Island) that I struck out a considerable skeleton. They were laid by, to be finished when I could get time. I knew where they were; I had laid them up; so I began the next Sabbath, and continued as fast as I could A painful case of intemperance occurred in his parish: I thought to myself as I rode home, It is now or never. I must go about it immediately, or there is no chance of their salvation. These sermons I had projected early. I think it was at East Hampton (Long write them-one every Sabbath, I think. I wrote under such a power of feeling as never before nor since. Never could have written so under other circumstances. They took hold of the whole congregation. Sabbath after Sabbath the interest grew, and became the most absorbing thing ever heard of before. A wonder of weekly conversation and interest, and, when I got through, of eulogy. All the old farmers that brought in wood to sell, and used to set up their cart-whips at the groggery, talked about it, and said, many of them, they would never drink again. In these discourses Dr. Beecher called for "the banishment of ardent spirits from the list of lawful articles of commerce, by a correct and efficient public sentiment. Could all the forms of evil produced in the land by intemperance come upon us in one horrid array, it would appall the nation, and put an end to the traffic in ardent spirits." Again he says: O! were the sky over our heads one great whispering gallery, bringing down upon us all the lamentation and woe which intemperance creates, and the firm earth one sonorous medium of sound, bringing up around us the wailings of the damned, whom the commerce in ardent spirits had sent thither these tremendous realities, assailing our senses, would invigorate our conscience, and give decision to the purpose of reformation. These sermons were first printed in 1827, and were translated into German, French, Swedish, Danish, Hottentot, and other languages. In the year 1825, Tract No. 176 of the American Tract Society, entitled "The Well-conducted Farm," written by Rev. Justin Edwards, was published, setting forth the advantages of abstinence among farm laborers. It rendered great service to the cause. In the same year Mr. John Ware, M.D., delivered, before the Massachusetts Society, an address of great ability, which was published and widely disseminated. It took ground against the moderate use of ardent spirits, demonstrating from the testimony of experience that spirituous liquors do not promote bodily strength, nor support the body in labor or fatigue. These views were in advance of the current opinions. Wise men were gradually out-growing the old-time theories and customs. The address of Gamaliel Bradford, M.D., the following year, advanced the same views, declaring with emphasis that there could be no middle ground, but the use of ardent spirits must be wholly abandoned. There were many who regarded these views as fanciful and impracticable. They believed it both impolitic and impossible to proscribe the use of ardent spirits in society. The friends of the reform acknowledged the difficulty and feared its impracticability; but, being fully convinced that the moderate use was attended with pernicious effects, and that the condition of all classes of people would be improved without them, they felt under obligation to attempt the more radical measure. Thus was the way prepared for the new and wider movement inaugurated in 1826. All the steps of progress thus far can be traced back distinctly to Dr. Benjamin Rush; and the later movements will legitimately follow. The presidents of the old Massachusetts Society were The annual addresses were delivered by 1814, Rev. J. T. Kirkland, D.D. 1815,* Rev. Abiel Abbott, D.D. 1816,* Rev. Jesse Appleton, D.D. 1817,* Rev. Samuel Worcester, D.D. 1818, Rev. Wm. E. Channing, D.D. 1819, Hon. Samuel Haven. 1820, Rev. Eliphalet Porter, D.D. 1821,* Rev. Wm. Jenks, D.D. * 1825, John Ware, M.D. 1826,* Gamaliel Bradford, M.D. Under such eminent leadership, the movement, inaugurated in 1811-13, did not lack social prestige. It had the benefit of the personal attention and counsel of the most prominent divines and statesmen; and the churches of the largest influence were fully committed to it. The best physicians also lent their aid, and money was not wanting. *These addresses were published. |