The bases of the temperance reform: an exposition and appeal./ With replies to numerous objections. By Rev. Dawson Burns.

Thze Lanc of Gencra-il Bcnzczolclce.
foreseeing, should have averted them. The foregoing
considerations may be briefly recombined, so as to form
an argument for the suppression of the liquor traffic,
on the grounds of General Benevolence, Social Selfinterest, Enlightened Patriotism, and Christian Civilization.
GENERAL BENEVOLENCE demands that those who are
tempted and ruined should, if possible, be rescued, and
that others who will be tempted and ruined, if the drinlking-shop remains, should be saved by its removal. To
say that such can save themselves if they will is nothing
to the point, if true, for humanity impels us to try and
save many who might have escaped the danger they have
incurred, whether the danger be physical or moral; but
the plea can hardly be considered pertinent to the two
great classes who are the victims of the liquor trafficfirst, because the class that has become so drink-smitten
as to have lost by a diseased system the conditions of
moral freedom; and, secondly, the other class of the inexperienced, who, acting on the presumption (sanctioned
by law) that the drinking-shop is a safe place of resort,
or it would not be licensed, commence their acquaintance
with it in ignorance of the peril they encounter. No language is too strong in denunciation of the inequity which
would throw upon these classes the whole of the responsibility of their own misery and degradation, and which
would leave them to sink beyond redemption, heedless of
their cry for a shielding and uplifting arm. But were it
even conceded-though human nature and Christian
charity repel the concession with horror-that these
should be left to the darkest fate which can overtake
mortal man, General Benevolence may be invoked on
behalf of all who are compelled to suffer privation,
hunger, cold, cruelty, and the most demoralizing associations, or who are given over to death through the intemperance of those nearly related to them. These,
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