INTEMPERANCE IN SCOTLAND.

Evening Star, Issue 3615, 23 September 1874, Page 3

INTEMPERANCE IN SCOTLAND.

Quite a lively discussion has taken place in the General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland on the subject of drunkenness. It seems from a report presented to that body by the Temperance Committee that “ Drink is master of the situation j” that people prefer whisky toddy to tea and coffee, and that there is such an intoxicating quality in the air on Sunday that people experience a much greater difficulty in walking straight upon the first than upon any other day of the week. The Rev, Mr Hall was disposed to lay all blame of the drunkenness which prevails in North Britain, not to the drouthiness of the people, but to the alluring character of the liquor. Dr Begg attributed it to “original sin.” Earl of Kintore declared that abstinence was impossible. He had tried it for a year, and found that it wouldn’t do. Accordingly he takes his " tot” no w f like a church elder, or any

other man. The framer of the report> Mr Kidston of Ferniegair, proposed a simultaneous onslaught upon intemperance by means of sermons to be preached from every pulpit on the same day. If that didn’t bowl it over, nothing would. But the dangers of such a proceeding are admirably pointed out by the ‘ Scotsman,’ which observes :

“ The minds of the clergy themselves would be universally directed to the fatal thought. The collective hearers

would be stimulated by reminiscences of the toddies of the past days, and all the once pleasant but now melancholy memories associated with those toddies would be recalled. One of the deepest chords in the retentive Scottish heart would be struck ; and in the evening, when the blinds are got down and the shutters closed in, we should all, as a rule, be found mixing our tumbler, and discoursing in most edifying mood of the glories of the days that are gone. In fact, Ferniegair’s proposal would demoralise us as effectually as if we had all been electors in a northern constituency. We do not believe, if Ferniegair’s proposal were carried out, that there would be any possible parallel to be found to the Monday clerical prostration that would be certain to ensue.”

Something like this appeal’s to have been the sensible view of the subject taken by the Assembly, which allowed the matter to stand over for future consideration.