The National temperance offering : and sons and daughters of temperance gift

Front matter

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Hill II

8 1 m mm I BP

Introduction

Inspired wisdom centuries ago declared " of making many books there is no end." Had Solomon spoken this in reference to our own age it would have been pre-eminently true, and if the present generation is not growing in wisdom it cannot be for the want of mental aliment. It is to be feared that the mind is dissipated, and the heart depraved, by being required to feed upon the worthless trash furnished by a prolific press. Even in this bookmaking age, a good book is a jewel. A great responsibility rests upon those who offer food to the immortal nature, for the mind once taken captive, like the appetite of the drunkard, demands more similar poison to appease depraved desire. Our design in getting up this volume, is to add to the stock of pure temperance literature, to elevate in the public mind, that reform so full of promised blessings to the present and coming generations.

Believing as we do, that he Temperance Reform is one of the mighty agencies to be employed for the elevation of man, the improvement of society, the stability of free popular

VI INTRODUCTION.

institutions, and the moral and religious renovation of a wicked world, we avail ourselves of the press — the principal medium of reaching the public mind — to promote the precious interests, and advance the standard of this god-like enterprize.

As incident to our general design, and to render the work more attractive and interesting, we have introduced faithful portraits and brief biographical sketches of a few of the most distinguished champions of our holy cause. There are many others perhaps equally deserving a place in our portrait gallery ; indeed all who have labored devotedly, zealously, honestly and perseveringly in this department of moral reform, should be enrolled among the benefactors of their race — but the extent of this work prescribes a limit to our selection.

The elevated character, and exalted reputation of the contributors to this volume, will be sufficient to commend it to the attention of the reading public. Finally, whether our effort to contribute a mite to the pure literature of the country, promote the well being of society and the glory of God shall be successful, remains to be seen ; whatever may be the result, we commit it to the hands of our countrymen, with the happy consciousness of being actuated by a sincere desire to do good.

S. F. CARY.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

ENGRAVED ON STEEL,

J. SARTAIN, H. S. SADD, & T. DONEY*

THE REST Matteson.. Vignette Title.

THE STORY OF THE BOTTLE Matteson 22

THE DRUNKARD'S HOME Matteson 103

THE TEMPERANCE HOME Matteson 129

F. A. FICKARDT, M. W. S Root 165

LYMAN BEECHER, D. D Cox 204

REV. T. P. HUNT Root 225

THE WIDOW AND HER SON Matteson 241

FATHER MATTHEW Root 271

HON. HORACE GREELY Brady 310

TO

THIS VOLUME

IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED,

BY THE