GOSPEL TEMPERANCE.

Evening Star, Issue 6913, 28 May 1885, Page 4

GOSPEL TEMPERANCE.

TO THE EDITOR. Si ß> —Great has been the enthusiasm of the past fortnight; drunkards have been ' redeemed, and thousands have signed the i pledge ; but how long will it last, is a question that time only can tell. That Mr Booth 1 has accomplished much_ in the way of distributing bits of blue ribbon, and inducing large numbers to sign the pledge, I will not deny; but the proof of the pudding is m the eating of it, and so it will be with total abstinence. We ought *to see the hotels gradually close up ; we ought to see drunkenness and crime decrease, and peace and happiness increase ; but such is not the case—drunkenness is as rife as ever, and hotels as plentiful as ever. So it will be until tile axe is laid at tlic root o£ tlie evil. But ho.w is this to he accomplished, and where is the root of the evil to he found ." Many jump to the conclusion that it lies in the alcohol; others say that if we oulj could get Parliament to puss a Bill to prohibit the sale of alcohol all drunkenness would vanish. look lO Parliament and the Government roi everything, just as if the Government were responsible for all crime, drunkenness, and dull times. The fact is, no legislation can be formed that will compel people to remain sober and honest. We have oui laws of physics, which compel us to be temperate in all good things, and total abstinence from all poisonous and hurtful things. These laws have existed ever since the human race commenced to live, and will exist as long as the race exists. No legislation or prohibition can bring about the desired effect. Blue-ribbonism is not at the root of the evil, nor does it aceomplish the desired object. Wby docs it not ? Because it cannot get at the desired class, namely, the drunkards. If they do get a few to Bi>'n the pledge, it is not lasting, home do not even keep it a week, and out of 100 drunkards redeemed about 5 per cent, only can bo claimed as reformed. This is a very small percentage, for if we look at the number of drunkards Mr Booth has succeeded in inducing to sign the pledge ui Dunedin they would probably not number fifty altogether. Habitual drunkards cannot be cured by total abstinence. Of this we have ample proof by drunkards being sent to gaol fora long term of imprisonment, and on liberation they are found to have the same craving desire for strong drink. Such men and women can only he cured by scientific treatment. To remove the evils of intemperance we must look to the causes and remove them. We have to begin at our public schools. A child must he instructed how to live temperately, to know the right use of all good things, and to avoid all injurious and bad habits. To instruct a child in the laws of Nature and health is a hundredfold more . beneficial than to fill its head full of notions jind thoughts about an after-life of which we know nothing. Much can be done at home; hut many parents sadly want teaching themselves how to bring children up properly. We see enough of misery ni our colonial homes, and to expect children to improve themselves when they hear and see nothing In# degrading habits is out of the question. After a good training at school comes, we have to deal with young men and women. Many of our young men, after their daily work is over, spend their evenings and sometimes half the night at billiards, card playing, and drinking. Why do they do this 9 Because there are no other places which offer more inducements to them than our hotels. Therefore we want more attrac-tiveandmstractivelibraryandreadmg-rooms, gymnasiums, and debating societies, and more friendlinessshown to that despised class called larrikins. It is true we have improvement societies connected with every church, hut these cannot reach the lower classes. There must be no sect or creed to interfere with Nature’s grand work. Not until the causes of all crime and dishonesty have been found out and spoken about in plain open language will the race arise from this stagnant pool of superstition.—l Dunedin, May 28.