Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1849-04-04

answered and said Jesus | know. and
Paul know, but 1eho are ye? And The
man in whom the evil spirit was, leaped
on them and oyercame them, and prevailed
against them so that they fled 'oul Of that
house naked and wounded" (Acls &c.,
Let others take warning; take heed
how they assume the oIfice of The holy
ministers Of God, lest The Devil be let
loose ppon them, and drive them OUT, with
The same severe and signal punishment;
let them remember that God has appointed
His way by which the moral reformation
Of the world is 10 be accomplished; and if
they invent any olher means, they are no
be,ier Than the sons Of Sceva, aud will
ultimately meet most melancholy re-
buke.
Placing now all considerations of reIi'
gious and moral character out oflhe ques-
lion, lei US see how this Society stands on
its only remaining ground sof defence, viz :
benerolence; for which term will use phil
anlhrophy, man heing the object of this
good will. This is the most exalted
principle lha, exists in lhe mind of an irre-
lisious man. 1t is like the first, and great
commandment. which requires love 10
God; and when connected with it they
comprehend the whole Of religion. They
comprehend the substance Of what Moses
in he law, aud what The Prophets have
spoken. TO produce This has been the
design of Moses, the Prophets, The Saviour,
and the Apostles. Pbilan,hrophy is the
foundation of patriotism, and have mol
the least disposition to de;ract from so
exalted principle Of human nature. If
then the Temperance Society, apart from
moral and religious considerations, but ac.:
tuaIed by philanlhropic motives, shall
choose to organize themselves into dis
tincG parlv, in order TO- elfeclsume social or
political relurm, who condeslve 10 oppose
their efforts, or gainsay their motives? II
is this general and Indefinite declaration
of their principles and object, which has
given their movement so much plausiblli.
ly aud success.
Let it now be borne in mind, that no
sooner do they undertake, TO vindicate
their cause upon The ground of national
policy Than they become political party.
A political parry is The proper name for
this society at present. Have they not
dashed aside the christians motto, moral
suasion? Have they not sent 10 our Leg
islature, men lo-inroduce resolutions aud
laws to favor their peculiar views and
policy? Have lbey not organized Them
selves into oliques, in small Towns and
Villages. to coucerI operations. 10 oppose
and ,rample down by the brute force of a
majority, The rights and interest Of III who
are not Of their pariyf
F. is it any recommendation with them,
that man shall possess and maintain a
character for infexible integrity, unbem-
ished honor, unimpeachable honesty, and
undoubled patriotism No sir. lsis not
lamentabe that ministers Of the Gospel.
should have become members of a polill>
cal'par,y, whose arbitrary and wild fana,i-
cism knows no bounds! They not only
subject themselves in this manner TO public
ap.lz deriaiAnr-hul ull- -ns iaa--..-
barrier between themselves and those very
men, to whom they should be The most
acceptibe-and 10 whom they have been
sent upon mission, 10 call 10 repentance.
IT the policy Of The temperance party is 10
be supported, like that of the Wings or
Democrats, upon The ground of It's national
advantages, then would say to our pinus
ministers who in the honesty of their hearts.
have been deuded TO become parIizans, TO
take heed lest The embiltered strifes, and
party examinations which must soon sur.
round them. do not through their hands.
degrade our most holy religion. Their
Individual character will become swallowed
up in that Of their party, and they will
be estimated according TO the general
policy and principles Of those with whom
they are associated. Already we see indi.
cations, of party feelings, party prejudices,
and party organization, TO such degree,
that some OF their ablcsl and most judicious
friends, have been induced 10 Withdraw
from the Society entirely, while others Of
the moro moderate members, have become
greatly disafecred. Their grca, fana;icaf
leader, though we give him credit for lhe
hest motives, has already declared that the
subject must he tested at The ballot, box,
and discussed in our Legislature. TO
suppose that this party. will be able 10
govern The State according 10 their policy,
without political struggle, OF great vic.
lence and angry dispu,ation, is 10 expect
that all men, will give up the use Of
liquors, wines; cider, and vinegar. without
scripsralinjuncion, or reasonable die
tate, requiring it.
1t is to expect all men 10 acl Oh the
exalted and magnauinous principle of St.
Paul, who would refuse 20 use that which
is lawful. rather than its use should become
stumbling block to Others. IL this prin'
ciple be correct, il is a perlecIion--a moral
sublinity, 10 which our most pious minis.
ters in this day, do not approximate. And,
yet, society Of men-thoash very like
in pride and self exalation in comparing
themselves. with their neighbours, TO the
couceiled Pharisee, their ilus,rious proIo.
type in this respect, who can moi say God
thank thee that | am not as other men
are" extor,ioners, unjust aduIlerers or even
as my neighbour, lin principTe,) profess 10
act upon this great principle Of self denial,
for The good Of others.
The principle which I conceive TO be
correct is laid down by the celebrated DR..