The American Missionary — Volume 37, No. 5, May, 1883Various
Religion
The American Missionary — Volume 37, No. 5, May, 1883
Various
Congregational churches -- Missions -- Periodicals; Home missions -- Periodicals
Take it here at Tillotson, we have a large and flourishing society,
the members of which are pledged to total abstinence from the use
of intoxicating drinks, and of tobacco. This pledge was adopted
more than a year ago, after a prolonged discussion, but nearly
all the students are now enthusiastic members of the society. The
meetings are held on the third Sabbath evening of each month. They
are full of interest and well attended. But this, like all good
things, is the result of effort. A committee, appointed for this
purpose, has at each meeting a well-filled programme. The more
advanced students have essays upon some phase of the temperance
work; others read articles bearing on the special subject before
the meeting. Thus, at one time, the object is to make manifest the
ill effect of rum and tobacco upon the human system; at another
the cost; the whole interspersed with appropriate music, reading
the Scripture and prayer. In this way there is variety, increase
of light, and the building up of a strong, because intelligent,
opposition to intemperance. And all this is under the direction
of the students. Of course the faculty is present, to do or say
any thing that may be helpful, but the real work is done by the
students, and these meetings are not only full of interest but
reflect great credit on those that have them in charge.
We are thus training up a noble band of young men and women,
whose influence is sure to be felt far and wide, and to become a
great and, I trust, controlling power in Texas, especially among
the colored people. This is our aim, and that our hope shall be
realized, we are confident, since God is in the work.
Thus it can be seen that the great rising tide of temperance, which
is sweeping over the North and Northwest, is making itself felt
here. Not strongly yet, but there is an underswell, a movement
among the more thoughtful, a shrinking back from the wasting,
impoverishing curse of strong drink, and from the filth and fume
of tobacco, which indicates, more clearly than words can, that
the day is close at hand, when the question of temperance, even
of prohibition, will become a living, and (may we not hope?) a
life-saving and a life-imparting issue here in this great, grand,
empire State.
* * * * *
TOUGALOO AND TEMPERANCE.
BY REV. A. HATCH, TOUGALOO UNIVERSITY.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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