The organ of the temperance reform. (Cincinnati, O. [Ohio]) 1852-1853, 1852-02-13

BRo. CLARK Will you have the kindness to
republish the following story, which saw in
your paper a week or two since, as wish to
make a comment or two upon it,
"Iwould steal myself, " said Cuff, "if Twas
not afraid OBJ de dibble"
II dar say you is right" /" was the reply, "and
suppose you ain't watched putty close, ] tnk
you steal anyhow, debble or no debbls."
The above struck me, at first, in a most ridic-
u!ous poilt of view; but upon consideration,
with the exception of Cuffs candor, could
find nothing extraordinary in bis confession
To be sure, the object of Cuffs awe would be
considered an equivocal ally to moral principle 1
but Notwithstanding, we maintain that both his
theology and his ethics are correct, fashionable,
and receive the most respectable cOuntenapce.
While looking for proof Of my assertion,
among the various classes Of society, let us
begin with the clerical proiession-the highest
! in dignity, in talent, in influence.
The examples are exceptions, and if there
were exceptions in Cowpers time, there may
also be in ours. The preacher, who, with es-
senced hair and perfimed cambric with hands
artistically white, adorned with gold rings, who
mounted the pulpit with a skip" is now ex-
tiRct. We enever meet an individual OF the spe-
cies We do not know what their views might
have been with respect TO Cuff deity. It is
to be presumed that they took no cognizance
Of so vulgar personage. The smiles Or trowns
of the fairer portion OF the audience supplied
the deficiency.
In a religious periodical, OF date ten years
back, we find notices Of two discourses deliy-
cred in a large community, to fashionable audi
ences, by popular divine, on the christian duty
of encouraging 6reUries. When it is under
stood that the means to line some OF the promi-
nent pews in the broad aisle with scarletvelvet
were supplied by fermentation, we shall be
at no loss to discover to what sanction this
preacher paid the most respect. The times are
changed, and we are changed too breweries
must look elsewhere than to the pulpits for sup
port,
But do we not occasionally see something like
the following A minister is preaching to his
own congregation, a discourse prepared ior
another occasion and another audience. He is
touching on the confines OF some popular sins,
of some great and prevailing error. He casts
glance Of intuidye perception on the dropping
heads of some of the magnates in the broad
aisle, turns two or three leaves at once, and,
like the pilot who has discovered breakers on
lee-shore, tacks ship, leaves the point of prac-
tical improvement for which he had been head
ing, broad on the weather-bow, and stands out
into the fathomless sea OF speculative theology
A different course, it is said, might impair
his usefulness" How far the excuse will stand
him in stead elsewhere, and on future occa-
sion, is matter for his own investigation.
"The foundation of all human learning"
said an original commentator, is the three
RS, reading, riting, and rithmeic." And
maintain that at the present day, the three
great influences brought to bear on human con-
duct, arc the three P's, the pulpit, the press,
and party, represented by three other P's-the
preacher, the printer and the politician.
have done with the pulpit. So boundless is
its influence for good, that any slight detrac.
ton, like drop from the ocean, leaves no void.
Your craft, Brother Clark, would properly
come next under discussion, but shall spare
myself the trouble, for three sufficient reasons
In the first place, you keep so close lookout
for the failings OF each other, that the cOntin.
gency suggested by Cuffs friend can never be
realized. In the next place, you have done
so vast an amount OF good and so vast an
amount Of evil that I am unwilling to under.
take to make an estimate Of the balance.
Thirdly and lastly. As an entire class, your
amount Of moral reputation is small, and even
slight detracton would make a serious inroad
on your capital.
You may think the last reason ought to oper-
ate in favor OF the politicians, who have no
capital at all You may be sure it is not for
their benefit am laboring. They may rant,
spout and argue or if they choose, they may
fight, and like the Kilkenny cats, bring their
arguments to aposterior conclusion.
/ l must not, however, pass over the third
great influence. For it is on the political field
that Cuffs morality is exhibited in all its glory
/ Party is the great object of reverence Party
decides what is right and what is wrong. As
for " stealing," l cannot say in which cate
CORY it is included. But when you find poll
tician soliciting votes on both sides, and appro.
priating his language accordingly; using one
set Of arguments in one vicinity, and another
in another; talking temperance with temper
ance men, and making league with the liquor
sellers; appealing to that everlasting reservoir
Of scruples, the Constitution. Should such
candidate succeed in obtaining an Office of
pecuniary responsibility not let your name,
Brother Clark, be found on his bail bond. There
is no knowing what he might do" debble, or
no debbe.n
To conclude--too many of us, instead of
looking to a higher sanction, are too prone to
stand in dread OF the worlds opiniOn and our
virtue, like Cuffs, may not be secure without
pretty strict surveillance.
JOSH. BOWERS.