Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1854-07-13
Gbe @lasgotu Gimes,
For the Times
Modern Moral Reform"

=
knowing 10 what he refers exactly, cannot
say. He certainly made some rather queer
assertions about liquor sellers being the
agents Of the State, and told us the opin-
ions of certain learned Judges upon the con-
titutionality OF prohbitory law; but as TO
argument, l did not class any Of his re-
marks under that head.
attempted TO show the absurdty of his
position, that ''license laws" manufacture
drunkards, by explaining the iru' intent Of
the laws. But being satisfied with the
opinions Of certain Learned judges" that a
prohibiary law might be constitu'ionally
enacted, said nothing about it. Ny re-
marks were intended chiefly TO expose what
was, in my Judgment, the erroneous posi-
ton taken by certain modern moral re-
formers" and in friendly spirit show the
dangerous results Of it 10 my friend, Nv.
M. R." But he seems widely TO have mis-
taken my drift, although he styles it lee
ture on ministerial propriety." For how
the actions of Washington and Jefferson can
be introduced as criterion for ''ministerial
propriety," am at loss TO understand. -
They neither claimed to be moral teachers
.'sent of God" nor recommended, upon any
other ground than political erpediency, law
prohibiting the manufacture of liquor.
1t may be well TO define my meaning of
"Modern Moral Reform By moral re-
form, l mean one intended 10 be solely NOR
al, without reference TO its political bear
ing. l prefix the term 'modern" in con-
tradistinction 10 the method adopted in the
early history Of christianity, for the accom-
plishment of such reforms. The specimens
offered were what consider some of the
legitimate fruits Of the modern system, and
I fairly Judged that as the fruit was bitter
the tree must be unsound. | believe that
the modern system, SO far as it originates
in the church, is a spurious graft upon the
true vine Of christianity, and as such de-
serves the pruning knife. To avoid all un-
necessary understanding in future, l will
state concisely the propositions advanced in
my first article.
Any public appeal to the people of the
L. S.. by minister of the Gospel, to effect
the passage of any civil law, intended TO ex-
ercise coercive restraint upon the actions
Of any individuals, solely because they hinder
the progress of christianity, is, in my opin,
: ion, anti christian.
; "W. NJ. r." says: Paul preached and
wrote against idol1ry, though established
by Roman law, because it was great bar
rier to the success of Chrls,ianiy:-ergo
, ministers Of tic T. 6 may seek 10 cfcc. ;ht
pass &c Of clvil law to remove iuiemper
= ance, because i, is great Obstacle to tie
t progress o. christianity. This is precisely
-. the position assumed by the abolition clergy
. in the north. They say that the fugtiv,
slave law nay, the very existence Of slave
ry itself, is a strong barrier to the progres,
of christianity, and therefore ought 10 b.
i removed! 'Tis This principle that has ac
; luatcd the Catholic Church in past ages t,
: suppress every other church organization
e save their own. This principle nigh
e with equal propriety urge the church to TIN
K fo'oihe suppression OF every sentiment
word or action, which might be couceive'
to retard the success Of christianity il on
y own country, and in the end utterly destrc,
$ the freedom OF the press. with every othe
: civil and religious liberty that we possess
e Power is all that the! require.
But will attempt 10 show that ST. Paul
- upon whom w. NJ. R." relies for his sup
. rort, taught by his example no such doc
1t trine. Let rs examine the acts and circun
r. stances Of Nv. NJ. R." and ST. Paul, an
n see what analogy there is between them.
n In the U. s. 1.-THE People" constitutes til
d civil power. The officers OF government
e are but the instruments OF their will TIL
n people with us, then, politically hold tn
I same position that did the Caesars and thei
! appointed officers maintain in the Roma
i, Government. The Will of each was abso
s lutte. Until this fact is kept before III
W mind, it is impossible clearly TO interpr'
s. the policy of Christ and his apostles.
ra In reference to the Jews more pariicr
larly, it must be remembered that they wer
IN the chosen people OF God. He had give
them their law through Moses, and appon
g ed the succession of their rulers. But t
he disobedience they were suffered TO be IT
m m duced under the Roman Governmen
though still allowed for the most part
conform to the ''law and the propheIs."-
cd For Christ and his apostles, then, to r
buse them FOR their detection from the NJ