reason for passing him by on the other side. He was left on the rough highways and byways of the world, bruised and bleeding, -the scoff of the wicked, the jeer of the thoughtless, the neglected of nearly all. The language even of the temperance man was, "Ephraim is joined to his idols; let him alone." And so the poor inebriate was left "alone," festering in iniquity, shut out from all pure influences, a neglected leper by the road-side, with the words "unclean, unclean," written all over him, that none might approach him, or give heed to his cries.

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His case, in other words, was considered as past cure. tering on the slippery verge of the grave, the feeling of the world was, let him fall into its devouring jaws, that he may be swallowed up forever.

Now before the Washingtonian faith all such ideas flee like the small dust before the whirlwind. That faith embraces all. It is a panacea which never fails. It dreads contact with no leprosy of soul or body. When both soul and body are reduced to the lowest state of degradation, and man is trembling on that line which separates him from the beast; the Washingtonian, full of that faith which, in such an extremity, is indeed "the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things unseen," believes that beneath the decaying embers of the mind, glimmering beneath the "repentant ashes," the vital spark still lives, and that the breath of human affection may fan it into a warm and purifying flame.

With such a faith, he laughs at all obstacles, and spurns all opposition. Clad in the panoply of love, he visits the darkest haunts of human wretchedness, and the star of hope sheds its cheering light upon his path, and guides him to success.

Besides the immense power which this faith has upon the inebriate, the Washingtonian who applies it with unwavering fidelity, finds that it reacts with two-fold power upon himself. In laboring to impart its noble virtues to his unfortunate neighbor, he feels that "It is twice blessed, It blesses him that gives and him that takes."

In fact, one of the greatest inducements which we can offer to the public to "come over to Macedonia and help us," is, that by embracing our noble faith, and incorporating it into the life, a man receives into his heart a principle, which, if faithfully adopted, carries with it some of the loftiest thoughts and purest emotions of which the human mind is susceptible. He finds himself the possessor of some of the noblest truths which have dawned on the world—"truths which wake to perish never "-truths which, in the hurlyburly of the world, have been almost forgotten, although essential elements in the Christian religion. This Washingtonian principle is as old as truth itself, and has always existed, in greater or less distinctness and power, in every human breast. In most, however, it has been obscured by the mists of sensuality and sin, or buried up beneath a mountain load of cark and care. But when, these mists scattered, and this load removed from the mind, this primal principle of the soul comes to light with something of its pristine beauty and power, we learn with deep surprise that we have been "entertaining an angel unawares;" in other words, that away out in the background of the soul, in its "holy of holies," there has always been a spiritual presence struggling to make itself known, and which, now that it has revealed itself, encircles us, as it were, with a new atmosphere, and imparts to us an elasticity and energy of mind of which before we had no conception.

2. The next element in the Washingtonian Idea, is its FAITH IN THE TRUTH. It believes that the truth is mighty and must prevail. It has no fears concerning its final success. Its language is, as sure as there is a God in Heaven, the truth must conquer. "The lip of truth shall be established forever."Though the minds of the people may be darkened by passion, or beclouded by self-interest, it has faith that though slowly, yet surely, the truth must work its way into the convictions of the community. For this, the Washingtonian is willing to work and to wait. He does not expect to gather in the harvest the moment the seed is cast upon the ground; but he has never a doubt that,

in due time, God smiling on his efforts, the harvest will come, bearing fruit, some ten, some twenty, and some an hundred fold.

3. Again, FAITH IN LOVE is an important element in the Washingtonian idea. We have already touched upon this point; but it cannot be touched upon too often. The power of love, that perfect love which casteth out fear, is the great instrumentality of the Washingtonian. He believes that the winds of persecution only compel the sinner to wrap the garments of iniquity closer about him, while the warm sun of affection causes them to drop instinctively from his limbs. It is hard to drive a man. The slave, whose constitution has become inured to tyranny, may be driven but the man, the free man, will submit to no such treatment. He does not recognize the right of his fellow sinner to compel him to any thing. He is easily persuaded, but hardly ever forced. The most attenuated cord of affection may draw him into the right path; but once arouse his passions by threats and abuse, and he will break away from the stoutest cable, as it were gossamer. Such at all events, is the experience of the Washingtonian; and it is a rich experience, shedding light upon every path of duty. He has reached thousands, and drawn them into the fold of temperance, whom the world had been for years endeavoring to reform by neglect and persecution.

