The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-10-21
DOMAIN Or TEMPERANCE
ARCHBISHOP PRENDERGAST ON
THE TOTAL ABSTINENCE
MOVEMENT.

The wonderful change in public
opinion in the last twenty-five years
as regards the use of intoxicants is
largely due to the work Of the Catho-
lie total abstinence societies.
Yet, strange to say, the Catholic
total abstinence movement has not
advanced as a result of this change
OF sentiment, but, on the contrary as
it is claimed, has failed in interest
and activity. There are indeed, many
more Catholic total abstainers today
than ever before, but they are not
affiliated with the Catholic total alb
stinence movement. Gin this diocese
we may say that we are holding our
own, but not progressing as we would
wish.)
How explain this curious condition
of affairs? There are many causes,
the chief of which, no doubt, lies
deeply imbedded in the psychology
of human nature. 1t is a we'll known
fact that it is much easier to arouse
to enthusiasm at the formation of
society than to preserve that spirit
after a few years have cooled the
first fervor of the leaders. 1t is char
| acteristic of human nature that it
enters eagerly into a new movement,
works enthusiastically for a time and
then gradually loses interest and
turns toward new fields of endeavor
In addition to this there are con
tributing causes peculiar to the
Catholic total abstinence movement
itself First of all, our railroads,
| shops, mills, factories, ETC., will not
| employ men who go to excess in the
use of strong drink, and at present in
both the large railroads of this city
the men who hold responsible posi-
| lions are prohibited from taking
| strong drink, not only during work
ing hours, but also &fter the days
work is over. Furthermore, it is
| practically true now that in our own
country young man has little
| chance of obtaining a responsible
position anywhere unless he is a
total abstainer. This would seem to
be an aid to our work, and indeed,
it would be a great aid, were it not
| that shops, mills, etc, have their own
unions and beneficial organizations,
which protect the man and his family
in case of injury and sickness. The
natural outcome of this is that
mothers finding themselves and their
children sufficiently protected, as they
say, are no longer interested in the
parish societies.
Another cause is the rise and
| growth of other Catholic organiza-
tions, such as the Holy Name So
cietys and the Knights of Columbus.
| These have not served to withdraw
men from the practice. of. total alb
stinence, but divided their allegiance,
and resulted in a lessening of inter
est and activity in the temperance
movement. In the past the beneficial
features proved a great incentive to
join the society. Nowadays the other
organizations offer better inducements
from a beneficial standpoint.
In regard to the boys societies the
great majority of our boys are leav-
| ing school when sixteen years Of age.
to work in shops, factories, ETC., and
| they are compelled to join the same
| beneficial organizations which their
fathers had joined. Consequently
they are unwilling to be transferred
to the mems societies, alleging that
they earn small wages and that they
are sufficiently protected against
accident and sickness. The higher
motive for continuing in the society
does not seem to have much weight
| with them. They are compelled to
be total abstainers if they would hold
their positions, and now that there is
such a great change of sentiment as
regards the use of intoxicants, the
cause seems to have no special at
traction. 1t has lost to them its APP
peal to the heroic spirit
Temperance halls, too I am told,
afford stumbling block to new So
cieties. The purchase of hall has
become the source of division among
members, of friction with parish in
terests and sometimes a detriment to
good conduct and seasonable hours.
To the members themselves also
attaches some of the blame for our
decline. They are prone to leave
everything to the clergy in the way
of missionary effort, and they do
little to increase the membership
themselves. They fail to support
their committees in making rallies
and celebrations successful. Many
jealous leaders have grown weary and
disheartened because they have not
received proper support from their
associates. Where beneficial features
prevail, many members simply send
in their dues, and never appear at
meeting or a society affair. They do
not support or read temperance litera-
ture. They are not in touch with the
movement, and SO give false impress
sions to outsiders.
A final, and perhaps the greatest
cause, lies in the character of the
leaders of the societies. 1t requires
constant and jealous interest on the
part of the priests to keep alive the
total abstinence society in a parish.
If the leader be not an ardent lover of
the cause and imbued with unflagging
zeal for its propagation among others.
there is little hope for the progress
of the movement. An indefatigable
leader, jealous for the cause. and
willing to work necessarily in the
face of unpromising rewards. will. 7
fhinL 0yprnnmn Soma ne +Ia rh.4..I