Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-10-16
For the Yarkrille Enquirer.
FINAL REPLY TO "CITIZEN.'

FINAL REpIyf TO "ClIlLENs'
Grace, as it relates to God, in its definition, is
'his free favor and love" But the inquiry which
concerns us is, has God in his wisdom and good
ness, bestowed His grace in any degree on all men?
To answer this inquiry, we now beg leave, in adj
dition to the authorities heretofore addTccd, to
refer to. that of Backs Theological D;ctionary.-
'Dirncs," says this author, ''havc distinguished
Grace into common or general, special or particu-
lar. Common grace, if it may be so called, is
what al men llayo; as the light of nature and
reason, convictions of conscience &c." This COM
mon grace is made still more explicit in the Pres
bytcrian Confession of Fai;h-'Ctizen's' own
cherished creed. This authority asserts that the
':not elected even ''Inny have somc common op-
erations of the Spirit" And We know from the
words of Christ himself, that these common ope
rations may extend so far as to enable u man to
receive the Word of Salvation ''with joy" and
such may be its influence, that he 'durcth for
while - but ':whcn tribu,ation or persecution
ariscth because of the word, by and by he is Of
fendci"-gives up the good way, and returns to
folly and sin. This may so occur rs well with the
Son of Temperance, as with the professor of re-
ligion. The Sons too have their stony ground
adherents. Now it is surely not expected of us
or any man to make known the precise extent of
the influence Of this common grace, Or mark the
limits Of these common operations Of the Spirit
or specify where this spiritual power ends, and
-. toll hnievp
however that man, by nature, is nota devil. The
conviction is strong with us, that there have been
hcathens, who lived before the PRONUNCIATION of
the Mosaic law--many, who lived after the gospel
dispensation-a multitude Of unregenerate men
of every age, and of every degree Of opportunity
of religious light and knowledge, who, guided
alone by this common grace of God bestowed on
all men, and influenced by the common operations
of the Spirit, have been enabled to pursue unwa-
reringiy the path of Temperance and wouldhave
adorned the profession Of the Sons of Temperance
by a faithful adherence to the pledge which they
require. History and experience confirm the truth
of the fact If this be not true, we ourselves, and
almost every reader of this article ought to have
been confirmed drunkards. Are you drunkard,
dear reader? If so, does not your conscience
your cool and sober reason tell you, you should
be ashamed of your conduct The truth is, you
are ashamed, and every sober, sensible man knows
that you are ashamed You may deceive your
self perhaps, but you cannot deceive the intelli-
genee of the world around yOn.
Believing in the truth of the efollowing positions
extracted from Thomson's Christian Theism, and
that his deductions therefrom are logical and ire
futable :-"But the sense Of duty is something
more than the faculty Of choice. 1t claims the
right of choosing and of directing. 1t enioins or
forbids. 1t is judgment implying solemn OBJ
legation to Superior. Such is the natural feeling
of individuals, and the general decision OF man
kind. The moral constitution Of the mind pre-.
sents many distinct and beautiful indications of
the Moral Attributes of Him who called it into
being This is true, Notwithstanding the fallen
| estate of man. Ii it we're not so-if utter moral
ruin were the universal condition Of the race, all
religion Guld be impossible. The invisible things
of God would bo unseen in creation and revelation
| -
cerniug between right and wrong" "-belieVlng as
has been abundantly proved both from Revelation
and reason, that man has been naturally constitu-
ted, by the goodness and mercy of God and Tor
wise purposes, with some gracious influences and
common operations of the Spirt-and regarding
this grace and these common operations OF the
Spirit to he properly characterized as religious
principles, the conclusion is forced upon US, that
the great end of total abstinence from intoxca-
ting drink cannot be attained without certain
measure of religious principles; and this is to be
considered our answer to one portion Of the second
question of "Citizen."
1t is true, that Son of Temperance, like any
other man, may deny the influence Of these prin-
ciples He may draw all his motives and desires
from earth. He may never once raise his thoughts
and affections to Heaven in love and gratitude for