Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-04-08

they assumed an opposite tone, one of
indignant defiance, which we all re-
member and cherish with unminglcd
admiration. If ever in the history of
our world there was righteous cause,
and one which commended itself TO
the favor of all who possessed the spir-
1t OF a freeman, certainly it was this
But was this the case? On the con-
trary, is it not painfully true, that not
few of their counlrymen were SO
welded to gold, to honors, and so feat
ful of offending the great men of the
land, as not only led them to oppose
their principles, but also to help to
enslave theml No one can deny this
truth, and therefore we would say, if
men could then be found ready to
sacrifice their own rights and liberties,
it cannot be more strange that some
who have SO deep an interest in the
success of our cause, are nevertheless
our opposers.
Tie second truth of history llustra-
tive of this fact, is found in the Relor-
nation. The immortal Luther, con.
vinced of the errors and impurities of
the Papal Church, and, aroused to ac-
ton by the danger of his own, and the
souls of his fellow men, while trusting
for salvation through the instrumental
ity ofthat communion, having sought
wisdom from God, commenced that
glorious work, which has ever since
continued to speed its course, until it
has reached the four quarters of the
globe, and is to day the hope and the
joy of millions, who, by an eye Of
faith, are enabled to look from this sim
cursed world to that blessed country.
" where the wicked cease from troub-
ling, and the weary are at rest Did
he succeed without an effort! Did he
find none to oppose q! Let his drcary
prison-walls echo a repy, which SO
long witnessed his mlscries and con-
fined all of the mln that was MORTAL
Indeed, whether opposition to his glo-
rious reform has yet ceased rs a ques
ton which cannot easily or satistacto-
rly be answered, although the faggot,
the flame, the saw and other instru-
ments of cruelty are no longer in re-
QUESTION, wherew ith to convince the
hereto OF his wickcdness, and to rid
the world of such monsters. If then
il is true thlt these reforms we're
thus denounced, and these good men,
"of whom the world was not worthy"
who labored to make them successful,
were opposed and prosecuted, is it
strange that the same opposition is
manifested i'll regard to Temperance
Indeed it is not. We do not claim
that the cause We advocate is more i'm
portant, or, that it promises more for
the happiness Of mankind but, we do
contend, that both our political and
religious privileges must be vastly pro-
m tied by the success, and awt'ully per-
lied, ifnot completely destroyed by our
defect. 1t is not strange that we are
opposed, but it is strange that our
claims upon the attention of the peo-
pie are not more candidIy considered,
better understood and more highly ap-
prcciated. II all opposition 10 tenn
pcrance emanated with, and was per-
severed in by bad men, or those who
might plead ignorance as pal!iati ,n,
it would be quite amentabIe enough;
but, when to such, we are compelled
to see christians and christian minis
ters added, whose learning, eloquence
and virtues ; aud, above these, whose
zeal influence and usefulness in the
church of God is seen and known,
1t is Indeed most painful and humili-
ating. To be denounced as ultra, fa-
natical and foolish, by our equals, is
very unpleasant, but, when such de-
nunciatIons proceed from our teachers
the best men i'll the land, it requires
no common share of faith in God
no common assurance of the righteous
ness of our cause, and no small de-
gree of moral courage to move OH in
the path of duty. 1t is a very small
to be rcproached by those
whose appetites urge them on. and,
we can bear with calmncss and pity
their assertions, that by our uncharta-
bcness and pervcrseness, we are not
only doing serious injury to the
cause we profess to love, but that we
are actually casting an imputation on
the very first miracle of our blessed
Saviour, who in his wisdom was pleas
ell to turn water into wine; but not
so when such sentiments are uttered
by christians, or thundcred from the
sacred desk fit is true that aicohoi-
ic Winc was produced Oh that occasion
and recommended ~ that chrisliln'
company, ! ha, only To be satisfied of
that fact, forever To c.Ose my sinful
lips aud to mourn over the blindness of
that zeal which has been so slow u
comprehend the truth. Whatever M
Saviour did was right; | may mott
dare not question any act of his but
before passing condemnation upon my
self, | must have some proof to sub
sinn,lalc my error, and as such proof
never has, aud To my mind never can,
be produced, it is not strange that |
should continue 10 embrace the cyi-
dence which. from the pen Of inspira-
ton, and from other sources obtained.
conyinces my mind, that the Saviour
could not have exsrted his omnipotence
10 give such plea Sr ,n.empersncc.