Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-07-21

ford mutual assistance in case of sickness and to
elevate their character as men," And to secure
this end, they "pledge themselves not to make,
buy, sell, or use as beverage any intoxicating
liquors" The great end then of this organiza
ton is not the conversion Of sinners-not to point
men the way to Heaven and to fit them for q resi-
dence therefor these high purposes, the Church
was instituted-but it is the suppression of inten-
perance. The object which they have in view, is
to make Total Abstinence university prevalent,
that they and their children may lead quiet and
peaceable lives be able to live soberly and right
eously-secure against all the evil growing out of
the use Of strong drink. This is the end which
the Sons have in view, and it is the only end one
PROFESSIONALLY praiseworthy in itself and to be
approved by every Christian and by every patriot
As far as the object is concerned which they have
in view, as an organization, approve of it, and
am with them heart and hand.
But the end may be desirable, and get the
means used to secure it may not be proper in
themselves. We reject the doctrine, that the end
sanctfes the means. Let US examine what the
means are by which the Sons endeavor to accom-
plish the end they have in view. As far as has
come to my knowledge, they use the same means
pledged to Total Abstinence. They endeavor to
Danish it from the land as the only security to
themselves and others. Not by physical force, but
by moral and intellectual influence, spreading
the light of truth abroad by the press by speech
es, presenting examples Of sobriety, pointing out
the evils of intoxicating drink on man, individual
ly and collectively, physically, mentally, morally,
thus prevailing on many to abandon forever the
perncious beverage, and as evidence of the deter
mination, to sign the pledge.
But, in the use Of means, the largest liberty is
allowed to individuals in their private capacity
Each is permitted to follow his own course, provi-
ded he keep in view the great end to be attained,
and labor for it efficiently. If he has riches, he
must not invest them in strong drink. Ifa well.
stored mind, he must draw on its rich treasures
to build up the cause of Temperance. If he have
interest at the court Of Heaven and can avail by
the prayer of Faith, he must use it for his own
security, to make esuccessful every effort, and so
ensure to the cause a lasting triumph. Such are
the means used openly and in view of the world.
They are all proper in themselves and cannot be
gainsayed. Looking at the end to be attained,
they are emphatically most appropriate And they
only are appropriate. write it adVisedly. AT
ter looking at remedies devised to prevent intem-
perance, as far as has come to my knowledge,
from the beginning, see none which furnished a
perfect safeguard, because none included Total
Abstinence. But looking at the means now pro.
posed and now used-ncluding the pledge-in
their adaptation to Danish intemperance from the
world, and in their practical operation for many
years, am compelled to say the means are no,
only appropriate, but that they alone only are such
Total Abstinence as q remedy against intemper.
ance, may be considered as the product Of Reli.
gion-the effect of its light and purity. 1t con.
tains the very essence of Bible principles and
clearly points out our duty as it regards intoxica-
ting drinks. Even the possession of true piety
did not keep men from occasional ntoxication,
80 long as they allowed themselves habitually to
use strong drink. This is proved both from Scrip;
ture and observation. Not to their final eIclu.
sion from Heaven, but to be followed by sore re-
pentance, humiliation of soul and deep abssement,
and a renewed application to the blood Of spriuk-
ling. 1t is true in their case, when this sin abound
ed, grace did much more abound. But it is not
proper for US to say, because such were received
in the days Of ignorance, now, when we have
more light, let US indulge in this sin that grace
may abonnd. The times Of this ignorance God
minked at, but now commandeth all men every
where to repent. Under the old system of drink
liz, one of two things was necessary for the well
heng of the pious. Either large measures of grace
must be given 70 bring them to repentance for oc-
casional indulgence, or standing miracle must
be in operation to counteract the legitimate effect
Of drink on men but partially sanct6ed. But a
wise Providence has given US a remedy in the
Pledge, which, when strictly observed, will Sc.
cure the christian against the agones Of penitence
for indulgence in drink, and the impenitent from
the indiscribabe woes Of drunkards life and a
drunkards death. 1 approve, therefore, of the
means used by the Sons for the attainment Of the
great end they have in view. My reason sanctions
them. They have stood the test of experience.
They are approved by the letter and spirit of the
oracles Of God
But many find difficulty which keeps then
from cooperating with the Sons. in the fact thai
they have secrets-trausact business with CLOSED
doors, SC. confess that different arrangement
would be 'more agreeable to my views and feel
ings. I have strong prejudces against mere
forms and ceremonies. But the point to be deci
ded is not about the propriety or improperly Of
these things, but do they present obstacles suthci
eutly great to exclude me from working with the
Order. After careful exsminatian, think they
do not, for the following reasons:
1st. Those are not used directly as means for
promoting Temperance, but indirectly, as they
are deemed necessary for the permanent main
tenance of the Order. Other Societies have sprung
up, fourished and died, thus endangering the
cause of Temperance. 1t was desirable to pro-
vide against such contingency, and if possible,
organize Society which would be in its existence
commensurate with the evil to be overcome. It
was for this purpose, no doubt, that the peculiar
tiles which distinguish the Sons of Temperance
and which were objected to by many, were fixed
upon and arc now retained. Not as means for the
suppression Of Intemperance, but as appeudages
needed to perpetuate the organization. Viewing
them in this light, I see no reason why I should
refrain from cooperating with then.
I'd. Secrecy, as connected with the Sons, has
been greatly magnifed. 1t is really small af-
fair as an objection. Every college in the land
even those which are denominational-have secret
societies connected with them and every student
and all the Professors, and the educated men Of
the country generally, belong to them, and some
probably to half dozen, and yet not a word is
said against them. These are secret societies
precisely in the same sense that the Sons are
"In object not in kind, the difference lies" The
object of the one is to advance Literature and
Science, that of the other to advance the cause Of
Total Abstinence. Why such discrimination 1t
can only be accounted for on thesupposition that
prejudice is the source of objection in this case,
or opposition to the cause advocated by the Sons.
In keeping secret, there can be nothing wrong
necessarily. 1t depends very much on the nature
of the thing concealed, and the circumstances
connected with it. It would be for the good Of
society if many things now spread abroad could
have been concealed in the recess of the heart.
Every one has secrets, or should have; every
family, every society, and why may not the Sons :?
What should be divulged and what not, is matter
of expediency which each must determine for
themselves. In my estimation, they may decide
wrong, yet it is their prerogatve to judge. 1t is
also the right of all societies to soy whether their
deliberations shall be before the public or with
closed DOORS In the exercise of this right they
may err, but they must determine for themselves
:, lam ~ oil tLn nircum stances The Senate of