p. 15 | The Temperance Conflict in Maine by George B. Starr

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Sep 14, 1911

The Temperance Conflict in Maine

By George B. Starr

If the readers of the REVIEW could step over into the old pine-tree State just now, and attend a few of the great temperance rallies being held everywhere and at all times of the day,—morning, noon, afternoon, and at night, from automobiles, from church steps, and from the city hall steps, in halls and churches,—they would realize that a great conflict was being waged between the forces of good and evil, between temperance and intemperance. Intensity and strain are seen and felt on all sides. Maine, the long-time honored world leader in temperance, is now the storm-center, and the point of attack from rum and its advocates. The forces of temperance, rank and file, are everywhere rallying to her support. Men and money are being sent in from churches and from temperance and other organizations, and we are glad to be able to report that Seventh-day Adventists are also contributing toward the issue.

Over fifty thousand copies of the Temperance number of the Youth's Instructor are being placed in the homes of the people. The temperance workers appreciate this contribution. The people are pleased with the paper, and are assisting in its circulation. The study of a Congregational minister last Sunday was the scene of a lively workshop. Young men, members of the minister's congregation, were stamping the words, “Vote No,” on the first page of all the papers, while others assisted us in getting them into the homes of the employees of the two great cotton mills, while they were at home and could read. Seven thousand of these people are being influenced by habit and wrong education to vote against prohibition. We hope these papers may turn some votes.

Ministers, physicians, editors, and postmasters are assisting us. The postmaster at Sanford turned his private office over to us for an afternoon, for the four young women to unwrap, stamp, and rewrap papers that were to be used in adjoining towns.

Two respected citizens of Saco offered to take five hundred copies of the Instructor, and with horse and buggy drive through a fine district that we could not reach, faithfully placing the papers

in the homes of the people. At some places we are entertained free, and everywhere we are forming most pleasant acquaintances among the best people.

For a distance of about thirty miles we threw the papers, which were being rolled and tied by Mrs. Starr and Nurse Dunkle, onto the verandas and lawns of fine residences as we dashed by on the fast-traveling electric trolley.

The people of Maine appreciate the gift of two thousand dollars' worth of papers, and the time of workers to carry them to the homes of its citizens.

Just before we left Melrose, the sanitarium family raised over sixty dollars toward this two thousand dollars. Have you had a part in this work? The Review and Herald has taken our people as security for all the papers that Elder and Mrs. Haskell saw were needed for the campaign, and the Atlantic Union Conference is helping in furnishing workers and in meeting traveling expenses. Now is the time to work.

Should we hold our peace at such a time, and prohibition fail to carry by only a few hundred or a few thousand votes, which we by earnest effort could have influenced for the right, then we would be responsible for the failure and for all the sorrow and evil resulting.

G. B. STARR.