Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1851-12-06

"hCiC tAC "ciC. WIZ ottSHPeCu W VooAh oVosy
from the wrsoks."
For the Polyneshn.
TEETOTALISM AND CHRISTIAN BAPTISM
1t has been suggested to by some Of my friends,
that if really be friend of temperance and have
no secret hankering after strong waters ought to
join the society and sign the pledge, though it were
only for the sake of example If our Savior had left
no example, might yield to such solicitations, for
amongst the many sins that easily beset me, intem
perance ranks not, but venerate that example as
value my salvation; consider myself pledged to-
God himself, by baptism, in way much more sacred
and binding than if 1 were to pledge my sacred
honor" as the teetotallers do, and have conscen-
tious objections, to their pledge to their constitution,
and to their modus opaand, far have been able
to understand its effects upon individuals and upon
those virtues which Christ and his apostles have
pointed out as forming the christian character.
Having promised this much, proceed to explain
why look upon our Hawaiian total abstinence soci-
ETY., i'll contrived and constituted to benefit the.
cause of christianity public morals in these islands
By christianity mean saving faith IN Christ, and
that purity of thought, word and deed which must
ever flow from that faith; and, by public morals,
mean, not love of virtue adherence Of
sin, but love of any thing which is good, and an.
aversion to anything that is bad, with conduct
guided by the rule Whatsoerer ye ,could that
men shouid do TO you, do ye eren so to them.
The Constitution of the Hawaiian Total Absti-
nence Union was, and believe, still is as follows:
ART. /. This Society shall be called the Hawai-
ian Total Abstinence Union; its object being to ad
vance the Temperance Reform.
| ART. 2. The officers of this Society shall be
President, Vice President, Secretary, Committee Of
Vigilance, and Executive Committee.
ART. 3. ANY person may become member by
signing the pledge of Total Abstinence from all in
toxicating drinks as beverage, adopted by this
Society, August IL, 1874.
ART. 4. Any member reported to have been
guilty of violating the Pledge shall be reported at
a regular meeting of the Society by the Vigilance
Committee, they having taken the proper measures
for ascertaining the truth of the report 1t shall be
left with the Society whether any member shall be
expelled for having violated the Pledge; and no
member shall be expelled unless two thirds Of the
members present are agreed thereto.
| ART. s. 1t shall be the duty of the Executive
Committee to provide room for the Societys
meetings, keep any money that may be placed at
the Society's disposal; when necessary levy tax,
or in other way raise money to defray the ne
cessary expenses of the Society," and at the end OF
the year make full report of the progress and
state of the Society. (2)
| ART. 6. This Constitution may be altered or
amended at any meeting of the Society, notice
of said meeting having been given out, at least one
week previously. 1t shall require vote of three
fourths of the members present to make such alte-
ration or lamentations. g
The PLEDGE OF 18th AUGUST, 1S44.-We, the
undersigned, hereby pledge our sacred honor not
to any spirits wine, or other intoxicating liquors
as beverage; and We will employ our utmost en-
deavors to suppress their use throughout the conf
munity, and to reform those who may have unfortu-
nately become addicted to habits Of intemperance.
| Form of certificate given by the society to MEM
bers who have signed the above.
This is to certify that has subscribed
his name this of A. d., l64
to the pledge adopted by the Hawaiian total absti
nence union, August 18th, 1914.
1. 1t is all very fair that who has taken the
pledge should be expelled for not keeping it. But,
fear, in some instances of backsliders, even of
those who have held high offices in the Society, its
ZEAL has led to persecution; it has treated such
backsliders outcasts, and not as men frail. but
still reclaimable by kindness their characters have
been destroyed the bread has been wrested from
their mouths no bowels of compassion have been
moved towards them or their children, and thus,
they have been reduced to the state ofhopeess sots
1t not so that the Washing proceed IN the
United States nor was it so that our Saviour IN
culcated an offending brother to be treated.
AS by this article, violation Of the pledge is the
only disqualification for membership. it Is to be
presumed that those who openly infringe all the
commandments of God. may nevertheless JOIN the
society on signing their name to the pledge OF l7th
August 1874, and remain In paternal relations with
| it, SO long as they do not violate that pledge.
g Doubtless the community would be much edi-
fed by the publication of these 6 full annual re-
porfs." If the society bring rs tldings of good
things, why not expose its wares?
g. If ever should become member of a socie-
ty constituted which is about the least probable
of all improbable things, should not fail to move
that the pledge of 18th august 1ol4 should be
confined to Pagans and Infdels; and that to all
Christians the following should be the pledge
'sWe the undersigned who have been devoted to
God, In christian baptism, and who have solemnly
renounced the devil the world and the flesh, here
by renew that solemn and sacred pledge before
God and this society and in humble dependence
upon his all sufficient grace we do engage to resist
ali carnal lusts and especially the lust Of being
drunk with spirits, wine any other Intoxicating
liquor, wherein is excess; and whether we eat or
drink to do all for the glory of God whom we ear
nesty pray to grant strength to keep this pledge
in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
am not sure how others regard the sacrament
of baptism. For myself, have regarded it pracd-
cally but too little That Is my great fault but not
that ofmy parents who gave me christian educa-
ton. They taught me to believe Of baptism, ac~
cording to the church Of Scotland-AThat It Is IN
stituted by our Lord Jesus Christ that it il seal
of the covenant of grsce-of our migrating into
Christ and Of our union with him remission OF
sins, regeneration, adoption and life eternal that
the water in baptism representeth and signiheth
both the blood of Christ which talxeth away all
guilt of sin original and actual; and the sanctfy
ing virtue Of the spirit of Christ against the domin-
ion Of SIM End the corruption of our sinful nature
that hankizinD ar sprnkinc or washino with water