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Letter to Editor
October 2, 1841
The Congregational Observer
Hartford, New Haven, Hartford County, New Haven County, Connecticut
What is this article about?
The publication shares an extract from a letter about a temperance meeting at Princeton College where professors Henry, James Alexander, and M'Lean signed a total abstinence pledge, countering criticisms and encouraging others, including clergymen, to join the cause.
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TOTAL ABSTINENCE PRINCIPLES.
In giving place to the following extract of a letter from Princeton, N. J., we do not desire to obtrude the names of the gentlemen upon the public without reason and without their knowledge. But it has been common in certain quarters to denounce some men because they would not sign a total abstinence pledge, and in other quarters to quote these very men as authorities against the propriety of signing such a pledge. It is therefore important to be known that the Faculty of Princeton College have adopted the total abstinence pledge; and in the explanations they have given, while taking this ground, they have only expressed sentiments which are entertained by multitudes who are willing to lend the weight of their names and example to the cause of temperance.
"Our temperance meeting on Tuesday evening was the commencement, I hope, of good in Princeton. Prof. Henry opened with an address on the force of habit, and concluded by saying, that " as far as his example went, total abstinence should have it;" and he stepped forward and signed the pledge. Prof. James Alexander after stating his protest against three things, viz.: 1. That it should be thought that the friends of temperance considered it a sin to drink. 2. That the society should at all interfere with the communion. 3. That any one should be constrained to say, that Scripture wines were not intoxicating; said. "he had come to do what he had never done before, to sign a total abstinence pledge;" and he accordingly signed it. Prof. M'Lean said he "had been wrongly considered an enemy of the total abstinence Society—he was an enemy of ultra measures, and had never signed a total abstinence pledge, but would do it ;" and he did it. Many of the students also signed. Prof. M'Lean then stated, that "the President and Prof. Dod were prevented by sickness from attending and signing."
In publishing the above, we cannot refrain from expressing the hope that many excellent clergymen and others, who still from prudential considerations hold back while their hearts are in the work, may be induced to follow this worthy example. The blessings of many ready to perish will come upon them.-N. Y. Obs.
In giving place to the following extract of a letter from Princeton, N. J., we do not desire to obtrude the names of the gentlemen upon the public without reason and without their knowledge. But it has been common in certain quarters to denounce some men because they would not sign a total abstinence pledge, and in other quarters to quote these very men as authorities against the propriety of signing such a pledge. It is therefore important to be known that the Faculty of Princeton College have adopted the total abstinence pledge; and in the explanations they have given, while taking this ground, they have only expressed sentiments which are entertained by multitudes who are willing to lend the weight of their names and example to the cause of temperance.
"Our temperance meeting on Tuesday evening was the commencement, I hope, of good in Princeton. Prof. Henry opened with an address on the force of habit, and concluded by saying, that " as far as his example went, total abstinence should have it;" and he stepped forward and signed the pledge. Prof. James Alexander after stating his protest against three things, viz.: 1. That it should be thought that the friends of temperance considered it a sin to drink. 2. That the society should at all interfere with the communion. 3. That any one should be constrained to say, that Scripture wines were not intoxicating; said. "he had come to do what he had never done before, to sign a total abstinence pledge;" and he accordingly signed it. Prof. M'Lean said he "had been wrongly considered an enemy of the total abstinence Society—he was an enemy of ultra measures, and had never signed a total abstinence pledge, but would do it ;" and he did it. Many of the students also signed. Prof. M'Lean then stated, that "the President and Prof. Dod were prevented by sickness from attending and signing."
In publishing the above, we cannot refrain from expressing the hope that many excellent clergymen and others, who still from prudential considerations hold back while their hearts are in the work, may be induced to follow this worthy example. The blessings of many ready to perish will come upon them.-N. Y. Obs.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
Persuasive
Religious
What themes does it cover?
Temperance
Morality
Religion
What keywords are associated?
Total Abstinence Pledge
Princeton College
Temperance Meeting
Faculty Signing
Clergymen Encouragement
What entities or persons were involved?
The Public
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
The Public
Main Argument
the faculty of princeton college has adopted the total abstinence pledge, countering denunciations and quotes against it, and this example should encourage other clergymen and supporters to join the temperance cause despite prudential hesitations.
Notable Details
Prof. Henry Signed Emphasizing His Example
Prof. James Alexander Protested Against Misconceptions Before Signing
Prof. M'lean Clarified He Opposed Ultra Measures But Signed
President And Prof. Dod Absent Due To Sickness
Many Students Signed