Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-12-03
For the Iorkville Enquirer.
BETHEL PREsBYTERY.
MAGNOLIA.

! .Ncssrs. Editors THE action of Bethel Pres
bytery in 1845, as given in your last issue, deny
ing church-privileges to dstiers and retailers of
ardent spirits, was highly worthy of an intelli-
gent and faithful church judicatory, and eminent
ly becoming christian character and profession.
The author cf the procedure and each of its ad-
vocates, if still dweers on earth, have assuredly
an approving conscience; and by this 'manifesta-
tion of the truth, have commended themselves to
every (christian) mans conscience in the sight of
God"
True. it may be said by some to the Presbytery,
rs Christ said to the moral young man. "one thing
thou lackest that whilst the dstiller and re-
taller are excluded from the church, they who use
what the dstiller makes and the retailer supplies,
are retained in communion without censure-that,
speaking illustrativey the thief is punished, but
the receiver of the stolen goods, knowing them to
be stolen is held guiltless. This may be, likely,
the system flogic of the mass of mankind. HUI
man nature is prone to adopt the views most fa-
vorabe to self.indulgence and feshly appetite
But can such conclusion legitimately proceed from
the premises? Let us reason together.
If the Discipline of the Presbyterian church,
in the matter under consideration be in accord
ance with the word Of God, or, which is to the
same effect, if ''an offence is any thing in the
principles or practice of church member, which
is contrary to the word of God, or which, if it be
not in its own nature sinful, may tempt others
to sin, or mar their spiritual edifcaton," rs main
tanned by the Discipline; and if 'the distillery
and retail shop do tempt men to sin, and their
spiritual edifcation," as al!cdged by Presbytery,
how can any member of the Presbyterian church,
without offence, use as beverage that which it is
an offence to make or sell? If member be a.
menable to censure for distilling whiskey why is
he, who drinks it when distilled not censurable? !?
Can human ingenuity frame m answer, condemn
ing the former, and justifying the latter Techni-
caty may sometimes accomplish favorable re-
suit in an earthly court, but the christian knows,
call things are naked and opened unto the eyes Of
| him with whom we have to do" Can the consci-
ence of any reader arrive at any other conclu-
sion, than that there must be offence and sin in
buying and drinking, if iniquity attach to the
manufacturing and vending The consumer gives
aid and encouragement to the producer and traf-
fcker-is an accessory after the fact, and par
takes of the guilt. What then is duty!-noth-
ing less than an adoption of the total absti-
nence principle of PAUL. "If meat make my broth
er to Offend will eat no flesh while the world
standeth, lest I make my brother to offend."-
Shall this be done; or shall we rather adopt the
conduct of Ananias and sapphira-keep back part
of the price-a part of the obedience due our cre-
ator? The will of each is free to choose for him
self, and time is the period for the exercise Of
mans judgment; but after death, another judg-
mant holds The good and amiabe JAY, of Bath,
afirms: ''The man that doeh truth gives up him
self to his convictions, and follows them WHITTIER
soever they lead him, regardless Of Consequences
He may have little knowledge for the time, but he
conforms to it; for sincerity cannot consist ri the
omission Of any knovn duty, or the Indulgence Of
any known sin"
ERAJ, GERIZIM