Trail of History
Trail of History for Week of March 11, 2010
Mar 12, 2010 - 11:39:30 AM

    This article was first published in the Telegraph, Feb. 21, 1913.
    
    An announcement last week, a Union Temperance Anti—License Rally was held in the Reformed Church of this place on last Sunday afternoon, commencing at 2:30 o’clock. Rev. K.O. Spessard, the pastor of the church, announced the object of the meeting and read appropriate selections of Scripture. Prayer followed by Rev. S. Fox pastor of the M.E. Church.
    David L. Glover, Esq. was then chosen chairman of the meeting by acclamation. He accepted the position in the right spirit, voicing his sympathy and interest in the meeting in no uncertain manner. He then, in a pleasing and happy way, introduced Hon. F.L. Dershem, our congressman elect, as the first speaker.
    Mr. Dershem then made a fine address in behalf of the noble cause of Temperance, in which he clearly established the truth, that it was our christian duty to be “our brother’s keeper,” in saving him from the drunk that ruins and destroys. He gave illustrations of the curse of rum, thereby hoping to incite in the mind and heart of the moderate drinker the great need of shunning the cup that weakens both brain and body.
    If we would follow Christ, we must line up for Temperance and sobriety in strictest sense, winning converts for the cause and thereby better conditions for all the people. Temperance means happy homes, purer lives and multiplied blessings.
    In closing he feelingly expressed the “hope that God will grant the accomplishment of your efforts.” Had the meeting been held elsewhere than in a church, he certainly would have been liberally applauded.
    On motion of Dr. Spessard, a committee on committees was appointed by the chairman, namely: Messrs. E.J. Gutelius, Jas. B. Chambers and Guy F. Roush. This committee subsequently named as a financial committee Messrs. William C. Saxon, L.E. Walter, and William Spigelmyer. Committees were also appointed to circulate petitions of remonstrances, to act in conjunction with the W.C.T.U. committees.
    Rev. W.M. Rearick, pastor of the Lutheran Church then made a stirring, practical and forcible address, in which he proved beyond dispute or civil betterment of conditions in Mifflinburg since we have had no licensed hotels. This he did by comparisons, showing considerable less of booze drinking, increased deposits in our banks, reduced shipments of beer, and, to this place, increased sales at the stores, and prompter payment for the goods— in every way a great change for the better.
    He also paid a fine tribute to the men and women who had subscribed a fund of $12,000  for the purchase and improvement of the Commercial Hotel property, to be conducted hereafter as a strictly temperance house. He took great pride in their patriotism for better things, and thereby prove a blessing to business men and women, and the town generally.
    Thereupon he read the list of the forty contributors to this good project, who represent 75 per cent of the capital of the town employing laborers. Rev. S. Fox, pastor of the M.E. Church was the next speaker and in no uncertain tone he voiced his antipathy to the rum traffic. He was vitriolic in his denunciation of the whole rum business and all its adherents and defenders. He was dead set in opposition to crime committed in the name of business which assuredly met with a responsive amen on the part of the audience.
    On motion of Emanuel Hoffman, Esq., a vote was taken on “for and against license,” which was practically unanimous AGAINST the CURSE. A collection was then taken for the cause. After which the doxology was rendered and benediction pronounced by Rev. W.M. Rearick. The attendance was very large and had great interest.

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