Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1840-08-26
For the Telegraph.
I Ut LWC
The Duty of the Church I'm Regard to I'm.


MIR. Editor :-SeelDg so mucn edTnestueso
by Enquirer on the subject OF
and continuing in fellowship by
the churches, rum sellers, rum drinkers, or
those who use intoxicating liquors-or In
short. the sanction of the church 10 the cause
of intemperance-and feeling the question
to be Of vital importance 10 the church, to
individuals, and to the whole world, feel II
my duty again to reply.
In my first answer, merely said yea and
nag, TO The queries of your correspondent.
| will now give some Of my reasons.
l. Those who study the Bible, must be
aware that he who knoyingiy tempts his
neighbor TO do wrong, is as guilty as the one
yielding TO the temptation.
2. Those who are conversant with the
annals of crime and records Of decisions o!
cur higher courts, know that they consider
the one who instigates another to commit
theft, robbery, or murder, alike guilty with
the principal. This was the case in regard
10 the murderer Of the aged Mr.. White Of
Salem, Mass, and the accessories TO the
murder, few years ago. This has been
the decision against those who have know
ingIy secreted stolen goods.
3. The seller of Intoxicating liquors,
who possesses common intelligence, knows,
that in all ages, since they have been used
as drink, and tolerated by law, no penal
| enactment has been able to prevent the
drunkard's Obtaining the deadly draught, in
despite Of those laws, and he would rush
! the more furiously towards the pit which
was yawning to receive him. Lock at the
poor inebriate. He sees his companions, but
little in his rear, allowed the privilege Of
drinking to the full, while he is told that he
must deSiSt. He knows he has often been
overcome, bot he does not approve of
drunkenness any more than his followers,
and no doubt feels resolved that he will new
er again SO far yield as TO permit reason TO
| be delhroned. He feels that should Others
cease using the perncious drink, he would
be strcng thened in resisting it. But while
! they practice ii, and are not forbidden by
! law, he feels the law 10 be partial and cru
| ell, when he has been led thus far, TO say 10
him, cease, and let the others 90 on. He
can with propriety say, had not been
! drawn into this seductive path, bv sanction
Of law and the practice of those called re-
! spectacle men, and perhaps professors of
! religion, had not had this degradation of
character, and almost unconquerable appe-
/ tite
4. Those who use Intoxicating liquors as
a drink, and have investigated tie subject,
know that they are not necessary as
! drink; and if they continue 10 use them for
that purpose, it is 10 crafty appetite or TO
support the drinking usages of society at the
expense of character, usefulness and the
weii-being Of both body and soul of many
! Of their fellow beings. They know that,
/ although there is not special or particular
command in the Bible, that man shall not
drink intoxicating liquors as a beverage, still
/ they are aware that there Is principle laid
down in that book, which if applied, wcald
causes another TO offend or 'stumble'-
They must know that the example Of re-
spectacle men operates more powerfully.
than any human aw,-Iherefore it is their
imperative duty to set such examples as all
may safely follow. The vender and drink
er Of intoxicating liquors both know that
while the customs of society sanction such
practice, some individuals will as surely be
drawn into the vortex Of destruction, as that
effect follows cause.
3. Knowing these things, and refusing to
abstain from selling, or using, because de-
sire for more property, or craving of appe-
lite stand in the way, while the good of
mankind demand the sacrifice, would be sat
lstactory evidence to me, that the cause Of
religion would receive no aid from their
uniting with the church, and should there
fore give my voice against il.
6. All such practices as have formerly
been tolerated in the church, but are now
ascertalned TO be sinful and injurious to the
cause OF righteousness, should Immediately
be thrown out. If there is difference of
opinion as 10 the guilt of certain customs
which have prevailed, argument should be
used TO convince those in error, but if they
long persist in such practice, should saw,
throw out the error, and if any one cling TO
Il, let him go too: ! am fully of the opin-
ion, that there has been more Of a seeking
for numbers in different churches, than for
righteousness. ! am also fully persuad-