Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1858-07-14
ORIGINAL PAPERS,
For the Spirit Of the Age
THE ABSTINENCE REFORMATION
DY sCRUTAToR.-No. ..

ny sCRUTAToR.-No. o.
There is no better evidence recognized
in courts OF Justice, than when the accused
acknowledge their own guilt. Such evil
dence is considered conclusive, inasmuch
as there can be no inducement for a person
TO bear false witness against himself. The
very idea of an individual testifying to
falsehood which could but rebound to his
own disadvantage, is eminently preposte-
rous, and sanity not to be attributed to
mind evolving such an absurdity.
Now, il drug medication is not greater
curse than blessing, how can its authorita-
tive exponents voluntarily testify to its con-
domination? What can be the nducement
for such testimony, if false | say with
emphasis, l0hat can be the inducements when
even the living support of the tcstifers is
dependent upon the practice which it con-
demns There can be none and there
fore those Alopathic physicians who have
testified TO the absurdity of drug-mcdica-
ton, did so, not falsely, for selfish purpo-
ses, but as they were guided by reason, and
governed by conscientiousness.
IT. then, it is wrong to do evil that good
may come; it it be wrong to cure the pen
atty due one evil deed by another trans
gression; and, if the standard Authors and
Professors OF the Drug Schools are entitled
to credit we arc bound 10y every ennobling
principle Of our nature to condemn the
practice of physc as an unprecedented
curse. How then can it redeem the race
from the sin Of physiological transgressionl
1t cannot, and it is consummate foolshness
to depend upon it. We might as well en-
pect his Internal Majesty to restore the
race spiritually, as to think drug-medica-
tion competent to restore it physicalIy.-l
Both are preposterous in the extreme, and
If no other help remains for our physical
salvation, we may cXclaim with truth in
the physical, as in the spiritual life : "The
harvest is past, the summer is ended, and
we are not saved" Lost we are to every
purpose, unless rescue comes speedily; for
less than half the number of wears from
David to ourselves, in future, will precipi-
tate the race into the nothingness of cx-
tinction.
Now, whether the reasoning advanced
be correct or not, and whether or not the
testimony of the standard Authors and
Professors of the Schools be reliable, it does
not in the least affect the issue. AH must
acknowledge the great depravity of the hui
man family, and that medical science has
not been enabled to meet the wants of the
people: the majority Of the race still con-
tinue to die in infancy, and the residue suf,
fer disease and gohencc to their long home,
prematurely.
But, if medical science has been ineff
cient in its wanted mission if, instead o.
being blessing it has been curse what
is the proper remedy for mans physica
depravi.y! Or is there no balm in GilCad
Undoubtedly there is. Well what is it
II is IN obedience TO all Gods laws anC
nothing short of this can possibly secure
mans wel-being in either time or eternity
Our republic may have the best laws cnac
ted that any commonwealth can have
yet, if they are not obeyed, the people vii
suffer for their transgrcssions and in tho
ratio that they arc stringent in their na
turc, and executed promptly, will the trans
gressor be sure to suffer severely. Suppo
sing, for instance, that death be the penalty
for every violation of law, and that th
people continue to transgress, would there
not be great destruction Undoubtedll
there would. But, on the other hand, sup
posing there should be no transgression
then II is evident there would be no de
struction.
SO in regard to the spiritual and physi
cal laws of our being in the ratio tha
their obedience renders Us superlativel
happy, does their transgresson render II
miserable. In order, therefore, to max
the race good and happy, and redeem
from sickness and disease, as well as thei
legitimate consequences, we must get til
people to obey these laws; and the fir,
thing necessary in order to the accomplish
ment of this, is the education of the peopl,
for without they have knowledge of tn
existence of these laws, they can have i
knowledge of their transgression an
without knowledge of their transgressio
they can have no just conception of the
penalties. 1t is because the world has ev
been ignorant of the laws of life and healt
that it looks upon disease as a special 60
send. Knowing nothing of law, it kno,
no transgression and knowing no tran
gression, it cannot conceive that sickne
is penalty fcg transgression.
Now how is the world to be enlighten
in regard to this matterl In order th
the people may learn to know themsely
Alright, and the relation they sustain
every thing else, it is necessary that tn
be taught; and WHO'S there to teach the
Where are our preachers to come from W
shall proclaim fearlessly the gospel of pf
sical salvation to a physically sin-sick a
perishing world rightly dividing the We
Of truth, and giving unto each one his p
tion in due season We have alrea