Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-03-28
THE PULPIT AND THE FAMILY.

uullOTGuJ as WCIl d. dDIO COnIlONCloJ, ndo
been going on in the columns ofthe Greens
boro' Patriot, between a writer over the sig
nature of "SENEx," and another over that of
IAN OLD Son." "Senex," we understand,
is a Minister of the Gospel, and has been,
heretofore, a friend to Temperance organiza-
tions, but now opposes the Order of the Sons
of Temperance, on the ground that sit is an
encroachment upon the Church Of Christ"
Concerning this objection, we quote the fol
lowing able remarks from can OLD Son."
in which we think "Senex'' catches it as he
Justly deserves:
Much has been said, thought, and written
in these stirring times, about almost all sub
jects-and not a little has already been said,
and very much remains to be said. about the
celebrated TEMPERANCE REFORMATION
For a number of years, many good men in
all grades of society have turned their atten-
ton to the prevailing evils of intemperance.
The best talents of our country, of the Pull
pit-the Bar-the Bench-and of our Med
ical gentlemen, have been enlisted in the
noble and godlike cause, and their patriotic
and ~philanthropic labors have told tremend-
ously upon the veal of society. And if any
distinguished man Of Temperate habits, saw
} I'll to stand separate from the associations
formed for the promotion of this cause, it is
) seldom one has been known to throw any
impediment in the way.
1t was thus the rising cause was looked
upon with favor, during infancy But how
changed the feeling, as the organization has
sprung into full vigor and life-hav' g Ia
ken her stand behind her i~mpregnabIe forti-
6cation which she has had the sagacity and
e precaution to throw around her. Many who
once fought under her banner, are now-'O
: tempore, o mores found among her en-
E emies, and stand shoulder to shoulder with
r those that totter under the delirium of inc
6 briation. o. consistency what a rare, but
d still thou art a precious jewel-hide not thy
face-stand erect.
But my object is not to dwell on these
things, however strange, for wonders will
never cease. l only wish to notice a little
y further one objection which is urged by sen.
u sible men, viz That the temperance refor.
nation is, an encroachment on the church
of Christ" Now if this were true, it i:
l. strange that the subject had not been more
I'd thoroughly distressed for l am sure if thi:
position could once be established, (and iii
IS can surely it should be- the organization
n would vanish like snow before the tropica
" sun and he who should make the mattel
clear, would deserve to stand side by sidC
with the immortal Luther. and other refor
mers of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries
~ In my deliberation, however, l am prepared
to say, that the charge is a sopkism, ant
nd those who make it have done so from a wan
as of a thorough, christian, and manly invest
n cation. For it must be admitted by all pre-
S. testant christians, at least, that the govern
ID ments of church and state have their prescr
ire bed limits. The church, which is the king
he dom of Christ upon earth, viewed, or range
in the order of the different denomination
h. has her prescribed limits, and her p%artieula
n duties assigned ;-as such, zee if the SUI
:, preston of the vice of intemperanee, or an
other particular vice as they exist in OIL
land, devolves on church government. 81
the form of government of the Presbyteria
icy church-Chapter viii. Section 2. We thel
riy read as follows These assemblies ougl
not to possess any civil jurisdiction, nor
infict any civil penalties" Their pow
is wholly moral, or spiritual, and that on
ms ministerial and declarative. They posse
the right Of requiring obedience to the lay
e. of Christ and of excluding the disobedie
- and disorderly from the privileges of Il
church &c. See in proof: Luke xii,
; TO 14-John xviii, SO. Acts XIV, from the ]
han to the 80 verse. Mat. xviii, 10, &c. VIII,
and the apostle says Take heed to ~yourselv
ives and to the flock over the which the Ho
ing Ghost has made you overseers." The
lich powers then are to deal with those who v
and unfairly put themselves under their care.
,ach The church can have no control over the
o be who are not, and do not belong to her boo
,;t;- The church cannot touch the, license LasD
North Carolina and stop the vending and l
Of ardent spirits, nor drive the filthy, smol
dark, distillery, and the still more pestil,
anu tial, tamily-destroying, GROCERY from
: ior land. They are the deformed creatures, a
Mons agents of custom, LasU and appetite. 7
He'd church dare not interfere, or if she do
ridi- you hear the response-"This is a free CO.
their try"
% a l am free to admit that the church shol
h. be temperance society enough for her o
members. But suppose she says to a dis
uor. ling, or a rumselling member, you must S
III your business, or 60 out of the church.
'e al replies, l am ~pursuinga laagfaL, yea, an h
sur cradle business, which your honorable m
lper- your stutcsmen. vour CLERGY natronize
and What will you say or do? Interfere v
| be an honest, honorable, and lawful busin'
and throw the member overheard? Null
even law, set aside civil jurisdiction? And furtl