In this connection, it is proper to observe, that, as the affections have had so prominent a part in our reform, we have had, to an unexampled extent, the influence of woman. She knows, better than man, the avenues to the human heart: and this knowledge has been of incalculable value to our cause. She embraced the Washingtonian faith as soon as it was presented to her. She had an intuitive assurance that it was the truth. It answered to all her noblest aspirations. It harmonized with all her conceptions of moral beauty. It was an instrument fitted to her heart and to her hand; and that she embraced it warmly with both, her successful labors will bear witness. Hand in hand with her brother laborers, she has entered into the work, and reached many hearts which else had remained in darkness. She

touched the tender springs of the soul which evaded the hand of her less delicate brother. That quickness of perception and delicacy of execution which belong to her sex, have done more than most any other agency in carrying on the great work. Her influence, though silent, has been constant and efficient. She has come "without observation ;" and with a Christian's faith and a Christian's patience has labored, not unsuccessfully, to crown our efforts with the garlands of her affection.

4. And, finally, the Washingtonian Idea includes FAITH IN GOD. The Washingtonian feels this to be an important article in his creed. "Paul may plant, and Apollos may water; but God must give the increase." Unaided by the "breath of Heaven," our cause will be carried back on the strong tide of popular sin, and swallowed up in the great maelstroom of intemper

ance.

We build upon the Christian platform. Every other is unstable as water. In humble imitation of Jesus Christ, the Washingtonian would go about doing good. Like him, he professes of himself to be able to do nothing; but relies, at all times, for succor and success, on "his Father and our Father, his God and our God."

We have thus endeavored to present to your consideration some idea, however inadequate, of the "WASHINGTONIAN FAITH." We now appeal to you, whether it is not entitled to your support. This is evident. Talk as we may, in our zeal, of the popularity of our cause,—it has, as yet, but a slight hold on the public regard. The proof of this may be found in the large number of rum-shops and rum-hotels, in the small number of temperance-shops and temperance-hotels, and the fact that these are not countenanced to any extent even by temperance men; in the fact that, in many instances, we have not the influence of the professedly Christian Church: in the fact that it is very difficult to raise funds to carry on the cause; in the fact that, in many parts of the State, it is still fashionable to offer intoxicating liquors as a refreshment; in the fact that merchants of otherwise

reputable character, are engaged in importing such liquors; in the fact that influential men let their buildings for rum-selling taverns and shops; and, finally, in the fact that, notwithstanding the beneficent influences which have proceeded from our labors, they are looked upon by many of the leading men and women of society as hardly worthy to engage the attention of intelligent, religious, or influential persons.

At first view, this seems like a strange state of public sentiment. It hardly seems credible that an institution which labors so successfully for the removal of one of the greatest evils which ever afflicted society, should have to labor against such adverse influences. It would seem that the conscience of the community had become petrified. But when we consider for how long a period the atmosphere has been poisoned by the breath of the distillery, how accustomed we have been to witnessing the frightful effects of that dreadful miasma,—and then remember how true it is that habit becomes second nature: it is not, perhaps, to be wondered at that it is so hard to lift the leaden eyelids of the people. We will not—at least we will not yet-believe that the heart of the community is a heart of stone. It cannot be. This is evident from the fact that when any unusual calamity visits the land, approaching in its terrible consequences the evil of intemperance, every heart is touched, and almost every person in the community is ready to contribute his mite towards its removal. Let a man meet with some unforeseen accident depriving him of the use of his limbs, and incapacitating him from earning his livelihood,and there is no difficulty in exciting sympathy and procuring pecuniary relief in his behalf.

Take a case of late occurrence. There was recently a great fire in Fall River. That beautiful town was nearly consumed to ashes. The rich were reduced to poverty, the poor to beggary. The news of the disaster went abroad upon the four winds, and reached every section of the country. The destructive flames themselves, as they leaped from house to house and from street to street, did not spread more rapidly. The public sympathy was