Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1833-06-25
EOR LIE ENoLLLprr

oyy,u, FOR THE ENQUIRER
men ones Hobby horse grows headstrong
and lair OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES WV ''A'o"
The method of controlling public opinion by voluntary
associations has within few years past been so much re-
sorted TO- and the tendency of such associations IN
gender party feeling, TO subserve party views and 70
create proscrptve and enthusascal spirit has
odpPareht mat many good and intelligent men are he
coming at least doubtful of the policy of such
Whether this doubt be well founded or not we will M, a,
present undertake TO determines: certain il is however
d' al some period OF their existence the greater
oil such institutions have fallen into wild and rcuos
excuses become engines OF political ecce siasica on
pression and have ultimately proved niu,io,s n, h &
cause they set out 10 maintain. '
the Temperance Society be not an institution found
Gu upon principle, the expediency of which may be
qucsuoheu' we may at least affirm that entbusastical
P"it mas entered The Society, which may be productive
OF great mischief, and will ultimately DESTROY lie evs,
ence 1t has been iearessy and unqualiedly asserted
by large body Of lately met in Convention in PHI
aue'phia consisting oil Cburchmen of various denouna.
tons and many intelligent laymcn, that the rafIic il,
or use oil ardent spirits drink is a moral wrong
declaration so daring and coming from such an
source mas reused spirit OF enquiry which hone will
not siumber until such hcresy is banshed the realm,
nc question Is daily asked who has imposed this new
oDIgatlon! Who has added this new renuirement f., a.
divine law, and placed this restriction on the c1cs.
who has declared that unclean which the Bible .uSs
ces lawful! and promulgated moral aw the fearful re-
rospect oil which, condemns sinful the practice of tho
who'e egous world, and the moral and yruous mart ,C
The community for many centuries back. we hear en-
ques OF this nature constantly nade and many Church
members ana others who have heretofore palro1zcd ue
Temperance Society becoming either nominal or lkc
warm members, or Withdrawing their entirely from
the Society. 'J "o''
our purpose is to examine the grounds ibat have
brought The Philadelphia Convention 10 such novel con-
cuson as Is contained in the above extract from, their
Geeungs ad 10 shew its perncious te ndences And
WIN drect my remarks more particularly to the clergy
disposition TO refine upon the doctrines of the Bible has
manifested sel at various periods i'm the history of he
church Many attempts have been made TO impose ne W
restrictions on the conscience, in order 10 make men more
H,'uous' GOOD men at different periods of the Church
When particular vices have become prevalent have
n more Hgid requirements than are enoned i'm the Bibe
ne late OF all such innovations is well known 10 an en-
ghened clergy and the friend of Christianity is alarmed
any departure from the pure doctrines Of religion know
wa. such unnecessary rgldily has invariably ended
w hcehousness The prohibition Of meats in the Romish
huTch ana The Injunction of celbacy on the clergy in
me ON ana fh centuries proceeded the same prnci.
PEE as The injunction of abstinence from ardent sprt
uhuer penalty OF committing Sin. II is the old propensi,y
OF prescribing use TO prevent abuse Instead of teach.
"B a' every creature is good aud enoinng 'nodera.
non ih an h'ngs, we grayely told that the use
wrong. '' " O'''S
~ wIIl not he pretended, presume Ivy the advocate,
W hs new doctrine that II drawn from the Bible lis
'ue naked dlctuin OF body Of men, upon their own
responsibility have declared that drinking ardent spirits il
NAHUM in &c: And instead Of allowing each indjvj.
ouaI ulscfeon on this subject eniou abstinence az du-
oody Of men pegnitied to enjoiu Indifferent
aga duty and give them the force and sane.
o o moral obligation, the standard Of morals would he
&c "uc'"ing as the various opinions Of prece.