ing, unprejudiced mind that she is rapidly advancing to her proper condition—the unqualified equal of man. Morally, socially, and religiously she is already by far his superior. As the world lays aside its barbarous notions, her sphere of usefulness will become more extensive. Her influence must grow more potential in the advancement of morality and temperance. Who can estimate the results of her efforts in the cause, though hampered as she has been by the opposing forces of prejudice and ignorance?

Look at the great work she has done in the organization and maintenance not only of temperance societies and orders, but in many others, having in view the amelioration of the condition of mankind. Wherever there is suffering, wherever there is distress, wherever there is destitution and despair, there may she be found like a ministering spirit, sacrificing herself upon the altar of her sympathy for the afflicted of her race. There are some who are disposed to speak lightly of her efforts to redeem mankind from the curse of intemperance. Then, there are some who are inclined to scoff and sneer at her for wasting her energies in the promotion of the cause which, above all others, so nearly concerns her own destiny and happiness. There are those who cry out in the language of a distinguished Texas Senator, addressed to the ministry, "Scourge her back" to the narrow sphere of her domestic operations. These are the sentiments of those who talk learnedly of "personal liberty" in everything else, and particularly as it relates to any proposed remedy for the evils of drunkenness and the ultimate suppression of the liquor traffic. To woman's ceaseless and united efforts in this cause may justly be attributed the beginning of the mighty revolution which is most certainly upon up, and which must, in time, sweep drunkenness, with all its concomitant evils and misery, from the face of our country, even as the blight of slavery was lifted from American soil within the last quarter of a century.

CHAPTER V.

REMEDIES INDEPENDENT OF LEGISLATION.

THE CHURCH AND ITS MINISTRY-THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.

Since the days of the apostles there has existed through many vicissitudes of prosperity and adversity, an organization known as the Church of Christ, established by Him as the representative of His visible kingdom on earth. From the cardinal doctrines upon which the great superstructure of the great Christian religion is based a diversity of theories and opinions pertaining to scriptural interpretation and church government have sprung up, giving rise to the many denominations of christians known throughout the religious world. To the broad and liberal mind nearly all of the differences which have so long divided the church into hostile factions and into denominations, often bitterly and uncompromisingly antagonistic to each other, are altogether frivolous, and amount to little more than the distinction between "tweedle dum and tweedle dee." The dissensions that have so long divided and distracted the church, and in so many instances paralyzed its influence for good in the world, are but the outgrowth of human weakness and bigotry. They have no place in the divine economy of the church, and it must be evident to every observing mind that these trifling obstacles in the way of religious progress are fast giving way to a more liberal and enlightened public sentiment. Such a thing as religious persecution; such a thing as the punishment of heresy or any character of interference with the freedom of conscience in

the matter of religious belief or opinion so common even within a late period comparatively-is now known and regarded as dark spots upon the pages of ecclesiastical history. That religious bigotry and intolerance are rapidly waning is too evident to require discussion, even though it should be appropriate in this connection. It is quite evident, too, that, while the various denominations of the church are becoming more reconciled to each other, and more nearly agreed upon essentials in religious faith and practice, they are a unit upon the great subject of prohibition, and in their determination to suppress drunkenness and every form of intemperance. They are united in an aggressive warfare against the monster evils of the liquor traffic. In view of this great effort in behalf of religion, morality and humanity, they are laying aside their denominational prejudices, their peculiar notions of baptism, final perseverance and apostasy, and organizing themselves into a solid phalanx to meet the common arch-enemy of the whole catalogue of christian denominations, the fierce destroyer of the very foundations of their religious faith. I am aware that there are a few weak-kneed, "milk-and-cider" members of the church, who align themselves with the devil and the drunkards, and do valiant service in the ranks of the enemy. There are those who go to church on Sundays, officiate in the Sabbath-School, contribute liberally to the preacher, and put themselves up as examples of purity, when occasion seems to justify or demand it, while at other times they may be found lounging about the saloons conspiring with the whisky element to thwart every effort or movement having in view the overthrow of the demon intemperance, and the ultimate suppression of the demoralizing traffic in liquor. There are others who are altogether neutral on the question, as they are upon every other issue which is of sufficient importance to divide public sentiment, and which might in the least affect their personal popularity and standing with the advocates of

both sides of the controversy. In other words, they are at all times ready to compromise with the devil on any and all moral questions, provided they can thereby at the same time retain the respect and good will of both the saints and the sinners. They are strictly neutral in all things, and independent in nothing. But, while there are such people in all churches and in all congregations, the great masses of the active membership are in their capacity as citizens of a great State, without reference to church fellowship, reliable and uncompromising prohibitionists. They see that liquor is the great enemy to their cause, the great impediment in the way of religious and moral progress, and they feel it to be their duty to do what they can to destroy and suppress it in every legitimate way possible. They naturally favor every measure proposed, whether local or general in its extent, which has for its object the suppression or mitigation of the evil. And who will have the hardihood to say that they are not right? They can not do otherwise and be true to their profession, consistent followers of Christ and his teachings.

It may seem harsh to some, but I believe that I will be sustained by all admirers of the plain and untarnished truth, that no man can have the right kind of religion in his heart, and at the same time be a sympathizer with whisky and in league with the beastly advocates of the traffic. A member of the church, be he Methodist, Baptist, Presbyterian, or other, who is so depraved in his ideas of a true christian life as to advocate liquor, or become an impediment in the way of prohibition and temperance, ought to be unceremoniously turned out of the church and forced to take his appropriate place along with the "beggarly elements of the world." Such a man has no business in the church. His example is a standing rebuke to the religion he professes. Some people are disposed to reprove the ministers for using their influence to persuade men to become sober and useful, and to take them es

pecially to task for expressing their opinion in the pulpit and elsewhere in favor of prohibitory legislation.

When the able and eloquent Dr. B. H. Carroll, of Waco, Texas, in the exercise of a right and privilege vouchsafed by the constitution and laws to every American citizen, raised his voice in opposition to the terrible evils of intemperance and in favor of local option in his county, the county of McLennan, the great Senator Coke, styled by some, the oracle of Texas democracy, cried out in his stentorian voice, "Scourge them back into their pulpits." These memorable words of this distinguished man have echoed and re-echoed through all of the saloons and grogshops of Texas until this day, and have become the watchword of all the whisky combinations in the State in their disinterested (?) advocacy of personal liberty and death. That Senator Coke should entertain and express such sentiments is not at all strange and unaccountable when we consider the fact that when he was first elected to the high position he occupies with credit to himself, the whisky element in Texas was far in the ascendency, and had been from the first. His prolonged absence from the State while attending to the duties of his office at the National Capital had prevented him from noting carefully the progress of public sentiment in Texas in the direction of temperance and morality. Had the Senator halfway realized the change which was so fast taking place in public sentiment in Texas, and had he ever dreamed of the possibility of so great a revolution on this question as is now at hand, in all probability he would not have made the mistake. But, while the Senator has gone a little wrong on this question he should not be summarily condemned and retired to obscurity because of a single mistake. An opportunity ought to be given him to repent; the door of the church should not be forever closed against the possibility of the voluntary return of this great and distinguished prodigal. The Senator has done too much for Texas to justify any