The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1916-09-09
DOMAIN OF TEMPERANCE
AN INCIDENT WITH A MORAL.

Coming home from Europe on one
tain-a ruddy-faced Scotsman-did
not use wine at the table, and when
urged, declined with great politeness.
The voyage was a boisterous one, and
as we neared the land a spirit of
thankfulness and sympathy was mani
tested at every meal. Wine was
called for, and the captain was fire.
quently toasted. On each of these
occasions he acknowledged the COM
pliment with cold water. There were
many professional men, including
ministers, judges, doctors and teach
ers, and all seemed to enjoy the fes-
tiVities of the last day or two. Many
times the passengers were hilarious,
and the effects of wine were very
prominent.
The captain refused to partake in
any way, giving no reasons, but de-
Ginning with the utmost courtesy
Some of the passengers were persist
ent to know why he could not join
them in taking a little wine-amOng
them a judge, who, on one occasion.
pressed the captain for reasons of his
refusal with persistency. The cap
tain answered in very solemn tone:
when boy in Scotland my ambi-
ton was to go TO sea. This my
mother refused to let me do. Finally,
after a long time, she consented, if
l would promise her never to touch
wine or spirits during my lifetime
On my knees at her side, with my
hand on the old family Bible, | made
| this promise, and l have never vio-
| lated it, and never shall. 1t is too
sacred. A few years later l was ship
wrecked, and with three other COM
rades was dashed to the rigging, and
| remained nearly two days before we
were taken off. We were numbed,
chilled and exhausted, so that we
| could hardly move. The boat that
rescued us carried with it a quantity
of brandy, and we were offered all
we could drink, but | refused, although
told that it was at the risk of my
| life. l said: I will die before | will
| take any spirits!' Both my comrades
drank freely, and became delirious,
then unconscious, and finally died, but
l recovered, and this taught me a les
son-that spirits we're not good even
| in extreme cases of eXhaustion-and
many times I have been grateful for
the promise | made my mother. Ny
father was a seaman and drinking
man, and he died in middle life. Ny
| mother knew the peril of a sailor.
and knew that | could not be different
unless l was pledged in advance. She
prayed for me while she lived, and
| that promise and her prayers have
carried me so far and will as long as
| live"
Tears came ITO the eyes of the
judge and other listening passengers.
Finally the judge said: you have
taught me a lesson. l, too, promised
my father on his death bed that [
would not drink spirits | have for
gotten it, but my life will change
after this, and l thank you, captain.
| most sincerely, for this lesson, and
from this time forth it will be the
rule of my life to help others to keep
away from drink"
Each one shook hands with the cap
tain in the deepest gratitude for his
courage, for he was a hero on a
higher plane than we ever realized.
That poor Scotch womans intuition
and faith that her boy would rise to
emiDence if he followed her promise
was fulfilled.
If mothers could only realize what
powerful influence they could i'm
press on the minds of the children,
influence that would go down to all
the future, how often they would use
it! This powerful, stalwart captain,
the idol of the passengers that travel
on the great liner, bearing the respon-
sibilities and cares, is a living ex
ample of a true man who is proof
against all Establishments, and who
can be depended upon in every COndi-
ton of strain and stress.
u. d. CyotherS. NJ y.