Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-12-21
Methodism and Temperance.

At the recent sessions Of the Virginia and
North Carolina Conferences of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, a series Of Resolu-
tions, adopted by the Missouri Conference,
and asking the concurrence OF the other Con-
ferences, was submitted. The nature of these
Resolutions was to ask of the General Con-
ference to change the Discipline Of the
Church, SO as to require members, not to
6 make, sell or use intoxicating drinks" and
to make it a term of church membership
The Va. and n. G. Conferences declined con-
curing In the Resolutions, which has given
rise to some misunderstanding and misrep-
resentation as to the position Of the Church
on the subject. In view of this fact, tho Ed
itor Of the Richmond Christian Advocate. n
whole souled Temperance man, makes the
following explanation:
From the beginning the Methodist Church
has regarded " Drunkenness, or the drink
ing OF spiIituous liquors except in cases of
necessity, = as offences. Within her legiti-
mate jurisdiction, and in connection with pop-
ular measures, she has sought, in all leeiti-
mate ways, to suppress the evils of intempe-
rance. Her ministers and members are not
a whit behind others in efforts to promote
temperance. On this point she needs no Gu.
loglst, and cannot be accused with either
truth or justice.
Between her course, in these respects, and
the proposition to make new tests Of Church
membership, there is a vast disproportion.
This Is the essence of the Missouri Confer
ence movement. 1t was designed to alter the
Discipline of the Church, so as to affect the
relations and rights of all theniembers of the
Church and that on a subject that, however
it may be considered in itself, is not laid down
in the Scriptures as a term Of communion
with the Head of the Church. Private opin-
ion, with the inveterate personal hatred of
ardent spirits, and hostility to their use. felt.
we may truly say, by every member of the
Conference, could not induce them to move
In this direction q peg beyond what is writ
ten. The Virginia Conference disclaims all
right, authority or power to l~egislate upon
this subject. She refused to recommend tho
highest Legislative department of the Church
to do what she felt she herself, if possessed
OF legislative powers, had no right to DO. and
would not attempt to do. This is the sub
stance of her action.
The refusal of the Conference TO concur in
) this movement, within the Church. does not
affect her position to the temperance reform
or change her relations to the movement 70
prevent lntemperance, in which she has. Ly
. resolutions, spoken SO often and with so much
c force. She is not unwilling to witness the
extremity OF civil legislation against the evil.
nor to cooperate, in the persons of her MEM
bers, to produce such a result. MANY of hor
I! members, we know, are identified with the
Order of the Sons of Temperance. and ali of
them, we believe, advocate, by teaching and
E example, total abstinence from all that con
lntoxicate. But in this case. thew were not
acting as members Of a temperance .oc;a,v
{ but rs members of the Church of Christ. snb.
e Jects OF ms laws, and pastors, not legislators.
Oh MS people. lie, not the Virginia Con fer.
enee, Is the law-maker of the Church Our
PI"ce u '" execute has laws, not to make new
" oneS ior MS people. 1t is a misconception
then, to use n gentle word. 10 snnnoso tboro
was anything, in this act Of the Clnfcrarco
unfriendly to the principles Of the Tsmnsr,
n ance Reformation, or antagonistic r. ;ts IL.
h inmate measures to countervail tho oils "A
h lntemperance. She occupies mo- new Ground
on TINS subject nor is her position a Montreal
one. one mas not taken a step aekwards. 2
- Just Where she has always stocd. she still
STANDS. Ihe North Carolina Conference ne
cuples the same position and for the same
general reasons; and so, we are nersuaded
Viii a majority of the. Conference. of tb,
oouthern Methodist Church. But. this posi
W .oh need not excite the alarm. nor arouse
of the opposition of the friends Of TEMPERANCE
nor can 1t give any encouragement TO the en-
emies OF the movement now in ao;tot;on If
r tng'hia and North Carolina to secure leris
ty la'iNe action for the suppression Of intemper
a. ahce. on this point, we presume, the minis
70 teIs Oh our Church win be found side by sid,
WIZ tue warmest advocates Of prohibitory