Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1858-08-12
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For the YcEkYille Enquirer.

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For the Ycrkville Enquirer.
WHY PROFESSORS OF, RELIGION
CATE TEMPERANCE.
NO. ",
In this number I will advert to some of
the difficulties which are brought against the
cause of, Temperance. One is, that in
fringes on personal liberty. It was ia
vorite argument, with q pious elder for
habitual, drinking, "that he had fought for
liberty" The Liberty to, drink at pleasure
the fruit of our glorious revolution !! . Doubt
less, the 'inalienable rights" covered mere
than this, or many would not have, perseve-
red through seven. years war;, l. would
suppose that the precious legacy which was
purchased by the blood of our ancestors,
would be as safe with the adyoeatesof Tenn.
perance aswith any other class. Admit that
man has the liberty to drink, it does not
follow that he must exercise it. He has the
liberty Of expatriatiug himself; but very
good reason may occur to- his mind why he
should not exercise it. Now the friends of
Temperance do not wish to make slaves of
men, but offer to them reasons why they
should relinquish their liberty so far as tip
ling is copcerued. Paul had the liberty of
eating meat, but in view of the cifcumstan-
ces in which he was placed he relinquished
it. tt would be personally beneficial, but
it would probably beinjurious to others-he
will therefore "eat no flesh while the world
standeth." His liberty should never be
stumbling block to others This is the pro.
per practice. He possessed the liberty Of
eating This implied liberty to abstain,
which Paul does in view Of sufficient rea-
sons. So we should act with reference to
Intoxicating drinks If we are sure thatwe
have the liberty Of drinking-we may be
equally sure that it will be stumbling block
to others, and christian duty requires that
we abstain. But let us view it in another
light. If we possess This liberty, how often
should it be exercised? Once daily as some
have practiced i? Or thrice, or hourly as
others? Or whenever it can be obtained 2
But in carrying out our principles of liberty,
how much should we drink? Some say the
full of wine-glass others, the full Of q
tumbler, and even a quart! And this is
liberty. But you say The reason Of every
man, viii settle these matters. But unfor-
tunately, reason has very little to, do in such
things. 1t is appetite, which too often is
Unsuitable. Whatever privileges we may
possess, we have, no right to iuaiet serious
injury upon ourselves, much less upon others.
That the use of strong drink is attended
with untold evils, is evident to all, then /
will reEnquish my liberty in this, and drink
none as long as the world standeth. And
to any but drunkard, this will be but a
small sacrifice. Another objection. to Tenn
perance is "that the moderate use of strong
drink is source of enjoyment, and we should
not be required to relinquish it because 9th
ers abuse, it to their injury" This is ia
vorite argument for this as well as other prac-
ticesj which are disapprovedof by many, and
therefore merits attention. The pleasurable
emotions from stimulating drinks, is, unques-
tionably, serious obstacle in the way of
Temperance. But I am mistaken if the
pleasure is not greatly overrated. 1t is at
tended, at the time, with exuberating eff
fects, but these are shortlived, and are fol-
lowed by feelings of very different charac-
ter. Then we must take into view the emo
tions which arise when we look at the past,
and reflect on this act of indulgence. Put
ting all together, the sum of our enjoyment
will not be greatly augmented. In fact if
the misery from drink came first, and the
pleasure afterwards, men would shun the
practice as they would deadly serpent
But admit that the use of ardent spirits
gives pleasure, this is not good reason for
Indulgence. This is mere sensual pleasure,
but we are capable of higher enjoyments,
those which are intellectual and moral, or
spiritual. These are not necessarily sinful,
nor yet inconsistent with each other when
occupying their proper place. But should
we confne ourselves to one species of enjoy
meut to the exclusion of others, we do vio-
lence to our nature and diminish our happi.
ness; or if we seek pleasure from any source
which has tendency to destroy our relish
for those purer joys of which we are capable,
and to which we have access, then that course
should be condemned and abandoned, asats
war with our highest happiness. Or if this
pursuit be attended with imminent danger
to ourselves and others, then it should be
relinquished. Now the habitual use Of AL
cohol is liable to each of these charges
Tipplers are very apt tobe satisfied with this
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