The Camden weekly journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1853-1861, 1854-05-16
The Temperance Movement and the Clergy.

That temperance is en]olned IN all things by
tie charter of our religious faith is too we'll
known to be denied. But few omparatively of
the clergy of our land are active, devoted, en-
ergetic advocates Of temperance by an absti-
nence from all Intoxicating drinks. Temper
ance rarely forms the theme OF pul pit instruc-
tion The stationary pastors, and itinerant
ministers of the south, are not specially known
as the apostles of the temperance reform. And
yet, its success is necessary to the prevalence
of Bible truth.
The inebriate never comes under the inhu-
ence of the pulpit. He desecrates theSabbath
and teaches his household to follow his exam
pe The thousands Of grogshops Of this city,
and the mutitudes scattered all over the coun-
try. draw larger congregations than frequent
the church or the lecture room. The type of
morality of city, town, parish or state, is set
by their drinking houses if they abound and
are upheld BY the sanction of the law.
The licensed liquor traffic is hence greater
obstacle to the triumph of truth, than ndifer
encc prejudice, or open hostility Debasing
the intellect, unsettling the judgment and inaa.
ming the passions of men, it destroys all sense
of shame, feelings of responsibility or care for
the future.
Why do the clergy stand aloof from the
temperance reform? Why is not their voice
heard in tones of thunder, in winning expostu.
lation, in earnest entrcaty, at all times and on
all occasions, reproving, soliciting and urging
reform?
The land is filled with the woes of drunken
ness. No circle has immunity: no class is
exempt from its insidious wiIes: no intellect is
too lofty, no character is too pure to be beyond
danger. Is it not enough, that men greedy of
gain, and careful only for heaping silver and
gold together should be Indifferent, or virtual
supporters of the demon rum-but the minister
of the gospel must look coolIy on while his
fellow.men are slain, without giving note of
warning or buckling on his armor to meet this
foe of humanity, of happiness here and here
after! We appeal to you who minister in ho.
ly things near the sacred altar, to enter the ar
my of cold water men, not as mere common
soldiers, but as leaders in its battles. Is it
consistent to preach against the sins Of the day
and neglect this monster vice, which accom-.
plishes more temporal ruin and sends more
souls to eternal perdtion than all others uni.
ted?
Intemperance, while it blasts the physical
energies of man, destroys his moral suscepti-
bilities, and prepares him to 80 about dissent
mating vice broadcast in the community. Yet
who, from the sacred desk, denounces the rum
traffic? Who holds up the selling of ardent
spirits so that the seller shall be branded, like
Cain, with the mark of murder? Who throws
himself into the ranks of reform, SO as to car.
ry the moral influence Of his position and call
ing against the license system? Alas few
that preach the gospel.
We do not mean to insinuate that they are
opposed to the prevalence of temperance, or
do not acknowledge and mourn over the ruin
produced by the sale Of intoxicating drinks
but do not most of them feel that the cause of
temperance is not their special field Of labor:
that too great zeal for reform might destroy, or
at least injure their power for good? Do they
not look upon the temperance reform as rather
a political or social than religious movements
We grant that it is eminently social reform,
but it is one which lies also at the very foun-
dation of the progress Of true religion among
men. 1t is a cause peculiarly appropriate for
the active co operation of the clergy OF all
denominations-a common platform for all
those who labor to improve the condition of
suffering humanity, or turn back erring mortals
to happiness and truth. Let all lend their in
auence, their labor, their time, to the establish
ment of the great principle Of total abstinence
a principle which is the basis of patriotism and
the support of rclig gion.--,Southern Organ.
T,,p rup,col
Ter once visiting victim of his traffic on his
death-bed, said to him: "Do you remember
me?" "Yes," said the dying man, with start.
ling emphasis, 81 do remember you, and |
remember your shop, where | formed the habit
which has ruined me for this world and the
next; and when am dead, my beggared widow
and fatherless children will remember you.-
Yes, remember the time when resolved to
quit, it and you made me break my pledge, and
thus destroy my own peace and the happiness
of my family. Yes, have cause to remember
YOU"
There are thousands of parents who are FL
led with anguish by the desolations created by
the rumseller, who remember him. All over
the length and breadth of this fair land, the
rumseler, is remembered, and the very men,
ton of his name sends thrill through many
hearts. And yet there are those who apologize
for and defend the nefarious business in which
he is engaged.
KNIGHTS OF TEMPERANcH.-This is an or
ganization adjunct to that of the Sons of Tenn
perance, inasmuch as it receives its members
from the ranks of the Sons, and continues them
in membership only so long as their standing