The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1911-09-23
TEMPERANCE WORK AMONG
THE YOUNG.


at the National Convention Of the
/ Catholic Total Abstinence Union
of America held at Scranton few
weeks ago were the following !:
Resolved, that we urge the forma-
ton of total abstinence societies
among juveniles; the adoption of
the total abstinence pledge at the
time Of Confirmation or first Holy
Communion; and the making Of
the total abstinence pledge fea-
ture of all Catholic juvenile socie-
ties.
These resolutions are but for
NAL expressions of what the Cath
Ollie Total Abstinence Union of
America has been urging for
many years The members of
that Union are beginning to real
ize more and more that the hope
of the temperance movement lies
in the young, and that, unless the
rising generation is pledged to to-
tai abstinence, the future of the
movement is wrapped in more or
less uncertainty.
But Of what value is the mere
reiteration Of these resolutions
year after year? AS heretofore,
no method for the incubation of
total abstinence principles among
the young has been brought for
ward. To insure practical ap-
plication of these resolutions the
Union should suggest some means
by which the young can be made
to take an interest in the temper
ance movement. It will not do
merely to urge the pledging of
the children to total abstinence at
the time Of Confirmation or Of
first Holy Communion; nor will it
do merely to express the wish that
| the total abstinence pledge be
made feature Of Catholic juven-
lie societies.
4 It is customary for the Bishops
Of this country to administer the
total abstinence pledge to the
children who receive Confirmation
at their hands. Many pastors,
likewise, give the pledge to the
boys and girls admitted to first
Communion. In these cases the
pledge calls for total abstinence
from all Intoxicating beverages
until the child reaches the age Of
twenty -one. Here then the wishes
Of the Total Abstinence Union are
largely realized. But what is the
result? IL the mere giving Of the
: pledge to children on these occa-
sions suffices. why this reiteration
Of old-time resolutions year after
: year? The reason must be sought
for in the fact that the pledge is
usually given to the children with
) out previous warning; and, as a
consequence, many of the little
ones are placed in an embarras-
sing position, not only because of
: their Ignorance of the drink prob
} lem and Of the reasons for taking
the pledge, but also in regard to
{ the attitude If their parents ON
this important point. It not in
frequently happens that when the
Bishop leaves the parish, the Incl
dent is considered closed, if not
actually forgotten. Is any effort
| made in the ajority Of eases to
4 see that the children keep the
$ pledge taken at first Communion
/ or Confirmation? Are they in
e structed in regard to it's reason
4 ableness by tesching them the
j, fundamental truths about the al
e cohol problems Are they not left
r to their own discretion as to the
E keeping Of the pledge except, per-
s haps, in parishes where there is a
! cadet society Y which they are
a affiliated as a matter Of form,
7 without any provision being made
for the creation of an intelligent
{ interest in the subject? The con-
e sequence Of this cannot fail to be
q disastrous to tie children them
j. selves and to the future of the
O temperance movement.
I'll No one denies that these chill
e dren stand on the threshold Of
i, youth, looking forward to the
|, most important period Of life as
e far as the formation Of proper
t habit OF thoughtand conduct are
t concerned; that their plastic ma
t. lures are most susceptible. of being
/ Influenced for god or evil. It is,
L therefore, the critical period in
r their lives. TheR are the crucial
years for the formation Of habits
: Of sobriety. Heh is where intel
it ligent work aid organization
: count. Before the pledge II al