TEMPERANCE IN TEXAS.

BY PRES. WM. E. BROOKS, TILLOTSON INSTITUTE.

It may be said with truth, I think, that the strongest temperance element in the State of Texas to-day is among the colored people. I am informed that where they are in the majority, and they have an opportunity to express themselves, they vote for prohibition. There are exceptions. They are very apt to be North or South. If we can believe Milton, there was one in heaven once. The excepting member, however, found it to his advantage to leave, if I remember correctly. They say he came to earth. We must not wonder, therefore, if he has some slight following among the colored people on the whiskey question ; but if they had the say, they would largely be for prohibition.

Take it here at Tillotson, we have a large and flourishing society, the members of which are pledged to total abstinence from the use of intoxicating drinks, and of tobacco. This pledge was adopted more than a year ago, after a prolonged discussion, but nearly all the students are now enthusiastic members of the society. The meetings are held on the third Sabbath evening of each month. They are full of interest and well attended. But this, like all good things, is the result of effort. A committee, appointed for this purpose, has at each meeting a well-filled programme. The more advanced students have essays upon some phase of the temperance work ; others read articles bearing on the special subject before the meeting. Thus, at one time, the object is to make manifest the ill effect of rum and tobacco upon the human system ; at another the cost ; the whole interspersed with appropriate music, reading the Scripture and prayer. In this way there is variety, increase of light, and the building up of a strong, because intelligent, opposition to intemperance. And all this is under the direction of the students. Of course the faculty is present, to do or say any thing that may be helpful, but the real work is done by the students, and these meetings are not only full of interest but reflect great credit on those that have them in charge.

We are thus training up a noble band of young men and women, whose influence is sure to be felt far and wide, and to become a great and, I trust, controlling power in Texas, especially among the colored people. This is our aim, and that our hope shall be realized, we are confident, since Ood is in the work.

Thus it can be seen that the great rising tide of temperance, which is sweeping over the North and Northwest, is making itself felt here. Not strongly yet, but there is an underswell, a movement among the more thoughtful, a shrinking back from the wasting, impoverishing curse of strong drink, and from the filth and fume of tobacco, which indicates, more clearly than words can, that the day is close at hand, when the question of temperance, even of prohibition, will become a living, and (may we not hope f) a life-saving and a life-imparting issue here in this great, grand, empire State.

The demand for a new building at the Tillotson Institute, Austin, Texas, of which mention was made in our December Missionary, is very urgent. Last year the number of students turned away for lack of room was greater than the number admitted. Twenty thousand dollars, in addition to the amount already pledged for the purpose, are needed at once.