What makes him say, " I'll cut my sticky
I didn't think 'twould make me sick,
My head it feels so very thick " ?
Tobacco I

What makes him rob his master's till.
To buy the weed his pipe to fill,
And smoke like his big brother Bill?
Tobacco !



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238 THE TEMPERANCE SPEAKEB,



What makes him on the Sabbath day
Worship a bit of dirty clay,
And keeps him from 6od*s house awa^?
Tobaoco I

Young men, don't draw another puff,
Or give your noses any snuff,
Or chew such nasty, poisonous stuff;
Believe me, you have had enough
Tobacco I



A Meeting without Speakers; or, The Chair^
man^s Expedients.

[Arranged for eight speakers.]

[The speakers, with the exception of the chairman, are seated in
different parts of the house among the audience.]

Chairman, Ladies and gentlemen, I am, as you per-
ceive, in a strange predicament. It is usual for a chair-
man, on an occasion like the present, to be surrounded by
speakers, who only need calling upon to rise and do their
best to interest, edify, and instruct their audience ; but
as I look around me I see on the platform nothing but
empty seats. Where the speakers are I cannot tell; for
anything I know, they may all have taken to themselves
wives, and therefore they cannot come. At all events,
one question naturally suggests itself: What are we to
do? To this question there are three alternatives:
first, we may all at once go home*; secondly, we may
open the meeting and send out for some speakers ; or,
thirdly, we may go on with the proceedings, and make
the best we can of the affair. As to going home at once.



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THE TEMPERANCE SPEAKER.



239



I very much dislike the thought of that ; it would argue
that we were entirely dependent on the exertions of •
others. As regards sending for speakers, it is a great
chance If we could obtain a supply, and we should prob-
ably lose a great deal of time in waiting ; so, for my own
part, I think we had better take the third alternative,
and make the best of it among onrselves. I am very well
aware that there are present a considerable number of
our own members, and several friends from other *' Bands
of Hope," besides other stanch abstaining fHends. In-
deed, I can see one at least I can depend on ; and when I
look ronnd and see so many intelligent countenances, and
cheerful, smiling faces, I am encouraged to hope we
shall have a goodly number of volunteers. We will,
however, open the meeting by singing the following
song {or any other thought suitable) : —

WB MEET TO-DAY IN GLADNESS.




We meet to-day In gladness.

To sing of conquests won 5
No note of painful sadness

Is mingled with our song ;
This day, renowned in story, —

The day of freedom's birth, —
We hail in all its glory,

We higfily prize its worth.

The Temperance flag is waving
0*er valley, hill, and plain;

Where ocean's sons are braving
The dangers of the main;



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240 THE TEMPERA L^CK SPEAKER.



The Pledge, the Pledge is given

To float on every breeze ;
. Oh, waft It, gracious Heaven,
O'er all the earth and seas.

Our cause, our cause is gaining

New laurels every day ;
The youthful mind we're training

To walk in wisdom's way.
Old age and sturdy manhood

Are with us, heart and'hand ;
Then let us all united,

In one firtn phalanx stand.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, the meeting is opened^
and no speakers have yet made their appearance on the
platform ; so we will ut once proceed with volunteers,
andj for my own part, I fcave no doubt that the meeting
will be even more interesting than with many stated
speakers. You know it Is an old saying that a volunteer
is worth two pressed men ; for myself, I shall reserve
any remarks I may have to make till near the conclusion,
or till they may be really required. I will therefore con-
clude my present remarks by inviting any person present
to favor us with either a speech, a recitation, or an ap-
propriate song,- to enliven cur meeting. . You need not,
unless you wish, come to tl e platform, but merely stand
upon the seat, and we will listen patiently to what you
may have to say, so long as j-ou keep to the point, and
do not become dry and tedious. ' I will, therefore, at
once sit down in order to make way for the volunteers
of our " Band of Hope " corps. (^Chairman takes his seat,)

First speaker. Well, Mr. Chairman, ladies and gen-
tlemen, I must say that for my own part I am glad lo see
that platform without speakers for once at least; for

