Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1833-12-19

professor in an elevated station, may
sometimes be attended with temporary
Inconvenience, I'VE readily admit; but we
fully believe that an opposite course will
be attended with much greater; to say
nothing of the reproach which the latter
will constantly bring on the cause of
Christ. Let an individual in such cir
eurnstanc show himself for u little time
faithful adherent to the dictates Of an
enlightened Conscience, incapable of be-
ing moved by ridnule, er Aattery, or uuy
other influence, from the stern princi-
pies of duty, and The difficulties which
may at first press upon him, will soon
disappear; but let him on the other hand
manifest timid, and yielding, and com
promising spirit, in ever so slight degree,
and his comfort and usefulness as Chris
tiaD will soon be lost between a goading
conscience Oh the one hand and spirit
of worldhness on the other
Extract from an Address to the citizens
of Massachusetts, by the Temperance
Convention, held at Worcester, Mass. }
in September last.
abstinence from using ardent spirits on
some reasonable principle, which will be
universally understood pd admitted /;
they, therefore, assume the following to
be fundamental truths:
First. No man can be reasoned with,
to amy useful purpose, who does not un-
derstand, that there are laws ordained
by the Creator for the government Of
human beings as individuals, and in their
social relations.
/ Second. The human family were in
tended to dwell in domestic and social
connexion.
I Third The members Of society are
made TO be dependent onench other, for
the prevention Of evil, and for the en-
joyment Of the reasonable good Of life.
VI Fourth. The continuance and enjoy
ment of animal life, depends on the using
of proper food, in suitable manner.
FIN. Understanding was given to hu-
man beings, to direct in the using ol
those things, which are adapted to pre-
serve health, to prolong life, and to rem
!. der life agreeable.
Sirh. The using Of those things
which destroy health, impair strength
and disqualify the understanding to per.
form its Offices, is an abuse of the gift o.
life, and violates the laws Of the Crca,
, tor.
.Serenih. The use Of ARDENT SPIRIT j.
i, proved by the testimony Of physicians
and by mou'ntul experience, to be, no
only unnecessary as food, or refresh
ment, but injurious and also to be the
: cause Of most Of the sutlerinss ant
" wretchedness which are known in soci
=, t'y.
Assuming these truths, this Conven
,ion have considered by what means they
could be made to be generally knowI
and acknowledged. Reason must bs
appe aled to; for it is not doubted tha
mankind will not do those acts, which
. must make them suffer, and make thos'
with whom they are connected misera
BILE, in any case, where reason can hav
its proper influence.
The object must be, to bring with
" the reasonable comprehe nsion Of a
J members of society, the true nature ofa,
dcaf spirits, and ihe ineriiable consequen
;, ces of using Them. To effect this, it wi
} be useful to advert to the course Of re
I form in temperance, so lar as it has hiIl
er.o succeeded
Habituah drunkenness has alway
=, been considered disgrace iul. No an
", ~. would be trusted with amy cmpl"yn"n
Ut public or private, who was known I"
Il a drunkard. But it was not disglacel
-, a few years ago, to become excited
y social meetings. 1t is not doubted tn
:" at the present day, no respectable men
90 % Der of society would so degrade hlmse
- as to lose the use of his limbs, ard mint
80 :" by Intoxicating drink, on any occasion
>, This sense of personal dignity, IS II
u, a. onsequence Of better information al
W this information has been derived fro
"a. leading the members Of society, to CO
,' "9 slider the effect Of common practices, al
nc ;' to Judge of them reasonably. Attenti
having been, in various ways, drawn
~ the evil consequences Of using arde
~ ~ spirit, the use has been generally disco
III tinued; and there are now not many "
"a. informed, respectable persons, who "
g." M be seen, in public or private, to ia
'I' such drink. 1t is believed, that 4
pc change is a radical and permanent OF
,r .r as it is founded in reason & good sens
In c'- and there seems no ground for app
~, ~. hension, that any persons who kno
o' from experience, the real good OF to
~" abstinence, will ever again indulge
-. any use of spirits.
''oI J So far, reform may be considered
will 'r..'u"', w, t. :, has nn, , q, rao,.h
'ore A.. ;no,,;rv "a nv wha, mo