The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-03-08
THOUGHTS on INTEMpERANCE

very interesting article OH the pitt
able condition Of the man who Ii
downed by drink. This is subject
which Is uppermOst In many minds
these days. What shall eve do with
the drink question?
Our observation has bccn that harm
has been done the cause OF true tenn
perance by the movement known AS
the antl-saloon league. for there is a
certain amount of cussedneSs in men
that would make them refuse to quit
drinking when force Is applied or
threatened. Just az there are many
men who would refuse TO drink under
circumstances OF that kind-and yet
might he beguiled into II
Many man feels that lie Is stand
ing up for the exercise OF persona.
liberties" and his rights" to take a
drink whenever he feelV, like il" just
because of some Incorporate speech
on the part OF a perferyid and slack
talking prohibition worker, when the
same fellow with a few kinds words
could be induced to do almost any
thing. That Is human nature.
The greatest sermon on temperance
that has been preached in this country
was the product of the heart of that
great journalist, SaWBG. blythe. He
gave an account of his oYn expert
ences. II was q lesson that went, home
for it was full Of common aense and
humanity and heart.J Men. OF warm
hearts and big impulses, feel thing
of that kipd, an appeal ffom a man
who Is big and lovable and sensible.
Men, do not like to lbe criticised for
what they deem innocent diversions
in the, home town, when their very
critics go: away from home and, splurge
and SOW their wild oats and play the
good fellow, as is sometimes done.
What is debasing in others is with
themselves just e little furry OF over
vivacity.
There can be no double standard.
When man measures others he must
stand by his own yatdstick.
On the other hand there are true
temperance reformers who have never
tasted strong drink. Their hearts re-
ally and sincerely bleed when they see
a loyable personality yielding to
strong drink. They are not publicly
obtrusive in their views. they are truly
-solicitous about their fellow man. We
ssetieve thet they 6saye mehSby using
common sehses H. F,rt Y VI e--a
We believe the sermon of Sam G..
Blyteh in The Saturday Evening Post
of about fopreweeks ago was Tho finest
thing OF It's kind ever written. He does
not preach or scold. He does not even
plead. . lie, teIls,what liquor did for
Him and Winds jup with the statement
that he knows that It harmed him
and ne is done with t..
Oh, IL there were only little more
charity on the part of the nondrink-
Ing people Of q community. They
scorn the man who takes drink. and
he In turn scorns them for their sell
fiEhness. for there have come to his
ears some faint echo OF past scandal
IN the ,!fe Of the phsr!see. These
things should not be. II man is a
man and worth saving, as all men are,
Is there any sense in abusing him like
pick-poRet? He needs help. not
a shove downward. Sometime his
soul aches for friendly word.
The basis of Christian religion is
love. The basis of churchism is self
Importance. Men, who are deeply i'm
pressed with their own Elghteonsness
rarely have the sennine1ess or Heart
to trySto save aherring brother: They
put theschurchsahove Christianity, .1f
a man will come to church they may
become interested in him. They will
not invite him to church, perhaps, be-
cause he drinks.
There are two things that can save
this country from evils attendant upon
too amueh Indulgence in strong drink,
One is common sense. The other Is
prayer. Common sense must be ex-
ercised by the reformer and by the
object OF his efforts. Prayer from
people who really love thier fellow
man aud have faith in God will'work
miracles, even in these days.
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