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THE TEMPERANCE SPEAKER. 241



there are some few among us who would gladly some-
times speak a few words byway of getting our hands in,
or rather our tongues, but those strangers take up all
the time ; but, if my ftriends are of my mind to-night
they will " Make hay while the sun shines," and let no
time be lost in waiting. I am proud to say I belong to
this Bancfof Hope. I am proud to say I am a teetotaler.
Though I am young, I have seen much of the evils of
drunkenness, and known many who have experienced its
debasing effects. In short, I regard drunkenness as one
of the greatest curses of our land. It ruins the character,
undermines the health, empties the pocket, and fills our
prisons, poor-houses, mad-houses, and church-yards, an-
nually, with thousands of victims ; it robs our pulpits, our
colleges, and our congregations, of their brightest orna-
ments, drags them from their high position, and places
them far, far below the level of the brutes that perish.
But, sir, we rejoice to know that total abstinence is
gaining ground ; new members are continually being en-
rolled In ev6ry part of ^le country; we have many
excellent societies formed, amongst which we may notice
the Sons of Temperance, Good Templars, Templars of
Honor, and others. But, sir. In my opinion, there are
no societies connected with the abstinence movement
better calculated to produce a sober nation than the
Bands of Hope, which I am glad to say are springing up
throughout our land. For my own part, I have not very
much faith in the ** Maine Liquor law ;" it may be because
I do not know much about it ; but this I do know, that
you cannot destroy the inclination for drink by legis-
lating; and, unless you destroy the thirst, or, in other
words, the demand, the supply will be forthcoming eltbcr
by legitimate or illegitimate means. But, sir, in our
Bands of Hope we. crush the monster in the bud, — we
16

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242 THE TEMPERANCE SPEAKER.



destroy the appetite, or rather prevent Its formation, and
thns stop the supply ; for, if there be no demand, there
will be no brewers, no distillers, no death-dealing
dram-shops ; our hearts will be gladdened by the sight
of barley turned to Its proper use, beerhouse signs com-
ing down, liquor-sellers turning Into honest and credit-
able citizens, and crime, poverty, and degradation fast
diminishing fh>m our fair land, and Industry, happiness,
and peace increasing. With these few remarlss, Mr.
Chairman, I beg leave to sit down.

[Another rises in s different part of the.audienoe.]

Second speaker. Mr. Chairman, this meeting suits me
exactly. I like to have our friends get up, one after
another, and express their opinions on this matter. I,
too, am a teetotaler, and I go for teetotal prohibition as
well as teetotal abstinence. If we cannot destroy the
inclination to drink, by legislation, we can take away
the right and the power to sell. If It Is right to sell,
then why Is It not right to drink? and if It is not right
to drink, then I do not see how It Js right to sell'. Laws
may not make men moral, %ut they can prevent them
ftom injuring their fellow-men. I go for fighting old
Alcohol wherever you can find him ; he Is everywhere a
mighty foe, and we will have to use every efifbrt to drive
him from the earth.

Third speaker, Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentle-
men, I must say that I am very much pleased with the
kind of meeting we are likely to have this evening. I
think that by way of change It will be very acceptable
to all parties concerned; and whilst our friend was
speaking of Bands of Hope, I remembered having seen
a piece of poetry which I have been endeavoring to
recall to memory, and with your permission, sir, I wUl
re^^e It to the audience. It Is entitled : — '

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THE TEMPERANCE SPEAKER 243



KING ALCOHOL.

King Alcohol

Was a fiery old soul, —

A fiery old soul was he ;
He lit a fiame
That none could tame,
. And it burned most dreadftdly.

Some pious men.
By speech and pen,

By sermon and by prayer,
AsSailed the fire ;
But it mounted higher

And blinded with its glare.

The Legislature tried

To stay the wide-
Spread ruin with a bill ;

But he laughed at them,

And burned the men
Of law in his fiery still.

Some men of wit
The notion hit.

Of changing the old rogue's ftiel:
The fire, 'tis true.
Awhile burnt blue,

Then blazed with a flame more crueL

Old Alcohol

He scorned them all,

And every fresh appliance !
His glass he quaffed
And gilmly laughed,

And glowed in red defiance.



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244 THE TEMPERANCE SPEAKEB.

Cold water men
Assailed him then.

And all their pumps applying,
The fiery old boy
Cries, "Hold! Ahoy!"

For his fame and his fire are dying.

[Sits down.— A slight pause ensues.]

Chairman, Come, myitieuds, I shall be glad to hear
some others. I am glad that oar friends have come for-
ward so promptly. I think it may betaken as an omen
of a lively meeting. Who will next favor us with either
a speech or a recitation ?

