OF THE AMERICAN TEMPERANCE SOCIETY, PRESENTED AT THE MEETING IN BOSTON, MAY, 1831. This Report is a periodical, and contains five sheets.-The postage, under 100 miles, is 74 cents; and over 100 miles, 12 cents. BOSTON: PERKINS AND MARVIN, 114 WASHINGTON STREET. Temperance Publications. Resolutions of the Massachusetts Society for Suppression of Intemperance 17 Testimony of Kittredge and Beecher.. Testimony of Medical Societies.. State of Things at the close of 1827 Operations and Success in 1828.. Kittredge's Address at the Anuual Meeting State of Things at the close of 1829 18 21 22 23 24 27 Decrease of Mortality. Increased Success of the Gospel.... Persons prevented from becoming Drunkards Expense of persuading Men to abstain from the Use of Ardent Spirit compared with the Expense of taking Care of those who use it.. The Good which may be effected by $10,000.... Reasons why more Drunkards are not reformed Established Principle of Law. 30 32 32 32 33 33 34 35 36 38 39 39 40 41 42 44 45 45 46 47 Page. Belief of the Churches Success of the Cause Testimony of Merchants... Principle of the Divine Government The great Hinderance to the Temperance Reformation Publications on the Immorality of the Traffic. 47 48 49 50 50 APPENDIX. Nature and Origin of the Use of Ardent Spirits. 63 Lunatics in Dublin and Liverpool.... Statements in "The Well-conducted Farm" Origin of the Massachusetts Society for Suppression of Intemperance. Judge Cranch's Statement .... 74 75 76 Connection between Temperance and Religion. The Iniquities of the Fathers visited upon the Children. Resolutions of Ecclesiastical Bodies London Temperance Society... Virginia Association to abstain from Tea.. Circular of the New York State Committee Constitution of an Auxiliary Temperance Society.. Way to form a Temperance Society. Benefits of Temperance Societies. Benefits of Abstinence from the Use of Intoxicating Liquor CONSTITUTION OF THE SOCIETY. PREAMBLE. Whereas the improper use of intoxicating liquors has been found by experience to be the source of evils of incalculable magnitude, both as to the temporal and eternal interests of individuals, families and communities; and whereas the prevalence of this vice has such a fatal efficacy in hindering the success of all the common means which God has appointed for the moral and religious improvement of men; and whereas the various measures which the friends of Christian morality have adopted, though not altogether unsuccessful, have been found quite insufficient to give any effectual and permanent check to this desolating evil; and whereas some more vigorous means are evidently required, some system of instruction and action, which will make a steady and powerful impression on the present and following generations, and will, in this way, ultimately effect a change of public sentiment and practice in regard to the use of intoxicating liquors, and thus put an end to that wide-spreading intemperance, which has already caused such desolations in every part of our country, and which threatens destruction to the best interests of this growing and mighty Republic;-therefore the friends of domestic and social happiness now present, wishing to do all in their power to promote the welfare of their fellow men, resolve to form a Society, with the following Constitution, namely :: ARTICLE I. The Society shall be called THE AMERICAN TEMPERANCE SOCIETY. ART. II. The Society shall, from time to time, elect additional members, as they shall judge expedient; always keeping in mind that elections are so to be made, as shall best accord with the design of rendering this a national institution, and giving it the most extensive influence possible. ART. III. Any person who pays to the Treasurer of the Society five dollars annually, or who has paid or shall pay thirty dollars, at one time, shall be a member of the Society; provided the donor shall also subscribe to the following:-"I pledge myself to an entire abstinence from the use of ardent spirits, except when prescribed by a temperate physician, in case of sickness." ART. IV. Any person who has paid, or who shall pay, not less than thirty dollars to the funds of the Society, shall become an honorary member thereof; and every person who has paid, or shall hereafter pay, not less than two hundred and fifty dollars, shall be an honorary Vice President of the Society. ART. V. The Society shall meet annually, at such time and place as they shall appoint, and shall choose by ballot a President, Vice President, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, an Executive Committee of five members, and such other officers as shall in their opinion be necessary. |