resist temptation. avoid
the very appearance Of evil"
The connection between temperance. and
christianity seems close and natural
Christian men were the promoters OF the
reform in its early days, and always have
BEEN When Mr.. Cough entered the nuld
TO talk on temperance many Of those
most prominent in the work did not want
anything said about sin or its conse-
quence or Gods help. Mr.. Cough had fo
meet many sneers and severe criticisms
from those active in the cause because he
introduced religion in his talk.
1t is very easy to sign pledge but is "a
very hard TO keep one. as many have
found out The temptation is very strong
when you pass an open door Of a saloon.
The devil has one arm pulling YOU in and
God has the other pulling you out. Aad
who win win? II a person that signs a
pledge and means to keep 1t goes to Cod
ana asks for strength to enable him IN
keep 1t, he will get It. But without GoFs
help the temptation is too strong TO he
overcome alone.
IN al OF his addresses Cough made an
appeal to the young. Asked them 10 lea5
sood' clean sober lives; TO put their trust
lor strength in the Lord. and they would
receive On February Is. 1856 he was
speaking In Frankford. Philadelphia. to
large audience and had made a very
impassionate plea to the young. closing
with these words: Young man. keen vouy
record clean" AS he uttered these vgor5,
ne was stricken with apoplexv ana fell
Two days later he passed away. These
We're his last words and what wonderrl
words they are. How much that one SEN
tence means. Let us all take those words
to ourselves and try 70 live by them.
The saloon seems doomed in our land
The people have determined that II shan
go. But If IT does not go. young people. do
not go to it. The law may permit il 10 do
business but it compels no one to 20 10
IT, The best way TO avoid drunkenness Is
to leave il alone altogether.
Have You temperance committee in
your societyl II not this meeting viii be
a good place TO appoint one There il
great work to be done and the workers
are few. To-day. as never before. thero
Is great struggle to wipe out the sa-
loon. Many forces have Joined hands. and
let us pray that success may crown their
efforts.
ANY young man who thinks he must
drink TO curry favor and help success
makes the great mistake OF his life. The
employer who drinks himself would rathor
the man that works for him did not.
Let us all try and take away something
from this meeting that win help us and
make US more willing to help some enc
else to overcome the power Of str0ns