Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1859-05-12
For the Yo,kville Enquirer.
THE PLEDGE.

"We pledge ourselves that zoe tviN mol use as a
beverage, make or traffic in Intoxicating drinks"
Some say it is wrong to sign pledge binding
to total abstinence. This was very common OBJ
lection when the subject Of temperance was first
apitated. But it is not said in Wharf.-The sin con-
sists. If any, it must be sin of omission, for
we pledge ourselves not to drink, sell or make any
thing which intoxicates; and unless it can be
made apparent that it is a duty to use ardent
spirits as drink, it cannot be sin to abstain !;
and of course, no sin to sign pledge. Looking
at all the evils growing out Of the habtua1 use Of
Alcohol, may not form apurpose to abstain from
its use? You admit this. If be allowed to
form such purpose it cannot be wrong to put it
on paper and append my name to it, and if others
see and feel as do, they may add their names
ALSO Thus q Society, or Division, or whatever
name you may give it, is formed.
But it is said "by signing the pledge, we bind
ourselves to the performance Of duty which 9th
erwise would not be obligatory" If understand
the matter the obligation totally to abstain is not
created by signing the pledge. Signing the pledge
is but o recognition Of the obligaton-an acknowl-
edgement of the binding nature Of the duty, and
adeclaration to all of my purpose to act according
ly The obligation existed and was felt prior to
the signature and grew out of other considerations
I afSx nv name to note of hand-the obligation
to paw existed before, and signing is the effect, and
not the cause Of sense of obligation and an
honest man feels bound to pay the debtnote or NO
note.
The evils growing out Of the habitual use of
strong drink are, to most men, as manifest as the
light of day. The prosperity Of our country re-
quire. their removal. They arethe greatest curse
which rests on the church. Indeed, no one form
of evil is so destructive to human happiness gath
ering in its dark folds a that is noble and praise
worthy in man-body, mind and soul. Knowing
this, men feel that they accountable to the God
who made them, for their course under the cir
cumstances. They see also that the remedy pre-
sented in the pledge is perfectly adequate for the
removal of this great evil-that it is simple IN IT,
self -practical-within the reach of all classes
costs nothing, and when carried out will etfectual.
" rid the world of intemperance and oil its atten-
dant evils Hence the obligation to the duty Of to-
tai abstinence If strong drink blast the brightest
earthly prospects-defaces the besuty of the
church and casts the darkness of despair over the
grave, will drink no longer and proclaim to
others, and as an evidence of my determination,
sign the pledge. Now who is wrong? The man
who thus acts or the man who having the same
light, refuses to aid in staying the progress Of this
evil! Evidently, the duty of total abstinence can
meyer be set aside by refusing to adopt the pledge.
Others refuse to sign the pledge because they
see many breaking over it and "they fear they
will not be able to keep it." If this be correct
principle of action, then can never pledge our
selves to anything good or praiseworthy-- we
might tsil in tho performance In taot We should