AN INCREASING CALL.

White Ribbon, Volume 32, Issue 377, 18 December 1926, Page 8

AN INCREASING CALL.

Our name, Women’s Christian Temperance Union, emphasises our energy in the work we find near to our hands, the Temperance work to which we apply ourselves unceasingly. But as

Christians we cannot believe ourselves justified in neglecting Ills other than one prominent. There are hungry to feed, weak to strengthen, blind to lead, and we cannot afford to neglect a growing evil that increases the number of those in need. Even in churches the first steps to what is often referred to as our “national vice of gambling” Is encouraged frequently. It sounds to many honest and well-meaning people simply übsunl to term little raffles etc., where children are urged to sj>end sciences, as encouragements *uid first steps In gambling. But the principle is the same in every kind of gambling. These begin nings the more tempting because con ducted by people beyond criticism for their personal goodness, are very at tractive beginnings to the growing vicious habit of trying to get something for nothing, or for very little. A step very close, which those who approve of the one cannot reasonably condemn, so that it is very’ respectable in its patronage, is advertised so indus triously that it is pushed against every one, everywhere, in daily papers and shop w indows. That is the Art Union If it did no other harm, this practice would be dangerous in its steady encouragement of dislike and contempt for steady work. “You may win a for tune any day, just by risking a trifle. No effort needed, only trust in luck % Someone is sure to win, why should it not be you?” Just the encouragement young people need to help them put their barks and bruins into making themselves good honest workers for the country’s benefit, as well as their own this kind of thing, isn’t it? Repeated so persuasively everywhere, seen every day. it cannot fail of effect. Very few of us are l>orn to love plodding, very’ few so fond of reasoning that we alw’ays try to apply it. As members of the Union, we ail need to work promptly and steadily If we are to make headway against the evil that is consistently gaining ground We need not only to refrain from touching pitch ourselves, but to teach our children to abstain from any touch however slight. If w - e do not bother to teach them now, be sure our opponent will think them worth endless trouble We can see proof of that any day. And surely we know wall enough, by’ our personal experience, bow quickly w’eeds spring where good plants are not tended. KATHERINE MERGER.