When James was eight years old, the Temperance Reformation was moving on with power. The New England States presented a scene of enthusiasm without a precedent, and the interest spread into north- eastern Ohio. Even the cabins of pioneers were reached by the wave of influence for temperance. Mrs. Garfield was just the woman to welcome such a reform, and to appreciate its full value. The subject was a fitting one for the Sabbath, although it was not neglected on other days. As the handmaid of religion, it challenged her best thoughts and efforts.

“Drunkenness is a terrible sin,” she said, “and I was always glad your father had the same view of it that I have.”

“Didn’t he drink rum or whisky?” asked James.

“Seldom; and he got out of patience with men intoxicated. He thought they were very weak men by nature.”

“Why don’t men stop drinking it, when it is hurting them?” James inquired.

“It is difficult to say why they don’t. Some think they can’t do it.”

“Can’t stop!” James exclaimed, with surprise.

“It is said that they can’t stop—that they form such a terrible appetite that they can’t control it.”

“I would,” responded James, with characteristic firmness.

“Better never begin to use intoxicating liquors; that is the only safe course. It is easier not to begin to go wrong, than it is to turn back and do better after beginning.”

“What do men drink liquor for?”

“It would be difficult to tell what some of them drink it for, I think. Most men drink it because they like it, I suppose.”

“Does it taste good?”

“I suppose it does to those who like it.”

“I should like to taste of some just to see what it tastes like,” added James.

“I rather you would never know how it tastes, my son. If you never taste it, you can never become a drunkard, that is certain. ‘Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.’ Nothing could be truer than that.”

“What is there in rum that makes it hurt people so?” continued James.

“There is alcohol in it, and it is that which makes drunkards. It don’t hurt any one to drink milk or water, does it?”

“Of course it don’t.”

“Well, there’s the difference between these wholesome drinks and intoxicating liquors; there is no alcohol in the milk and water.”

“What for do they put alcohol into them if it hurts people?”