The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1909-12-05
TOTAL ABSTINENCE FROM IN,
TOXICATING DRINKS"

night, where there is being conducted a
series of lectures under the auspices OF
the Paulist Fathers, Total Abstinence
from Intoxicating Drinks" was the sub
ject of Father SINNERS discourse. The
question was treated from practical
sense and from the view never before
considered in this community or this
section of the State.
To hear this lecture there was
crowded church, at which were many
who are not Catholics. which is graft
fying. Besidse, there was not in at
tendance a mortal who was not inn
pressed, not only by the eloquence OF
Father Skinner, but by his forceful ar
gurnent against an evil which is sure
to lead to debauchery, ruin and damna-
ton.
The individual, who having heard
Father SINNERS demonstration of the
evil of intemperance, who has not been
moved to determination to abstain
from Intoxicating dink, is to be pitied
and must stand aside with those who
Convinced against their will are of the
same opinion still.
The presence of the Paulist Fathers
In Shreveport and the influence which
they are exerting is beyond computa-
tion at this time. 1t is through the
teachings of such men that good morals
are elevated and strengthened; that
men of all creeds are aroused TO their
duty.
In explaining his subject Father Skin
ner said total abstinence is not mere
i. temperance. nor yet prohibition.
Think of total abstinence.
Father Skinner announced that there
are three motives which impeiled him
to advocate the cause of total absti-
hence: Love of country, love of church
and love of souls, which he treated in
structively. interestingly and eloquently.
Having pointed out the evil Of intern
perance, which is threatening the ma
tiofial life, for his first reason he said:
q shall give my best efforts through
ont life for the cultivation of a national
sentiment against intemperance that
threatens TO sweep over the land
Should not this reason be an appeal
to every good citizen to stand unfinch-
ingly in opposition 70 the breweries and
fhe saloons who thrive on their de-
7@a,.~t,a~.. ~ ,,,a,,
What care have the brewers and the
trafickers in intoxicants for National,
State or local governments if they can
coin money by encouraging men to in
temperance
Is 1t surprising then that the brewers
and trafickers in intoxieants should
give little heed to the plea Of total abb
stinence?
If total abstinence prevailed there
would be no need of prohibition, as
there would be no saloon, nor trafickers
in intoxicants which rob men of their
means and their brains, and also of their
souls.
AS said by Father Skinner speaking
out of love for the church and "out
of love for the soul:
AS a sin upon the soul of man,
drunkenness is of the lowest order. In
itself it is hideous beyond description.
It runs mans intellect. destroys his will
power, completely demoralizes his
whole character and leaves him only a
shadow of what he was when he came
from the hand of God. In word, it
unmans man. And who shall tell Of
the multitude of other evils that follow
IN its wake? Impurities, blaspherny,
nurder and rapine the specter of pau
perisnl, gaunt hunger and desoiate de-
spair.
Against the sin of drunkenness,
therefore, which is deadly disease,
gnawing at the vitaIs of the Nation
which is scandal to the church and
religion, which damns SO many souls,
! advocate with all my heart and soul
the cause of temperance; nor do stop
here, but further to plead for the virtue
of total abstinence.
With regard to the use of liquor,
temperance means simply moderation,
but total abstinence means complete
denial to ones self of the use of liquor,
even IN moderation This is a virtue
which. when prompted BY some noble
motive, is more reritorious in the sight
Of God. And there is a motive which I
shall now present TO all. even 10 the
temperate, Tor going the full way to
total abstinence, motive which | am
sure viii appeal to all
In appealing to parents he said;
Lei parents out Of love for their
children be total abstainers He IS the
best type Of Christian parent who gives
10 his children the highest, best and
safest example. And il Is beyond dis