Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-02-05

even crlpFleu, grew Win SiSautI laP'uity,
and threatened to devastate the fair soil Of
the human heart and sap the very founda-
tions of Christianity. 1t was introduced as
a favoriteand necessary guest, into the fami
ly circle, and permitted to poison the breath
of infant innocency with its virulent matter.
1t was used on almost all occasions, and for
almost all purposes: But since the introduc-
tion of Temperance Societies, and especially,
that of the Sons of Temperance, its influence
has been rapidly retrograding. The infu-
ence of these societies have extended to, and
rescued thousands whom the church could
never have reached. We therefore conclude
that there is necessity for this society. The
Church has a great work to perform in eVange-
Using the world, and needs all the assistance
possible; and as intemperance is one of the
greatest barriers to salvation, we believe
that the Church should labor with, and en-
courage every proper means that may be en-
ployed to suppress it.
Every one readily admits this, but you still
object to this society as proper means to
bring about this great end. Men argue that
we have no authority from the Bible for such
an organization, and, therefore, they oppose
it. Have we any authority from the Bible
for Tract Societies, Boards Of Publication,
and the various benevolent societies which
have been organized for the purpose of re-
lieving the suffering, iustructiug the ignorant
and elevating " degraded humanity ?"-
Though we find none of these spoken of in
that sacred Book, under these peculiar names
and do not find the laws and regulations by
which they are governed, written out acord
for arord, yet we believe that the doctrines
of that most sacred of all books authorizes
them, and the most scrupulous among us
would be slow to doubt their expediency.-
We argue, then, that if it authorizes these,
it also authorizes the one we advocate, as it
is truly benevolent society, having for its
object the suppression of vice and the good
of the race, 'swithout money and without
price," only so far as may be necessary to
defray its expenses and keep it in successful
operation. Away then with this crippled
objection.
We have slight objections, too, and prin-
cipally from those plain, unsophisticated, mat
ter-of-fact kind of men, to our simple, though
beautiful and attractive uniforms. We con-
slider this objection of very little importance
indeed, but, as we wish to satisfy all cavils,
we will give this passing notice. You say
that you can see no necessity for such uni
form. Admit that there is. no crying neces
sity, can you see no propriety in it? Had
we the time we might cite you to the various
vestments, slaves of office and badges and
colors of distinction used in the ancient Jew
ish Ceremonies, and to the "toga virilis" and
"imperial purple" of the Romans in attesta-
tion of their propriety. We read, in the
18th chapter of 1st Chronicles, of David
bringing "the ark of the Covenant from
Obed edom, where "he and all the Leyites
that bear the ark, were clothed in robes of
fine linen" and "David also, had upon him
an ephod of linen," which was kind of
girdle, that was brought from the back of
the neck over the two shoulders, and hanging
down in front was put across the stomach,
and carried round the waist and used as a
girdle to the tunic. There were two kinds
of ephod-one of plain linen and the other
embroidered, for the high priest. On the front
of these were two precious stones, on which
were engraved the names of the twelve tribes
of Israel. Every part of this uniform bears
q close resemblance to our regalia. We
might cite various other instances, where
vestments of various colors and patterns were
used to distinguish the different orders of
priests, &c. And was there no propriety in
these? Why is it that Ministers, even in
our day and generation, choose to wear white
cravats and sable vestments, if there be no
propriety in such things? 1t would be con-
sidered almost sacrilege for Minister to ap-
pear in the Pulpit clothed in white, and
much more so, if he were to appear in red,
or any other color apart from the one pecu-
liar to his office. His peculiar dress is his
regalia, and his Bible his badge of office.
Can we see NO propriety in the regalia of
the village .top and city dandy9 I think
we can. When we see young man promi-
nading the streets with kind of gobbler
gait, or lettering on the pavement, the most
prominent parts of whom are his nicely fin
ished cane, kid gloves, ''principe cigar
of peculiar twist, and cooked hat,
we are warned that he is a member Of the
order of coxcombs, minus brains, and had
better keep clear of him.
Can you, who have had the advantage of
College training, see no propriety in the
badges and regalia that distinguish the liter
ary societies? which, by the by, are more
strictly secret associations than that of the
Sons of Temperance.
Who would pretend to doubt the proprie-
ty of the dress and slaves of office worn and
used by our militia No one has ever
thought of objecting to these things, and why
then to the simple and beautiful uniform of
the Sons of Temperance You say it looks
too much like Free Masonry, and therefore
you object. The fact, that it resembles Free
Masonry in some of its external features,
does not constitute Free Masonry. 1t does
not follow, because man favors an ape that
he is therefore an ape, indeed. You may be
be assured, my friends, that this Order is not
one of Free Masonry. Though I was once
a member of this order of Temperance, for
nearly four years, yet know as little now