Fourth speaker, Mr. Chairman, I tWnk I have heard
you, or some of the committee, say, that Bands of Hope
ought not to be exclusively teetotal meetings ; and any
subject should be introduced that is calculated to lead
ns young folks in the good way. Now, sir, there is one
habit in particular I should like to say a few words
about. I mean smoking. There are two or three class-
mates of mine who have recently taken up that habit,
and I look upon it as being disgraceful as well as injuri-
ous to our youth; for it injures the body, and enervates
or weakens the brain and mental powers, makes a foul
and disagreeable breath, helps to -empty the pocket, and
often, and indeed naturally, leads to drinking intoxicat-
ing drinks, which bear in their train all the evils of
which man in his unrenewed and degenerate nature Is
capable, and — [^Interrupting »'\

Fifth speaker. Mr. Chairman, I should like to say a
few words. I know to whom Fred alludes in particu-
lar; he means me, because I have' just begun smoking
{Chairman interrupting ^**7».]

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THE TEMPERANCE SPEAKER. 245



Stop a moment or two, my young friend. You Lave
interrupted tlie previous spealier, and you must allow
him to proceed unless he is willing to enter into an ar-
gument with you on the subject, which perhaps would
be an agreeable change.

Fourth speaker, I have no objection at all, if Tom
wislies it ; but I must say that I had no intention of
naming any person. Are you willing to argue the point
with me, Tom ?

Tom. Yes ! I don't mind, though I never thought much
about the matter; but I should like to hear how you can
prove all that you've said about smol^ing, for I think
you will be puzzled to do that ; but I'll tell you, before
you begin, that if you will prpve what you have said, I'll
smolie no more, and I will give you this pipe to keep for
me till I ask for it. \_Produce8 a'pipe."]

Fred, Well, then, I believe I said, in the first place, it
was a bad habit» inasmuch as It injures the body, anr-
enervates or weakens the brain. Now, you are weU
aware that it is the food Which gives strength to the
body ; and if through any cause the food is prevented
ftom digesting or giving out ail its nutriment, it natu-
rally follows that the body is deprived of so niuch
strength.

Tom, Certainly, but you'll have a job to prove that
smoking has that effect ; for the tobacco does not enter
into the stomach at all.

Fred, Granted; but God has placed in our mouths,
near to the angle of the jaws, numerous small glands or
vessels, whose office it is to supply saliva to moisten
the food, and the better to prepare it for the action of
the stomach ; and unless th^ food is thus moistened, the
stomach has less power over it ; the food is longer in
digesting, even if digested at all ; and then the smoker



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246 THE TEMPERANCE SPEAKEB.



goes to the doctor or the pill-box, for a remedy for
indigestion I

Tom. Bat you have not yet proved that smoking les-
sens the quantity of saliva I Now, I maintain that it
increases it, and so must be an aid instead of a hin-
drance according to what you said a few minutes since.
I think I have you there, Master Fred, at all events I

Fred. Stop, Tom, not quite so fast I I admit that it
causes an increase of saliva in the mouth, but it is at
an improper time, and the saliva, instead of going into
the stomach to aid digestion, goes rather into the spit-
toon, or upon the ground, often to the annoyance of
those near. But, you will, perhaps, ask how it is that
the saliva comes more freely into the mouth when*
smoking? I answer, that the warmth of the smoke in
the mouth causes the openings of the glands to relax,
and the saliva they contain exudes into the mouth, is
thrown away by the "smoker, and when wanted to
moisten the food at meal times, the glands are empty,
or nearly so, and the food has to pass into the stomach
in an unprepared state ; and the action of the stomach
being thereby weakened, the food is passed off undi-
gest'ed, or it remains in the stomach and causes indiges-
tion. In either case the body is deprived of its needftil
supply of strength; and, consequently, the brain suffers
from that cause as well as from the deleterious vapors
which permeate the head, often causing stupefaction,
and sometimes ultimate death.

Tom. Well, you have managed me there. I allow it
seems very probable, but how did you get this informa-
tion?

Fre^. Some little I may have got flrom ooservation,
but that with youths like us is not always to be relied
on, OT>less our own observations are borne out by those

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THE TEMPERANCE SPEAKER. 247



of older, better, and wiser men. The principal part,
however, I have got from reading; from the speakers at
our Band of Hope meetings, and some from conversa-
tions with various persons. As for the next two reasons
I suppose I may take it for granted you allow them.

Tom, Why, not exactly I I admit it nftikes the breath
bad, but it does not empty my pocket much, for an
ounce lasts me ve^y well a week.

