Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1854-06-29
For the Times.
Modern Moral Reform.


Modern Moral Reform.
Mr.. EDIroR-An article in your paper of the
18th inst, headed THE Missouri State Agricultu-
raj Society,"" is, Think worthy of very serious
attention by all those who wish to show, or in any
wise contribute 10 the proper direction Of the spirit
Of Improvement now abroad in the land. The OBJ
ject Of the writer appears to be, to exert such an
influence upon our approaching election in August,
that no "License Law" advocate shall be elected
to the Legislature, or indeed, to any office within
the gift of the people. He seems anxious to be-
gin the campaign early, and with his best ability
use wit, sarcasm and irony to lash, betimes, all
disbeievers into the good and right way. He
seems fearful lest the "summer should pass, the
harvest be over, and we (the people, not saved"
We were certainly very much surprised to find
the initials of our much respected Methodist Mn
lister, attached to the article. Not that the ideas
advanced were other than we would expect him
priUHtelyt to entcrtan but that he should openly,
and in political paper, have gone far as to al
tempt TO influence ;he coming cirA election in that
way,.we confess that it astonished MS; but know
ing the man, can excuse him upon the plea Of "good
intentions" We believe that heartfelt philan-
thropy prompted the effort, and give him due
credit. But will others, particularly the ungody,
and those who may chance to differ with him. as
freely exculpate such active interference on the
part Of minister? viii they not be apt to think
aye, and talk, too, something after the following
manner?
Does this minister really believe that he is do
ing Gods service by attempting to'make all cgis-
lation subservent to, or of little import, compared
with the destruction of liquor? Can he feel jus.
titled in thus laying aside the meek and holy wea-
pons of his spiritual warfare, and attempting to
introduce civil power to support the Saviour's
cause? If so, he must have some authority for
it which we have not secn--some example given
by Christ or the Apostles not recorded in the hoa
ly writings. In an age when civil liberty was well
nigh lost, when tyranny and corruption abounded,
not one public effort of Christ or his disciples can
be cited, in which they attempted to influence the
legislation of the country. Their efforts were di-
rectcd to convince the world Of ''sin, of righteous
ness, and the judgment to Gomez" and by their
own purity and holiness, aided by the Divine Spir-
it, work the gradual reformation of our race.
The occasion for sin, the temptations, which the
world and the devil may interpose, were not the
objects of their denuncatens or anathemas-they
knew that where 'sin abounded grace did much
more abound.' Twas the heart, the true foun-
tain of SIM they attempted to correct. Not by the
force of ciril legislation, but by ''the power of
God unto salvation." He expressly declares "my
kingdom Is not of this world;" ''be we not Of this
world but come out from among them" With
what proprety, them can his ministers call in the
assistance of Beezebub, to cast out the devil in
temperance? Whv do we not hear of more de-
termined and unanimous effort upon the part of
the Church to reform her o,cn borders, so that she
may set cher light upon hill'' 10 enlighten the
world Why not purify the leorcn before trying
to leaven the whole lump? Is it mt notorious that
some of the heaviest liquor dealers IN the State
are church members of good standing?
But to notice the apparent argument which
formed the basis of the genteman's certainly very
ingenious display of rhetoric.
Says he, "The license lars manufacture drunk
ards" The engine then that so controls steam,
and renders it itservceable to man, must be answer
able for all accidents and cal0mities that may
cur when really chargeable alone TO carelessness,
or the mate force of the element itself. The IL
cense laws, according to our understanding, nei-
ther create or sustain the use of liquor-but are
intended by their restrictive influence upon its trar-
fc, in a degree, TO lessen the evil, make it con-
tribute to some good, revenue, sc.
But if he insists upon the soundness OF the ar
gumcnt / viii contend for more liberal diSuibu-
ton of his second proposition, viz;
"That every department of enterprise should
have an equal representation in the public fairs"
fte has cited one department that, in his opinion,
has heretofore been sighted, | will cite one or
two more that | think equally worthy-thcy, too,
being of the manufacturing class. First-Elere is
young man gifted and eloquent skilled in all the
learning of the schools; the hope Of friends, the
pride of acquaintances; his soul ever keenIy alive
to the ills and sorrows that flesh is heir To-; phi
lanthropist by nature, he is induced 10 listen to the
sermons of some eloquent abolitonist. Striking
upon a sympathetic chord in his own breast, he at
once yields to the influence Of the sentiments which
have for their object universal beneyolence, and
the rescue Of down trodden liberty. Every dor
mant energy Of his nature is at once aroused; he
thinks of it by day and dreams of ii by night its
his constant theme Of conversation. His more sO-
Der friends strive in vain TO quell the rising tumult
of his passions; he hugs but closer that glorious
''One Idea" in comparison with which all else is
naught. lie is led step by step, until he regards
the constitution of the United States as deesiaJle,
and strives with all his power to rsIsd our happy
Union!
Another specimens; 4 minister of the meek and
lowly Jesus, whose Imagination has dwelt too long
upon the dangers of intemperancs, abandons his
pulpit that he may the more freely give vent to the