The Rhode Islander

Important Letter from the Apostle of Temperance.

The following letter from Father Mathew, explaining the statement recently made in the British Parliament, by Sir Robert Peel, relative to the Temperance cause in Ireland, will be read with interest and satisfaction.

"Cork, April 7th, 1842.

"My Dear Friend-Long absence from Cork, and almost incessant administration of the total abstinence pledge since my return, prevented me from reading your esteemed letter until this morning. I thank you for the information you have given respecting the sensation excited amongst our friends in England by Sir Robert Peel's statement. The premier only intended to convey that the revenue from whiskey was larger last year than in the years '39 and '40. This fact should not cast a gloom over our prospects, for teetotalism is pursuing its onward course, and will, with the Divine assistance, finally triumph. Sir R. Peel is a friend to morality, and consequently temperance; and when he added, 'or from other causes,' he spoke from the impulse of his Christian feelings, and not as a great political leader. The almost total abandonment of malt liquor has increased the consumption of whiskey amongst certain classes. The great exportation to England for the rectifiers, and the vast quantity manufactured into what are falsely named temperance cordials, have contributed to swell the amount of the whiskey revenue. During the years '39 and '40, there was an universal panic amongst the spirit dealers, who were consequently anxious to exhaust their stock; but during the last year, finding a steady though slow demand, they have taken in a fresh and large supply. Distillers, also, of small capital, are forcing sales on any terms, to keep their establishments at work. Besides, teetotalism is ascending very slowly into the higher classes, and many of them drink more than ever to antagonise our principles. There are other powerfully influential causes, to which I dare not more than allude; but which, blessed be the mercy of God, have latterly almost ceased to exist. Be not alarmed, my dear Mr. Allen, temperance is not retrograding. At this moment I am honored by more than seventy pressing invitations from the Roman Catholic prelates and clergy, to administer the total abstinence pledge in different parts of Ireland.-- Give me but time, and with the aid of the Great Jehovah, we will wave our pure and spotless banner over the length and breadth of the land. There are difficulties which cause more pain than the assertion of Sir Robert Peel-the insidious efforts to give to our society a political coloring, and to evoke a gloomy fanatic cry against us. The great body of teetotalers, it is true, is composed of Roman Catholics; but that is from the great bulk of the people being Roman Catholic, and not from anything exclusive in our society. A hostile disposition has been excited on this account in certain localities; and I must also complain, with the deepest sorrow, that many who, from rank and station possess great influence, have not, to use the mildest term, exercised it in favor of our society. I utterly disclaim any political object; my ardent desire is to promote the glory of God, by drying up the fruitful source of crime, and the happiness of His creatures, by persuading them to the observance of temperance.- Our musical bands, too, and our processions, are rocks of offence to many. If it was allowed to any to object to them, surely it should to the members of your society, who reject music and parade in every case, yet you have all magnanimously co-operated with me, despising this paltry pretext. I respect the religious feelings which disapprove of music and processions on the Lord's Day-I would not on any account offer violence to tender consciences; but we, Roman Catholics, after in general devoting the afternoon of Saturday, and the forenoon of Sunday, to religious observances, do not deem it a desecration of the Sabbath for such as have been earning their bread by the sweat of their brows during the week, to recreate themselves innocently during the remainder of the day. We should be allowed to enjoy our Gospel liberty--we regulate our conduct by what we interpret to be the spirit of the Gospel, and not by the letter of the Levitical law. O! that the sweet and beneficent spirit of the Gospel, that thinketh no evil, was diffused from pole to pole, uniting all mankind as one family, and making a world happy. The earth would then, indeed, a delightful habitation, in which each man could enjoy, in charity, the blessings of this life, especially through the Lord Jesus Christ, the blessed hope and glory of the great God. Lovers of God, and of His everlasting ordinances, should be to our failings a little kind. Let them contrast the shocking spectacles which presented themselves heretofore on the Lord's day, with the calm decorum that at present universally reigns. The bacchanalian yell, that made hideous the Sabbath's early morn, is heard no more-the temples of the living God crowded with sincere worshippers-the taverns, bridewells, and brothels empty-the awful blasphemy, the false oath, and dire imprecation, no longer insult the attested majesty of the Deity. It is my religious conviction that one sin of drunkenness, or one of the black deeds to which men are prompted when inflamed with intoxicating drink, outrage more the sanctity of a jealous God than all the music of the three hundred temperance bands on the Sabbath day. It would not be difficult to ascertain what portion of the whiskey revenue has been collected from retailers, and what from the custom-houses, but it is unnecessary. Our teetotallers are faithful to their pledge--they are proud of their sobriety--are inspired with a spirit of self-respect--they are rational beings, and Christians, and will never again, Esau-like, sell their glorious birthright, to purchase which the precious blood of Jesus flowed.-- Thanking you, in the name of humanity and religion, for all you have labored in the cause of your fellow creatures, I am, my dear friend, yours devotedly.

"THEOBALD MATHEW.

"Richard Allen."