Show social need there is a disposition in some quarterma qu artera to decry tho coffeo house plan of temperance work as weak and inefficient I 1 is not better places of resort that are wanted says one objector but better homes instead of establishing poor mens clubhouses club houses cays another let us concentrate our energies upon improving and brightening poor mens homes in this connection anch is said about the neglect of families and the importance of better home influences etc all this is plausible and to a certain extent true the importance of making much of home life and home surroundings cannot bo exaggerated and no right minded person would think of establishing any class of institutions that would tend td supersede the home in the interests and affections of men it is to bo remembered however that in every thickly settled community there is a class of persons who have no homes properly speaking except such poor substitutes alio lodging house or the cheap hostelry afford and for these there is no convenient alternative except the ea loons and it is to be remembered also that among all men there is a natural and legitimate desire for social intercourse for congenial companionships companion ships not to lie satisfied at all times even in alie beet and brightest of homes la other words the fact must be recognized eliat there is and roust always be a real and proper need limited but none alio less real in every civilized community for places of social rendezvous places where men may congregate and enjoy alie advantages of companionship this need is now supplied mainly by the drink shops with all their attendant evil and demoralizing influences it is tho work of the temperance reformer to supply this need with something better to meet the social wants of the community in an honest and legitimate way christian at work |