The Story of our Health Message

CHAPTER 19 UNITING WITH THE TEMPERANCE FORCES

THE YEARS of the Civil War in the United States and the subsequent period of reconstruction witnessed a serious setback to the cause of temperance reform, which had flourished in the earlier part of the century. During the seventies, however, there appeared various movements which brought the temperance cause again to the front. SHM 223.1

One such movement had its inception in 1871, at Gardiner, Maine. Mr. I. K. Osgood, once a successful merchant, who had been brought to poverty through drink, was returning to his home late one night, when he saw his loyal wife sitting by the window in their wretched home, waiting for him. His heart stirred by pity and remorse, he firmly resolved that, with God’s help, he would never again drink intoxicating liquor. This resolution he kept, and after a time induced another one of his friends to sign the pledge of total abstinence. On January 19, 1872, these two gentlemen appointed a meeting, inviting the public to come and hear them tell what rum had done to them and the benefits they had received since becoming abstainers. At the close of their recital eight of their drinking companions signed the pledge. Thus was launched the first “Reform Club.” SHM 223.2