Fred. Remember, Tom, I was not taking your case
alone ; I was taking smoking in the whole as a habit ; but
even If it costs you three cents a week now, when the
habit is hardly formed, how much will it cost when you
are become as great a smoker as some persons we both
know?

Tom, But how does it lead us to drink?

Fred, Why, Tom, you are now talking for the sake
of talking. Why, you know, as I have before proved,
that smoking wastes the juices of the body, and liquids
have to be taken to supply this waste ; and unless a man
is a total abstainer firom intoxicating drinks, he drinks
for two reasons, — first, because they are easily obtained ;
second, there is often what is called jolly good com-
pany to be had where they are sold. But to what does-
that jolly good company lead? A diseased constitution,
a vitiated mind, a shattered body, a miserable home, and
often to none at all ; and, at the end, to a drunkard'9
grave, and it Is to be feared to a drunkard's hell ; for in
God's Word we read, "No drunkard can inherit the
kingdom of heaven."

Tarn, Why, this is a sad picture I If I thought that-
it would lead me so, I would give it up at once ; and yet
it may. Here, Fred, take this pipe and keep it till I ask
you for it. I intend to give up at once. Here I lGive$
a pipe.'}

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.248 THE TEMPERANCE liPEAKEB.



Fred. Well, I am glad to hear you say io ; but it will
take some perseverance.

Tom, I know that, but I've made up my mind. IBoth
git down.']

Chairman, This is a subject which I am glad to hear
has been mentibned this evening ; it is one that ought
to be Impressed on the minds of our youth especially,
and I quite agree with all our young friend has advanced
in support of his argument for its suppression, nor am
I less pleased that its late advocate has abjured the
pipe; and though for a time he may feel debarred a
little indulgence, yet in the long run I can promise him
much pleasure in reflecting on his present renunciation of
the pipe. I could wish that others would abjure it also.
There will yet be time for two or three more to speak or
recite. Who will next favor us ?

Sixth speaker, I will, Mr. Chairman. Whilst I have
been sitting here I have been thinking over the princi-
pal obstacles in the way of the progress of total absti-
nence. I can find none greater than the class called
moderate drinkers, for it is their example which keeps
• many from joining our ranks, and it is from their body
alone that the thousands of victims are supplied, to be
offered in sacrifice, body and soul, to strong drink and
the devil. I say from their ranks alone; for if men
never drank moderately they would never drink immod-
erately; in short, 'I look upon a moderator as being a
greater obstacle than the vilest drunkard in the town.
A man does not become a drunkard all at once. Oh, no !
he sees Mr. So-and-so, a»rel.'gious character perhaps,
perfectly sober, steady, highly respected by his fellow-
townsmen, and yet he always takes a little at dinner,
and a glass before he goes to bed at night. He reasons
/within himself, Well, if he can take a little with credit to

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THE TEMPERANCE SPEAKER. 249



himself, I can, and therefore he follows his example;
and, Mr. OhairmaD, we all know that *' example teaches
more than precept." He takes a glass or two a day, and
never for a moment considers that there is a great differ*
ence in their temperament. Mr. So-and-so is probably
of a qniet temperament, averse to mach companyi;
whereas he himself is fond of company, and being per-
haps a good hand at telling a racy tale, or singing a good
song, his company is sought after, and his vanity flat-
tered ; he becomes excited, drinks more than he ought
to do, and having become inured to the sight of men
anything but sober, he ceases to look upon it as some-
tiling to be dreaded; for as the old couplet has it : —
•

** Yioe seen too near, familiftr with his face;
First pity, next endure, then embrace.''

He at last falls, is taken home drunk; he resolves, how-
ever, it shall not be so again, and for a time remains true
to his resolve ; but the appetite has been created, and no
power of hiis, so long as he takes a little drop, can save
him (for a little drop is only adding fuel to flame).
He eventually becomes « soaker, and is oftcner found at
the table than at business, and falls step by step till his
family are brought to the depths of degradation and pov-
erty, and he himself fills a drunkard's grave, — perhaps
pitied, yet despised by all who knew him. Again,
therefore, before I sit down I must repeat that I look
upon moderate drinkers as the enemies of the church,
whose example leads many not possessed of the samf
strength of mind to the bottomless pit and a drunkard's
grave. And I will just ask them what reply they will
make when the question is put to them, " Where is thy
brother? '* Will they not be speechless? Will not the
words of St. Paul condemn them where he says, " It



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250 THE TEMPERANCE SPEAKER.



is good not to drink wine, or anything wherebj thy
brother stnmbleth, or is offended, or is made weak"?
With these few remarks, Mr. Chairman, I beg leare to
sit down.

