Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-07-08
For the Yorkville Enquirer.

Is snow the drinkers part"
TEMPERANCE.
For the Yorkville Enquirer.
"cLA1ms OF THE TEMPERANCE CAUSE
UPON THE MINISTRY"
Mr.. Editor From a sermon Of Rev. MI. EDDY,
under the above caption, and from tho text as be-
low, the following extracts are given. or myself
I have nothing to say, but choose to let a Minister
speak to and of his brethren in the Ministry
Mortals will differ, yet the truth is still m
where. POLEMON.
"And AS he reasoned of Righteousness, temperance,
and Judgment to come Felix tremOled'-A''s
XIV. 25.
1.-THE apostle Paul has frequently been referred
to a. a model of ministerial fidelity. Although
his entire history abounds with illustrations OF
his iuhe1ible integrity in fulfilling his difficult mis-
sion. I know Of no example more striking than
the incident with which the text is connected
While loaded with irons for his adherence to the
truth, he was sent for by Felix. the procurator OF
Judea. to give him and his equally infamous wife
some account of the Christian religion. Paul
oheyed the summons and not only demonstrated
the divinity of his mission, but spoke so faithfully
that he left Felix, at whose nod, doubtless, thous-
apds had trembled, writing under the cutting
convictions of Gods truth, and shivering like o
guilty culprit in the hands Of the executioner.
. ..His fidelity is seen in his consenting to preach
at all under such unpropitious circumstances-in
assuming the right to sslectthe theme OF discourse'
and present O practical sermon to do them good,
rather than a historical or doctrinal dissertation
70 crafty their curiosity-in choosing 9 subject
exactly adapted to the necessities Of bis hearers,
and vet discussing it 80 prudently as to disarm
them of all occasion for hostility against himself.
His faithfulness is also seen in the manner as well
az matter Of his preaching. He reasoned. His eff
fort was neither q Howery defamation, nor q bois-
ferrous exhortation but doubtless, like all of his
other productions, q clear, logical EXPOSITION, as
we'll as forcible application of divine truth. But
the GROWING illustration Of Paurs fidelity is the
effect which his reasoning produced. Had it been
stated that, as the apostle reasoned, Felix appear
ed highly delighted, we should have been led to
suspect that the preacher had ingloriously betrsy-
ed his trust-that, to save his life, he had for once
sacrificed his integrity, and gilded over the severe
and repulsive features of Christianity to crafty
his guilty hearers, and keep them at ease in their
sins. But no; we hear no praises Of the hue
preaching, no hosannas to the eloquent speaker;
we hear. however, Of that which tells more in IA
yor of the power Of the apostle than all the encom-
iums that were evel lavished upon a Demosthenes
or O Cicero-"Felix trembled!"
at would be interesting, did my limits permit,
to enlarge upon the fruitful topics just stated but
l have barely alluded to them as an appropriate
introduction to the subject assigned me, namely,
the peculiar duties ofgospel ministers this juno
ture of the temperance cause.
~ propose to show, first. that apostolic .fdehty
on The part of The ministry is the great trant OF the
times, to secure the complete triumph Of the cause
of temperance =; and then make a few suggestions
in relation to suitable practical manifestations Of
ministerial zeal in behalf Of this enterprise at the
present crisis.
..In discussing the first proposition, my aim is
to show, not merely that this cause IS one winch
demands the sympathy and active cooperation 81
preachers in common with other classes OF the
community, but that much greater zeal, more
rioorous effort is demanded Of them than from
those who are in any other department OF society.
Il is to be feared that not o few Of the clergy OF
onr land, even in these times, have no DEFINITE IDEA
of special responsibility in this matter. lconfess
that I am embarrassed with apprehension that
there are some among US who consider temperance
as having so remote a bearing upon the great OBJ
iect for which the ministry was instituted, thatit
has become so thresdbare, 80 with
politics, or is so delicate, Insignificant, or imprac-
ticable, that they scarcely can afford to devote q
single hour to the inquiry whether special enort
is or is not required at their hands. In urging the
particular claims Of the temperance cause upon
the ministry, I begin with the observation: -
~. That as the cause Of temperance is the
cause of suffering humanity, it is reasonable 70
expect that the warmest sympathies OF the clergy
will be enlisted in its behalf. :,
.In the inimitable parable Of the man that fell
among thieves, the lesson is clearly taught that IN
difference 10 human degradation and suffering, which
is unnatural and inexcusable if manifested in
any class of men whatever, is shockingy ,neonss-
tent. nay, abominabLe, If exhibited ~ Prcfessed MN
lister, of religion. The public expectation is not
only reasonable but i~ntu't'Ue, that IN epeTymtng
pertaining especially TO the moral aDeyare Of our race
the ministry wiH take the lead; and nothing ex-
poses religion to greater reproach than the specta.
Gle of q representative of Him who "came to heal
the broken. hearted and to seek and save the lost"
mauifesting opposition, or eveh indifference, TO
any cause Intimately identified with the happiness
of his fellowmen. If human SORROWS, then how
ever limited, have special claim upon minister
ial sympathy, how intensely should We feel in
view of the vast multitude who are unutteraoiy
suffering at this moment from the immediate or
remote effects Of the vice Of intemperance? l hsye'
no heart to write, nor is 1t necessary to detain
nv readers with the narration OF the SAD details
of runs doings. Indeed, l have no language to
describe tne MISERY, efon AZ
which is legitimately traceable to this wee. l
have no measure by which I can gauget the linen
sions of this enormous evil. The fact is, the sea
Of liquid fire rolling around us has never been fat1-
omed, its circumference has never been explored.
Without attempting to lift the vail to see now TINS
..siu kills beyond the tomb" " I utter q mere trulsm
when | saw that the use Of intoxicating drinks Is
the occasion Of more pecuniary embarrassment,
and physical and mental suffering, than are pro.
duced 6y any other instrumentality, If not by all
others out together. This we all believe; but do.
we. brethren, act consistently with such convic-
tionf Is it reasonable that the universal prevail
ence of this scourge, and the very frequency
with which scenes of b~arbarity and wretchedness
are thus produced, should blunt our moral sensi-
bility, aud tend to make rs less instead OF more
vigilant and energetic in attempting its removal!
On the contrary, shonld not our zeal be commen-
surate with the powerful adversary against winch
We are called upon to contend?
20 Special fidelity to the temperance cause IS
demanded OF the Christisn minister. because It Is
na6sSf special 9Hsiaas BY toe great Head Of ts'