Constantine republican. [volume] (Constantine, Mich.) 1836-1838, 1837-05-24

temperance AddreSS.-We hnd on our
table neatly printed pamphlet containing
an Address delivered before the Total Alb
stinence Temperance Society of Detroit,
by the Rev. EDWARD ToMPsoN of the
Methodist Church. II is written with con-
siderable spirit, and has some pertinent
arguments, and pointed appeals in behalfof
the cause il advocates. We copy few
paragraphs.-Deroa Ado.
81 pass to notice one or two arguments
against this society. 1t is contended that
wine in eastern countries is used tempe
rately; that when SO used it may be bene-
fetal that the Saviour countenanced its
use. answer, oriental climates are ener-
waiting, our climate is bracing, oriental wine
is pure, ours aduterated, oriental habits are
temperate, our habits Incorporate and
though in certain situations and under
certain circumstances it may be innocently
used, yet in our country and age, it cannot
be so employed. But it is enquired may
not oriental wines be obtained by some
unadulterated, used by them temperately,
and when those wines are thus used, is their
employment wrong' | answer, others
are injured by their example and the apostle
says, "If meat make my brother TO offend,
| will eat no meat, while the world STAN
deth."
1t is further argued that this society is
an attempt to substitute temperance for
religion. If this were true, | should
abandon it at once, and forever. "God for
bid that should glory save in the cross. !"
look upon the effort in which we are en-
gagged, as one purely providential, growing
out of the circumstances of the nation, and
the age. An enterprise in which every
party, creed, or sect, may cheerfully en-
gage. | embark in it as the capitalist en-
cages in cutting q canal to unite two dis
tant seas. The primary object of the for
mer, as of the latter enterprise is to in
crease the wealth, the commerce, the
science, and the happiness of the world. If
by the one, or by the other process, we
should also open portal through which we
can readily transmit the Bible and the Cross,
so much the more will we rejoice, and to
God give all the glory
To the enemies of our society, pro-
pound a question. If by opposing, you
dishearten and depress the friends of tenn
perance, and ruin the cause, what will you
effect? You will not injure those great
and good men who projected this noble
scheme, and at the sacrifice of personal in.
terest and popularity maintained it, with all
the powers oftheir vigorous minds and holy
hearts. You may cover their name:
with obloquy and their cause with contempt
but they will not suffer. They have al
ready grown gray in the service Of theii
God, and their generation. they are stan
ding upon the margin of the grave, ant
will soon descend into its bosom posteri
ty will do them Justice in this world, ant
heaven in that which is to come. But i
you succeed, you will affect yourselves
and do the rorld an injury. If the expert
ment now making should fail, when will i
ever be repeated Let history inscrib'
the names of Beccher, Edwards, Edgar
Fisk, Hewitt, Drake and their coadjutor
on the roll of defeated champions, and re
cord the fact, that after having dotted TIT
globe around with her auxiliaries, the A
merican Temperance Society proved al
abortive enterprise and in what land, ant
what period Of the worlds existence, vii
be found heads sufficiently strong, an
, hearts sufficiently bold, to raise the falel
standard. A failure of Thea America
Temperance revolution, would dishearte
the friends of Temperance in every lane
3 as much as the breaking up of our govern
ment would sink the hearts of the cham
pions of liberty throughout the world"