| The
Parish Church of St James St. James's Road, Hampton Hill, TW12 1DQ (Parish Office 020 8941 6003) |
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| THE
HISTORY OF ST. JAMES'S CHURCH |
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1884-1889: Total Abstinence Society - 1885 October
No right-minded person would question the importance of the subject of Temperance. All are agreed that we all ought to be temperate, and that as much as possible, should be done to reduce the amount of drunkenness which unhappily prevails amongst us. It is as to the manner in which we should proceed and means we should use, that there is more diversity of opinion. Some object to any measures which may seem to interfere with the liberty of the individual, and contend that each one ought to put a restraint on his own appetite and inclination. Some object to legislative measures and contend that the nation cannot be made a sober one by Act of Parliament. Some are sadly too apathetic about it, and it does not seem to trouble them that thousands of their fellow creatures are perishing hourly, soul as well as body, from this terrible love of drink. Some, alas, are selfish and will not make a move for fear it should curtail their own enjoyment. Total abstainers do not say they are better than other people. They do not make a religion of Total Abstinence, or insist that all should be abstainers. What they do say is this, “Here is a terrible evil in our midst. Let us do what we can to remedy it. We must try to stop these poor creatures killing themselves by drink. We will be abstainers ourselves and shew them that people can be as well without it as with it. We will ask them, as they cannot use it in moderation, to give up alcoholic drink altogether; and lest they should meet us with the answer ‘Why do you want us to give up that which you enjoy yourselves,’ we will abstain ourselves.” And most abstainers, after experience, can say more; they can say, “We feel better and happier, and more contented than we did before we were abstainers.” What we ask for is the help, sympathy and support of all. Some, we hope, may be induced to join us and become active workers in the cause—all may help by their sympathy and support. Source: The Hampton Hill Parish Magazine - 1885 October |
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