Seventh speaker, Mr. Chairman, if there be time, I
should like just to recite a piece of poetry or rhyme on
moderation, which I met with a few days since. I think
it is very applicable as a sequel to the remarks just made
by our friend. It is called : —

MODERATION.

A many now, And fault

With our teetotal plan.
And say we need not quite abstain

To save a drunken man.

They argue moderation's best, —

A little now and then ;
They tell you that of old 'twas taken.

By good and holy men.

They'll tell you that good David said.
Wine glad the heart would make ;

And tell you, too, that Paul prescribed
Wine for the " stomach's sake.*'

But then they quite forgot to add

That one has said beside,
That they who tarry with the wine.

Woe shall to them betide.

Wine is a mocker, and strong drink

Is raging 'neath its guise ;
And whoso'er's deceived by it.

Most surely is not wise.



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THE TEMPERANCE SPEAKER. 25J



And though St. Paul may recommend

Wine to a weakly man,
He clearly was an advocate

Of our abstaining plan.

For, writing to the Romans, he

Declared it was not good
That we should drink so as to offend

One of the brotherhood.

The moderate ranks supply the men

That crowd the path of crime ;
Be caatious, jouthftil hearers, all;

Take warning in good time I

For though It pleasant seems at flrsfe

To take a sparkling bowl,
•Twill mock you as you fiirther go,

Endangering your soul.

Though it be pleasant to the taste.

Be sure 'twill ruin bring;
For like a serpent it will bite,

And like an adder sting.

Then we'll not moderators be,

But join the abstinence band ;
And when we older grow will make

Its fame o*erspread the land.

May God our feeble efforts blesa

With multiplied success ;
And while we sojourn here belcw.

Onr souls and labors bless I

ISits down.2



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252 THE TEMPEKANCE SPEAKEB.



Chairman^ I am, for my own part, especially pleased
with the proceedings of to-night; and with the first vol-
nnteer I can truly say, I hope there will be more such.
. I am not aware that any remarks have been made which
can be said to be out of place; indeed, all the subjects
have, in my opinion, been very suitable for a meeting
like the present. The argument for the abolition of
smoking was good, and I would advise every member of
our Band of Hope, especially our juveniles, to avoid so
foul a practice ; but I was no less pleased to hear the
remarks on moderation,— a subject I am afraid that Is too
little thought of and dweU) upon. It is indeed fVom the
ranks of moderators that all the drunkards are supplied.
Indeed, I think I may with safety say, there never was a
drunkard y however deep his dye or degraded his station,
who was not at one time a moderate drinker. Oh that
all our youths would, with one heart and mind, say with
me the last verse but one of the piece on moderation,
which our last speaker has recited I —

V TbeA well not moderators be.
But Join thet abstinence band ;
And when we older grow will make
Its Dune overspread the land.''

May its fame soon o'erspread the land, and may the
time soon come when not one drunkard shall remain to
blot this fair land; but when peace, happiness, and
plenty may fill every house ; when children may grow
like olive-plants about our table, our churches and chap-
els be filled, and the beer-houses shut up and *' to let t "
Then shall we have, indeed, a foretaste of that time men-
tioned by Isaiah, and before alluded to, when the wil-
derness shall blossom as the rose, and the desert and the
solitary place shall be glad, and all mankind shall see
the salvation of our God.



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THE TEMPERANCE SPEAKER. 253



The Teetotal Alphabet*

[This can be spoken by twenty-six children, each adyaikcing saj-
ing one verse, and then retire.]

A — is for alcohol, with poisonoas breath,
Bringing us misery, wretchedness, death I

B — stands for brandy, — its use we know well —

Brings woe to our homes, is of hope thedeath-kneUt

C — constitution, so ruined by drink 1

Then folks shouldn*t use it, — so all of us think.

D — for the drunkard. God help him, say we ;

May he soon take the pledge, and he'll happier be.

B— for the end which the drunkard must reach;
. For he cannot gain heaven, the Scripture doth teach.

F— for a fhddle ; a glorious name I

Which means getting drunks or slewed,— all the same I

O— for the gammofi the landlord tries on,

While he gets all the money, then bids yon begone I

H — for the home which the drunkard neglects, —
His happiness ruins, and his prospects wrecks.

I — for' the inn where the liquors are sold ;