The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1911-11-19
TOTAL ABSTINENCE
A Lecture OF Absorbing Interest
Thursday Night at Holy Trinity
Church by Father Skinner.

CuuftH FdtiitI fohllliftf presented d
. lecture on Total Abstinence" which
when announced the day before as
the theme, suggested the inquiry TO
many minds from what angle this
most eloquent divine would deal
with the subject,
Abstinence has been frequently
theOriZed not as a means Of Self-de-
nial but as the medium of indul-
seuce in The qualification of appe-
titcs and amusements which are
substituted in the prctense of for
bearing ones self-desire.
In his presentation Of the subject
all doubts and misgiNings as to the
intent and the purpose Of abstinence
were removed by Father Skinner.
After explaining that his subject
was total abstinence, not merely
temperance, nor prohibition. he
said:
Three motives there are which
impcl ne TO advocate The cause Of
total abstinence: Love of country,
love of church. and love of souls.
And first. love of country. | do
not desire to assume the lmdignified
role Of calamity bowler and prophe-
sy The dissolution Of the American
Nation. or the breaking Of its power,
yet | can not refrain from lamenting
that there is vice which is threat
ening to become national with us.
which is, already appalling in its
proportions, and which, did it grow
unchecked. would prove i'll short
time the deadliest foe to Americas
strength the abating of her glorious
future. For this reason | shall give
my best efforts for the cultivation
Of national sentiment against in
temperance that threatens to sweep
over the land
Secondly, | speak out of love for
the Church. 1t is not infrequently
charged against the Catholic Church
by those who are her enemies, that
she condones the sin of intemper-
ance in the Individual and counte-
nances the saloon traffic. even in its
worst forms. | desire to give the
lie TO that SANDER, for the Catholic
Church uncompromisingly con-
dennis whatever is sinful in the. use
or sale of liquor: she commands her
children under pain of sin to be tenn
perate, and strongly urges US to the
practice Of total abstinence.
Finally. | speak out of love for
souls. With missionary the saddest
of his sad experiences is witnessing
the dreadful havoc of wrecked and
ruined souls, the unfortunate vic
tins of the demon of strong drink
As sin upon the soul of man,
drunkenness is of the lowest order.
In itself it is hideous beyond de-
scrlption. 1t ruins mans intellect,
destroys his will power. completely
demorallZes his whole character and
leaves him only shadow of what
he was when he came from the hand
of God. In a word, it humans man.
And who shall tell of the multitude
of other evils that follow in it's
wake? Impurities, blasphemy, muir
der and rapine; the specter of pau
perlsm, gaunt hunger and desolate
despair. These are only part.
Against the sin of drunkenness.
therefore,. which is a deadly disease
snawing at the vitals 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 plead
for the virtue Of total abstinence.
With regard to the use of liquor,
temperance means simply modera-
ton but total abstinence means a
complete denial to ones self of the
use OF liquor, even i'll moderation.
This is virtue which, when
prompted by some noble motive. is
more meritorious in the sight of
God. And there is a motive which |
shall now present to ALL even to the
temperate, for going the full way to
total abstinence, a motive which |
am sure will appeal to all. The mo-
tive is love"
These lectures will be continued
throughout the week. The subject
for each night is as follows:
Monday-"Belief in Christ.
Tuesday" Reading the Bible
Wednesday, True Church,
Thursday-''The Real Presence"
Friday" Confession"
Sunday-''Why | am Catholic -
These lectures are intended to ex-
plain the teachings of the Catholic
Church to all who may have had no
opportunity of hearing the Church
speaking for itself-to those who
have heard but one side of the ques-
ton. The public is cordially invited.
The lectures begin promptly at 8
o'clock