The Philadelphia institution, known as the “FRANKLIN REFORMATORY HOME FOR INEBRIATES,” has been in existence over five years.  It was organized in April, 1872.  In this institution intemperance is not regarded as a disease, which may be cured through hygienic or medical treatment, but as a sin, which must be repented of, resisted and overcome through the help of God.  In order to place the inebriate, who honestly desires to reform and lead a better life, under conditions most favorable to this work of inner reformation and true recovery, all the external associations and comforts of a pleasant home are provided, as with the two institutions whose record of good results has just been made.  Its administrative work and home-life vary but little from that of the Homes in Boston and Chicago.  But it is differenced from them and other institutions which have for their aim the cure of inebriety, in its rejection of the disease theory, and sole reliance on moral and spiritual agencies in the work of saving men from the curse of drink.  It says to its inmates, this appetite for drink is not a disease that medicine can cure, or change, or eradicate.  New sanitary conditions, removal from temptations, more favorable surroundings, congenial occupation, improved health, a higher self-respect, a sense of honor and responsibility, and the tenderness and strength of love for wife and children, may be powerful enough as motives to hold you always in the future above its enticements.  But, trusting in these alone, you can never dwell in complete safety.  You need a deeper work of cure than it is possible for you to obtain from any earthly physician.  Only God can heal you of this infirmity.

A RELIGIOUS HOME.

While never undervaluing external influences, and always using the best means in their power to make their institution a home in all that the word implies, the managers have sought to make it distinctively something more—­a religious home.  They rely for restoration chiefly on the reforming and regenerating power of Divine grace.  Until a man is brought under spiritual influences, they do not regard him as in safety; and the result of their work so far only confirms them in this view.  They say, that in almost every case where an inmate has shown himself indifferent, or opposed to the religious influences of the Home, he has, on leaving it, relapsed, after a short period, into intemperance, while the men who have stood firm are those who have sought help from God, and given their lives to His service.

Under this view, which has never been lost sight of from the beginning, in the work of the “Franklin Home,” and which is always urged upon those who seek its aid in their efforts to reform their lives, there has come to be in the institution a pervading sentiment favorable to a religious life as the only safe life, and all who are brought within, the sphere of its influence soon become impressed with the fact.  And it is regarded as one of the most hopeful of signs when the new inmate is drawn into accord with this sentiment, and as a most discouraging one if he sets himself in opposition thereto.