HENRY H. MEYER, Editor WADE CRAWFORD BARCLAY, Associate Editor ALCOHOL AND THE NEW AGE An Elective Course for Young People Copyright, 1926, by DEETS PICKETT All rights reserved, including that of translation into foreign languages, Printed in the United States of America First Edition Printed April, 1926 The Bible text used in this volume is taken from the American Standard EDITORS' INTRODUCTION CONSTITUTIONAL prohibition has brought a new day to the nation. It has induced profound social changes. Licensed saloons, on the main streets of cities, towns, and villages, thronged at all hours of the day and late into the night with men and boys, with the consumption of immense quantities of alcoholic liquors, and the thousand and one accompanying social ills, have gone gone, we believe, forever. The social and economic benefits of prohibition are many and indisputable. It is easy for the foes of prohibition to weave tissues of lies concerning an increase of drinking among the young, but these are so palpably false upon their face that they deceive few. The facts are so numerous, so easily discoverable, and so convincing that fair-minded people are not likely to be led astray by the distorted and misleading propaganda with which many of the newspapers of the nation have been filled. Enforcement of prohibition has been imperfect and lax, particularly in the large cities, just as the enforcement of many other laws is partial. As a result it has been possible for those intent upon procuring liquor in violation of the law to get it. Because of this and various other new factors new conditions have arisen. Constitutional prohibition was the result of a long process of education. Since its enactment a new generation has come upon the stage of action. The children of this new generation are now in our schools and church schools. To-morrow they will be voters, determining the future of prohibition as of all other social legislation. The textbook Alcohol and the New Age has been written in view of these conditions. It is the first of a number of courses to be prepared for use in our church schools. It has been written by a specialist whose long study of the subject qualifies him in a special way to write authoritatively. It is to be hoped that the textbook will have the extensive use in study groups of young people that its importance warrants. THE EDITORS. |