The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1917-01-06
DOMAIN OF TEMPERANCE
ADVANCING TOTAL ABSTINENCE,

authorities in the Church, the Sin.
preme Pontiffs, the Councils of Balti-
more, and the hierarchy of America,
1t advocates the practice Of absti
nence from all forms of alcoholic
liquors. 1t is strictly a Catholic or
ganization into which only practical
Catholics are admitted. IT is as dis
tinctively Catholic as the League of
the. Sacred Heart, the various relie-
ious sodalities and societies of the
Church. 1t has been enriched nv
numerous blessings and indulgences
by each successive Supreme Pontiff
from the time Of Pope Plus TX.
Its creed is personal total absti,
| hence from intoxicating liquors as an
| act OF religion. 1t obliges it's mem.
bers to abstinence through a super
natural motive, in imitation Of the
Sacred Thirst and Passion of our
| Lord. it realizes that acts of absti-
nence may be raised from the natural
to the supernatural, through the mo-
tive by which they are performed.
| This principle is in conformity with
the teaching Of the Church. as laid
down by the great Apostle, ST. Paul.
1t embraces in it's membership large
number Of the hierarchy, priests, re-
| ligious, and laity. 1t has been most
active and instrumental in effecting a
decided change Of opinion in America
| on the question Of the use of intoXi-
eating drink. It's influence has spread
to Catholic and non-Catholic circles,
and its principles are universally ac-
cepted as the only sure and effective
solution Of the drink evil
1t has no relation to any other
phase Of drink reform. tt cannot
drift into nor be assimilated with any
other reform movement, because all
others are built only on natural mo-
tives. 1t does not claim that legisla-
tive measures alone can enforce the
practice of sobriety 1t treats the
liquor question as moral one, al
though it does not lose sight of the
many other evil aspects that are asso-
ciated with drink. 1t realizes that no
moral reform can be brought about
simply by legislating a prohibitory
law upon the people. The reform
must come from within: it must he
the result Of conviction, but convic-
ton which needs the grace Of God to
be carried into practice.
1t does not say that alcoholic liquor
is an evil in itself. But it does say
that there are many serious dangers
that lie in the path of those who
drink, and it clearly sees those dan
gers, and it is constantly warning the
Catholic world to avoid those dan
gers lest they perish, to avoid them
absolutely by refraining from drink.
1t also recognizes that they who
drink immoderately, or who lead
others into the occasions or tempta-
tons by which they fall into drunk
enness, are guilty of an offense
against the law of God.
The union has a twofold object: to
gain converts from the ranks of those
who are using Intoxicating liquor
moderately or immoderately; and to
help those to persevere who have not
yet begun its use. The first object is
indeed difficult, because the evil habit
has been formed, the taste for intoxi-
eating drink has been cultivated and
the subject is not open to conviction
on the dangers. He does not wish to
be convinced. His affections tend the
opposite way. He does not realize
the abyss that is yawning before him.
He has neither the will nor the de-
sire to go to the edge. He flatters him.
self that he has will-power to restrain
himself when he draws too near. 1t
is an affront to his manhood even to
imply that he is following the same
path, and ultimately may arrive at the
same end. Hence the arguments of
the Total Abstinence Union are for
the most part, lost on him, and the
union may not hope to draw great
strength from this class.
Strengthens the Confirmation Pledge.
Again, there are vast number of
boys and girls who, at the time of
confirmation, have been pledged to
abstain from intoxicating drink That
pledge is intended to carry them
through the danger periods of life,
when habits are formed, and associa-
lions make their lasting impressions.
Under the shadow of that standard of
temperance, they may advance to
manhood and Womanhood, strong and
sound in body and mind and heart,
with their passions and inclinations
under control, with their souls
schooled in self-denial, better fitted
to live Christian lives and become
honorable citizens.
That pledge is intended to carry
them through the danger period. But
If the child be left unsupported, eX-
cept by the pledge, if no further eff
forts be made to educate him against
the dangers that lie in the use of al
coholic liquor, if that education be
not an essential part of the early
school training, if he be not bound
with others for mutual support and
encouragement, organized into a So
ciety which upholds the principle of
total abstinence, the danger period
will leave it's evil effects upon the
young life, and. perhaps, totally de-
stroy the value of that pledge.
, 1t is the aim of the Total Absti-
nence Union Of America, through its
L IL