The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-11-12

eth"
The Greatest Moral Reform.
Terse Comments for November 13,
1.-THE War Against the Saloon: En-
list!" Hab. 2:1-2o.
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
Beyond question the world is taking
notice of the temperance question as
never before. 1t may be said to have
passed out of the hands of the temper
ance refOrmerS now it is being con-
sidered by the business man, the
statesman, the sociologist. Instead of
bein" the engrossing theme of the few,
temperance has become the concern of
the many. Daily newspapers treat it
vigorously, without fear of being call
ed narrow. Business concerns set a
high standard of temperance for their
employees because cold calculation has
convinced them that commercial eff
cheney and indulgence in intoXiantS are
incompatible. Social economists, those
unsentimental experts in the massing
of statistics, show that intemperance
is q gnawing worm at the root of the
life of the family. the neighborhood
and the nation. In word, we have
come to the characteristic American
conclusion that intemperance does not
pay" The argument that is being
presented with most force to the youth
of today is that he will largely dimin-
ish, or else entirely eliminate, his
chances of success if he goes in for
liquor.
SUCCESSFULLY enough, the question
here arises as to whether the church
still shows her oldtime zeal in behalf
of temperance. While the political,
social and commercial arguments for
abstinence from strong drink are gath
be asked, rs the church as keen
against indulgence in liquor as she was
fifteen years ago." Possibly the tenn
perance movement has become so nor
NAL part of religious activity that it
creates less commotion than formerly,
certainly we hear less about temper
ance meetings, pledge-signing crusades
and work for the reclamation of the
drunkard.
A mans manhood is measured by
the strength and fineness of his soul
| fibre. Whatever weakens the will
and who denies that self indulgence
does ?-impairs mans manhood.
After all has been said, however, it
still remains true that the most neces-
sary agency for the promotion of tenn
| perance, is the resolution of the indi-
viduaI to abstain totally from the use
of all intoxicants. for his own sake and
for the sake of the brother who would
| be harmed by his example.
When this day of brotherhood which
is dawning is fully come, there will be
| NJ room in the world for anything
| which stains the soul or mains the
| body of man. That bars out strong
drink. 1t must go under the ban of
love. The net influence of the liquor
| traffic is bad, and only bad. It hurts
humanity. Therefore the men who are
! their brothers keepers will not con-
tinue it to let it continue on its de-
vastating way.
| Whatever hurts a weaker soul, by
that fact becomes a foe to the chival-
rous strong.
The triumph of temperance can be
accomplished only by the courage of
| the Christian.
The drunkard sells for a dram his
! divine right to rule himself He browns
his kingship in the intoxicating cup.
DR.. T. De Witt Talmage once said,
| 1.-THE world may scott at Christian peo-
pie as insignificant, but banded togeth-
| er for any great moral movement thew
| can carry anything at the ballot box
| and in the congressional assembly
The trouble is that they have never yet
massed their forcers."
The most modern phase of the tenn
perance cause is the frontal attack
upon the saloon. The malign influence
Of the saloon upon politics. its hurtful-
ness as an economic factor, it's de-
bauching power consequent upon the
necessity for recruiting new drinkers
| all have been shown in clear light by
the careful investigation of sociologists
The verdict of the country seems to be
that we shall all be better off without
the saloon.
I The nation still awaits the man OF
| woman who will provide satisfactory
substitute for the saloon. Until this
need is met, the temperance task viii
4 remain unfinished.