Smyrna times., 1854-07-05
Written for the Smyrna Times.
Bible Temperancs-.No 2.
BY JoHANAN.

BY JOHANAN.
TIE subject which first claims our attention
Bible Temperance. The question arises, then,
what is Bible Temperance! Itisa grace of the
Christian fruit of the Holy Spirit.-Gal. 5,
%, %. 1t isa part of practical life, for we are
commanded to cultivate it.-2 Peter, 1, 6. Tn
this respect it has reference to all the appettes,
passions and acts of man, and to every situa-
ton and circumstance in life. In the language
of the apostle-"to be temperate in all
things" What then, may be given as cor
rect definition of Temperance as thugskought
us by divine truth. The following may be con-
sidered as perfectly just To use everything as
God designed they should DO used. This
plainly expresses and fully covers the general
principle of Bible Temperance. But how shall
we render this subseryient to practical life.-
AS we have confidence in the divine benevo-
lence, we have no doubt but that the golden
rule is the Bible. This declares, that " All
Scriptures were given by inspiration Of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof for
correction, forinstructiorl in righteousness, that
the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly
furnished unto every good work. Tim 3, I6,
IL. 1t is, therefore, perfect rule of life-all
sufficient to teach us-"to live soberly, righte
ously and godly in this present world,'' as we'll
as how to attain eternal life.-Titus 2, IL, 10.
Let US, therefore, have recourse to its sacred
pages-~-'' to the law and the testimony Let
us make it the man of our counsel, and test
every part of life by its sacred principles; for
there is no part, apprehend, that is not refera-
BILE to those principles.
AS subordinate and corroboratiye of divine
truth in. this and many other cases, we NAV
also refer to experience and the nature of the
case. 1t is a saying, that aexperience is the
best teacher" Experiences, indeed, is simply
development of divine truth in the history and
character of man. How many have learned by
woful experience, that they have been most
sadly mistaken in their use of alcoholic LIQUORS
as beverage Their own conscience and ex-
perience testify against their practice, and rem
der them conscious that God never designed
that it should be thus used; while others, who
pursue different course, fully realize, by happy
experience, that Temperance is true source of
happiness. Then, we may safely appeal to ex-
perience, and also the nature of the case.-
From the very nature and character of some
substances, It is impossible that they should be
designed for food OF beverages. Among them,
no do doubt, will be found--Alcohol. No man,
therefore, at the present day, need mistake as to
the truth in this matter.
1t is said by some, that total abstinence is
not temperance" but that depends entirely
upon circumstances. III one sense it is tenn
Perance, in another it is not, according to the
substances to which we refer, and the use we
make of Them
i l. There are variety Of articles which God
designed and declared to be for the sustenance
of man. Total abstinelce from these, of course
is not temperance. A man may be as intem-
perate in totally abstaining from that which
was designed and is necessary to his. support
and happiness, as he would be in its excessive
indulgence because God never designed he
should thus abstain; otherwise they would not
have been given. Another reason is the evil
influence such a course Of conduct has upon the
human system, in destroying its functions ant
bringing it to premature grave. suclgis the
case with those who abstain from, proper nour
ishment, timely rest and comfortable clothing
also, fanatics, whether religious, fashionable, O
a miscrly character. Temperance is the mod
crate or right use oflthese things: while ex
/ cess, or wrong use in either way, is intemper
. ance
!, 2. There are many things which were pro
! hably designed to be used for medicines an,
other purposes, at least they are found to prov
e beneficial when thus used but were evidentl,
: not designed for the sustenance of man How
. many poisonous substances, which, if used a
,f food Or drink, instead s'f sustaining life, woul
= soon destroy it. Will any one say, the mod
4 crate use of these things as such, is temper
: ancea Certainly nosi-but total abstinence
d the true part of temperance. Many Of shes
substances prove very beneficial as medicines
j in averting or destroying disease. III this r.
= spect the moderate use would be tempe
ance, and their excessive indulgence inten
perance. There is, to doubt, vast deal
, this kind Of ofintempeslnce at the present da,
Il Thousands are daily drugging themselves to q
! untinnely grave. Many are thus induced to al
as| alcoholic liquors, until the appetite Is forms
and hey fill a drunkprd's grave. Hut the
: are Vast numbers who are laboring under st