Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-07-29
For the Yorkville Enquirer.
wHYpRoEEssoRs OF RELIeIoN SHOULD PRAc.
TICE AND ADVOCATE TEMPERANCE.
no. ".

Because the effect of strong drink. when care
fully examined, is found to be adverse to the
growth Of personal piety. take it for granted
that the class which is addressed look on religion
as something more than the observance Of out
ward forms; that it exists in the man, a living
priuciple-operative and influential for good that
it is capable Of growth; and that, when matured,
the whole man will not be brought under its con-
trolling influence. That this greatobject may be
attained, is one reason why Christians are con-
tinued here. Of course, this object should be be-
fore the mind and Christians should labor diligent-
" to accomplish it. To this end, habitual drink
ing is a great hindrance, and consequently should
be discarded by every Christian.
Let us look at some facts. What are the ordin-
airy means appointed to promote the spiritual
good Of men? : You answer very properly, "the
Word, the Sacraments and Prayer" Now suppose
We supsradd to these the habit Of drinking-will
they be made thereby more effcacious? You
answer, no. What are some of the necessary &C
compartments Of piety, by which its presence and
growth are indicated Z I answer, knowledge
Penitence, Faith, Love, &c. Bringiu the agency OF
drink, and win it make the proof more complete
You say it will not. What are some ofthe effects
OF piety on man? It humbles him he feels his
spiritual poverty; thirsts after Righteousness;
distrustful of his own wisdom and strength he
looks to and rests upon the sinners Friend, and
values Him above all price. Such are the. effects
Of piety on men. Now let US see what will be the
legitimate effect on men Of strong drink: In i@Hen-
dency will il make them more humble? Meek and
poor in spirit! Distrusful of themselves? All
know it does not. The tendency is to make men,
In their own estimation, as wise as Solomon, as
strong Of Sampson and IS rich as Crosus. Such
persons become very much interested about reli.
eion and wish to talk about it in public places;
to find out what is meant by the mark set on
Cain to learn all about the witch Of Endor; or
what we are to understand by the objectionable
ain . to learn from a minister in the court yard
something about the way to heaven and have him
listen to their experience. Men. who have hahi-
tually discarded all forms Of family piety, have
been known, coming from an election and excited
by drink, to assemble their household for prayer
and to remember the party with which they were
acting and to pray that they might be successful!
Well did Solomon say, s'Wine is q mocker." 1t
mocks with the promise of health and gives disease
and death =; with riches and gives poverty: with
Religion and gives sin and guilt; promises Heaven
and leads to He'll persuades men that they are
qualified for all the duties Of piety. even to par
take Of the cup of the Lord while they habituallv
drink Of the cup of Devils: makes them to feel
that ethey are rich and increased with goods and
have need Of nothing hut know not that they are
wretcbed. and miserable and poor and blind and
naked" Now if such be the tendency Of strong
drink. in any degree. the effect on personal piety
must be most disastrous.
The testimony Of wicked men corrohorates all
this. Judging from their conduct: Fa man would
qualify himself for some great crime, the Bottle
is his companion that by its aid the voices OF
conscience may be husbed. and the Demon be
made strong within him. Under its influence he
becomes desperate, blind to danger and reckless
Of consequences. He is thus prepared for any
deed Of darkness. In this condition We can ex-
pect no progress in good. Every thing is inimica'.
He is deaf to every call. His heart is closed
against every influence for good. Go into q crowd
aud probably you can see, atany time. those Who'
to all human appearance, are lost and whose ruin
can be easily traced the practice Of drinking.-
Once they were respected and loved; were men,
bers Of the Church. From moderate drinking they
became druukards and now everything interesting
in the present and the future life has been sacri-
feed at the shrine of strong drink. And can pro-
fessors Of religion walk in their footsteps? Will
they advocate their practice? No. You, profess
sors, must set yourself against such evils. Stand
up and speak out! Look at your family and your
friends-they are in danger while the evils goes
free in our land. Look at your Church! How
many have been held back from its service! How
many have been excluded from its pale for the
love Of drink! You should not hesitate. The
road of duty is as plain as the day. clay aside
every weight "Deny yourself" Touch not
taste not. Take the side of safety. Eudeavor to
persuade others to follow your example. Combine
and unite together for this purpose. Persevere.
And if you do not live to see the fruits Of q glori-
Gus victory, you will enjoy the consciousness that
you are !sboring in a good cause one which must
ultimately prevail. TEMPERANCE.
From the Columbia Guardian.