VICTORY DELAYED.

White Ribbon, Volume 28, Issue 336, 18 June 1923, Page 6

VICTORY DELAYED.

paper read before the Turakma Union.) I am sure that we are all very sorry Cat we cannot rejoice together to-day ?i*at Prohibition has been carried. There 1 as been a good deal in the various 1 a pel's as to the reason it was not car--1 ed. Some say one thing, and some r inother. Mrs Lee-Cowie gives it as her opinion that there was not enough j layer about it. She says that at many meetings she attended there was no prayer offered, and that if we were depending on our own efforts, it is no wonder we did not win. But whatever was the cause, God has not seen fit to give us the victory yet, so we must just go on with the fight. There is no doubt that because it has been the habit and custom for so many centuries to use strong drink, that all the evidence that is brought to prove that it is narmful, does not carry the weight that it should do. People say “Boand-8o has always taken it, and it has not done them any harm.” Kven those who have indulged to excess are quoted as being healthy and long livers, and even as being proof against epidemics. Then, too, where the appetites and the plea sures of the people are affected, they . re always ready to excuse themselves from taking any heed to the evidence that proves their indulgence is harm ful both to themselves and others, and so the evil traffic is allowed to continue and to ruin many homes and break many hearts. If we look at history we tee how it has ruined men and nations. The Assyrians, Greeks and Homans were all at one time hardy and temperate peoples, but when their victories were followed by drink and licentiousness. their power was soon gone, and ihey in their turn were conquered by a more powerful race. And it is the same with individuals. Alexander conquered the world, anjl then let drink conquer him. Byron was a great poet, but drink was his ruin. And many others could be quoted who were once great, and then were brought low because of drink. Science too witnesses in favour of total abstinence, and tells us that alcohol is a poison, and not a food; that its use is harmful to the heart and brain, and digestive organs. It tells us also that to make alcohol, much good fruit and grain are destroyed every year, and

further, that alcohol Is rarely found in nature, excepting where decay and rottenness is, and that it has no useful place or work to do in the body. Experience is also a witness that should compel people to pay heed, for it tells that alcohol is the great destroyer of nations, families and individuals. It tells of ruined health, and ruined homes, of poverty, wretchedness and vice, as the result of this great evil. It tells ot work done in the cold of the Arctic regions, in the heat of the Tropics, on land and sea, in every kind of labour, and of the work being better done without the aid of strong drink than with it. Yes, the principles of Prohibition have been tried for many years, and have proved that men are happier healthier. ?K)th morally and physically, wifhout strong drink than with it; so our disap pointment is great that our I>ominion ‘-hould not have given it a trial. But we are no worse off than we were before. and w’e must just start again with renewed vigour to fight the evil traffic. And we must remember tha* the fight against alcohol is only one of our branches of work. First of all, v r are i Christian Union, and the evangelistic department of the work is placed first on our little leaflets, that we may lecognise that all our work is being done lo advance the Kingdom of God. Then ihe town branches do a lot in connection with Purity work. Some of you may have read the accounts of the reel nt Medical Convention ir. Christwhen a good many reforms were brought forward to be submitted to the Government. 1 feel sure that the Headquarters of the W.C.T.P will take this up, and I think it would be advisable for us as members to undersland about these measures, so that we w'ould be able to give an opinion if we are asked to sign any petition. Theu there is Bible in School work, work among the seamen, and various othei schemes. By being a member of the Union, we aie helping on L.l these different branches of work, and the more members we can get, the more we help, and the more we help now the quicker will nome the victory over evil.