Basic HTML Version
202
Temperance
of a temperance association. There was a fair representation of
our people present. Elder Butler spoke, and confessed that he had
not been as forward in the temperance reform as he should have
been. He stated that he had always been a strictly temperance man,
discarding the use of liquor, tea, and coffee, but he had not signed
the pledge being circulated among our people. But he was now
convinced that in not doing so he was hindering others who ought
to sign it. He then placed his name under Colonel Hunter’s; my
husband placed his name beneath Brother Butler’s, I wrote mine
next, and Brother Farnsworth’s followed. Thus the work was well
started.
[203]
My husband continued to talk while the pledge was circulating.
Some hesitated, thinking that the platform was too broad in includ-
ing tea and coffee; but finally their names were given, pledging
themselves to total abstinence.
Brother Hunter, who was then called upon to speak, responded
by giving a very impressive testimony as to how the truth found
him, and what it had done for him. He stated that he had drunk
liquor enough to float a ship, and that now he wanted to accept the
whole truth, reform and all. He had given up liquor and tobacco,
and this morning he had drunk his last cup of coffee. He believed
the testimonies were of God, and he wished to be led by the will of
God expressed in them.
As the result of the meeting, one hundred and thirty-two names
were signed to the teetotal pledge, and a decided victory was gained
in behalf of temperance.—
Manuscript 79, 1907
.
Work Everywhere
—Give prominence to the temperance re-
form, and call for signers to the temperance pledge. Everywhere call
attention to this work, and make it a living issue.—
Manuscript 52,
1900
.