The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1918-01-19
REV. WILLIAM KETcHAM DOMAIN OF TEMPERANCE
WHAT A GOOD MOTHER MAY DO.

The following story well illustrates
what good mother may do in the
way of ensuring for her son, not only
a clean, moral life, but also life
successful from a temporal stand
point:
Coming home from Europe on one
of the great liners l noticed the cap
tain-a ruddy-faced Scotchman - did
not use wine at the table, and when
urged declined with great politenes3
The voyage was a boisterous one,
and as we neared the land a spirit of
thankfulness and sympathy was mani
tested at each meal. Wine was called
for, and the captain was frequently
toasted. On each of these occasions
he acknowledged the compliment with
cold water. There we're many profess
sional men, including ministers,
judges, doctors and teachers, and all
seemed to enjoy the festivities of the
last day or two. Many times the pas
sengers were hilarious, and the effects
of wine were very prominent.
The captain refused to partake in
any way, giving no reasons, but de-
clining with the utmost courtesy.
Some of the passengers were persis-
tent to know why he could not join
them in taking a little wine-among
them judge, who, on one occasion,
pressed the captain for reasons of
his refusal with persistency. The cap
tain answered in a very solemn tone:
The Captains Story.
when boy in Scotland, my am
bition was to go to sea. This my
mother refused to let me do. Finally,
after a long time, she consented, if
| would promise her never to touch
wine or spirits during my lifetime.
On my knees, al her side, with my
hand on the old family Bible, / made
this promise, and I have never vio-
lated it, and never shall. 1t is too
sacred. A few years later / 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 much so
that we could hardly move. The boat
that rescued us carried with it q
quantity of brandy, and we were
offered all we could drink, but l re-
fused, although told that it was at the
risk OF my life. said, L will die be-
fore l will take any spirits!' Both of
my comrades drank freely, and be-
came delirious, then unconscious, and
finally died, but | recovered, and this
taught me lesson, that spirits were
not good even in extreme cases of
exhaustion, and many times / have
been grateful for the promise made
my mother. My father was seaman
and a drinking man, and he died in
mludle life. My mother knew the
peril OF sailor, knew that / could
not be different unless I 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"
Taught the Judge Lesson.
Tears CAME to the eyes of the
Judge and other listening passengers
Finally the judge said, You havy
taught me a lesson. |, too, promised
my father on his death-bed that
would not drink spirits. have for
gotten it, but my life will chang
from this, and thank you, captain.
most sincerely, for this lesson, AMI
from this time forth it will be til
rule of my life to help others to keep
away from drink"
Each one shook hands with the
captain in the deepest gratitude for
his courage, for he was hero on
higher plane than we had ever real
lied. That poor Scotch woman's in
tuition and faith that her boy would
rise to eminence if he followed her
promise was fulfilled.
If mothers could only realize what
a 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 that great liner, bearing the re-
sponsibilities 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 con-
dition of strain and stress.
~ D. Crothers. N. D.
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