Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-05-18
For the Spirit of the Age.
The Church and the Temperance Reform.
BY INVALID,


1t is fact which cannot be disguised;
one, indeed, which every true friend of the
Temperance reform should learn to look
steadily in the face, that the evils of intem-
perance are fearfully upon the Increase
Whatever may be the indications of spas
modic reform in some detached. districts,
on the whole there never was time, when
the monster curse had so securely intrench-
ed itself in the strongholds Of society,"
Multitudes of our noblest youths are daily
being seduced FROM the paths of innocence
and safety, and dragged down through all
the horrors Of infamy and vice to drunk
ards grave and drunkard's hell.
Nor has the CORY monster forbore to lay
his desecrating touch upon the very affairs
Of the Most High. Disguised with the
flimsy but more attractive "mark of mod
crate drinking" he has insinuated himself
into the portals of the, sanctuary, and sur
rounded by his myrmidons has intrenched
himself him bsneah the shadows Of the sacred
only tolerate and exeuse, but earnestly de-
fend the moderate use Of the accursed poi
son. Aye, many who are recognized as
its very pillars, are not only moderate
drinkers, but are actually engaged in that
infamous traffic, which of all the curses un-
der which our country has ever groaned,
is the most desolating and remorseless-
one, which, than all others combined, has
plucked from the coronet of the church
more of its brightest Jewels.
Now it requires no long process of rea-
Z cooion IN oonvinoa IN obcorvaOt mind fh at
7 it is the worst of folies to attempt to eradi
s cate any evil from the world so long as it
: finds shelter in the domain Of the church.
: So long as the "salt of the earth" tolerate
indulgence to any extent, so long will the
inebriate justify his own excesses by boast
ing the sanction of the church.
Such being the fact, the path of duty is
h as clear as the monday. 1t admits of no
< temporizing, no choosing Of alternatives
t, The church should array itself side by side
y with the reform in behalf of total absti-
f. nence. It should bear emphatical, une.
y, quivocal testimony against moderate drink.
Or ing wherever it be found, whether in Oh
is out of its Jurisdiction. Let the ministry
IN assume their legitimate position as leaders
e; in the noble crusade let them denounc'
as moderate drinking as any other sin !; as al
Is, infraction that justiies and demands the
e. use of discipline. Let the ministry and th'
de laity unite their efforts and counsels; lie
re them hurl the dangerous and demoralizins
ed habit from their threshold, and with tota
be abstinence as their sentinel, let them here
k after forbid his finding shelter in the Churc!
IL of Christ. Then, and only then, when tn
nd church itself can claim exemption from tn
sin, can they fairly and fearlessly face tn
est world on the subject of Temperance
IL Then, when they have made tAeir ow
lat skirts spotless, can they consistently war
he mankind of the dangers Of intemperanc
on ard exhort the - "a, both by precept an
nd example, of thstnecessity of reformation.
he It is to me passing strange, that SO m'
of ny of our best and most efficient ministe
1ot should be contented to occupy the anon
ca alous, undecided position they do, in r
ar lation to the drinking customs of societ
rts. I cannot comprehend why they should
hat so severe and uncompromising in deuou
de- cling every other sin, whilst they scarce
by ever advert to shat of moderate drinkin
ess. and never but in such mild and cautio
hat language, as to leave the impression up
en- the world that they regard it as vice
pal lesser magnitude. 1t cannet be beau
nds they believe the temperance cause col
: it. plete or that there is nothing else to
and accomplished. 1t cannot be because tn
sub regard it as peculiarly moral and moi
his religious movement, and that to cooper;
lem with it would compromise the dignity
ces their holy office. 1t cannot be becal
ing they regard it as purely political engi
lere, designed merely to subserve political p
aom poses and claiming as its champions po
dir ical demagogues No, no, they are toe
HIM timately acquainted with its history {
un- objects for moment to be influenced
biect such false considerations. The only 81
spec ton of the enigma is that they are gui
astly by motives of policy and discretion an
very much suspect that the fear of in,
er of ring popular displeasure has screened
rtrai- dram drinker and the dram seller Fl
loy- many a merited 1ebuke.
cor l have ever thought that the Chris