The Columbian fountain., 1846-01-06
TEMPERANCE AND RELIGION.

religion, We plead "not guilty." We have
not said one word which was not necessary
inIconnection with the subject. It is impos-
sible to talk or write on the subject of tenn
perance without introducing that Of religion.
So intimately are they blended, SO beauti-
fully do they operate in connection, SO ne
cessary is the one to the other, SO naturally
do they "unite and blend in one" that he
who would separate them would find the
subject meagre, comparatively uninteresting
and improbable. Ii is true that man may
be teetotaler and not Christian; but,
can there be Christian, in the true sense
OF the word, who is not teetotaler9 Can
a man be Christian and drunkard, or
(what amounts to the same thing can he
at the same time be Christian and palk IN
the drunkard's pathS Can Christian be
a moderate drinker7 The Christian is COM
manded ito let his light shine before men,
that they, seeing his agood works. may
initiate his example. What sort of light
would moderate drinking Christian show,
and what sort Of an influence would his
example exercise upon the community Ii
would not be Christian influence. Far
from it If there are any who profess
Christianity who are addicted to the prac-
tice Of partaking moderately of wine, OF
amy other beverage that intoxicates, we fear
they are deceived. God forbid that they
should continue the practice. Not only are
they, themselves, walking in the broad high
way which thousands have travelled before
them, and which has for its terminus the
grave Of the drunkard, but they are encour-
aging others to pursue the same track, who
look to them for example, and who, had
their example been in accordance with the
principles they proiessed, might have been
induced to follow them to the altar of re-
pentance, had their names registered on
high, and been jewels in the crown of Him
who was made the instrument of their con-
version H
But what connection has temperance with
religion? Itprepares and paves the way
its operation is not confined to the body.
but reaches the mind. 1t not only restores
the physical powers, but ii rcnews and rem
ovates and restores the powers of the mind,
qulckens the reasoning faculties, and enables
man to distinguish right from wrong
washes from his brow the mark of the
beast, and enables his mind to appreciate
and understand the plan of salvation. No
longer under the influence of an unnatural
excitement, he sees things as they are, and
Is able to put proper construction upon
them. Then the beautiful simplicity of the
Gospel plan, under the ministry of some
faithful expounder of the revealed will of
heaven to man, may arrest his attention, turn
his thoughts inward, and lead him to see the
necessity Of a reformation internal as well
as external. Thus does it minister to the
mind diseased, and pave the way for the in
fuence Of religion upon the soul
-39 sf r-eS>~~,-->>~,~.-~~-~~-~~~>~~ II
The effects Of intemperance have been
the same in all ages, and among all nations.
Wherever it has existed, it has destroyed
the happiness and blasted the prospects of
its victims. II has been reserved to the 10Th
century more fully to devclope its destruc-
tive tendency, and to expose, in all its hid
eous deforrnity, the blackness Of darkness,
which, like pail, has overshadowed the
land-the sun Of temperance has arisen in
our horizon---his beams have pierced the
gloom and scattered the clouds which OBJ
structed our view--the scales have fallen
from the drunkard's eyes--he has had a
glimpse Of the fearful termination td,wbich
he was hastening--he has ceased to do
evil" and has "learned to do we'll" He