Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-11-16

ority of Us, if not actually professors of re-
igion, have been trained under religious
have been taught to regard
he church as the great instrument of sal
'ation. There are few among US who
would not prefer that our Order should go
lown forever, before it should bring detri-
nent to the institutions of God, or do aught
o mar the glorious plan of redemption.
What, then, is the Temperance Society?
claim it to be a human contrivance for
The benefit of those who will not submit to
the yoke of the Gospel. But while human,
| hope it has been aided by Providence,
both in its foundations and in its opera
tons; that it has accomplished good in the
case of thousands, is evident to all. That
this good to some has been but brief, has
been followed by return Of, and in some
cases, by an accumulation of evils, is due
less to US than to those without. That
this Society has detracted from the house
of God and of His holy religion, which SO
many of US espoHse, is only imagined by
our christian brethren who stand aloof;
that this human institution has been an in
strument under the blessing of Providence,
for placing many within reach of the Cos
pei, if true, is not fault.
| believe indeed, that the Temperance
movement has done good to society. |
learn from the more aged, that great
change has taken place in the fashionable
and free use of ardent spirits as mark of
hospitality. am convinced that drunk
enness is more disreputable than it was ten
or twenty years ago, and that the frowns
of society have driven it back into those
recesses where it should always be hidden.
But in asking cooperation, we point
chiefly to the inebriate and his family,
whose condition under Providence has
been much improved and to irreligious
youths who have been arrested in their
first steps to dissipation ; we point to those
who have joined our Order, and have ad-
hered to our principles. If it could even
be proved that those who reject our over
lures, fare worse than they did before, the
benefits of our society might still be real
and our principles correct.
= If intemperance were mere sin like the
/ omission of duties which we owe to God
+. then, we might doubt the propriety Cf in
: reference, either from the legislature, o.
G from voluntary associations. But it is also
:, a great temporal evil. When men MAKE
t use of the means which nature and reason
: point out as calculated to promote thei
temporal happiness, God does usually en-
t, able them to become happy. How man,
S thousands are there who thus pass lives Q
Il respectability, rendering their families com
o Portable, and society prosperous. There
'f fore, the efforts of sinners are proper, to re
e lieve themselves from intemperance, as tn
d source of sickness and pain, of povert
D and disgrace, of domestic grief and socia
misery. And the christian has the righ
Ie to unite with them in such efforts. To tn
ID Incorporate professor of religion we woul
lie say, sir, you need not take "pledge fror
G. man; your VOW to God should keep 20
m from an indulgence, which, in your cas-
- is great temptation" If he should tax
v the pledge, not as higher obligation, bl
on as mere excuse to those christia
&C brethren, who in spite of his infrmit
e. would still ask him to drink; do not So
al that would blame him. But the societ
do was established for the temporal welfare
e; the wording, And to him, if intempc
to ate, we can honestly say, "Sir, if you ha'
- determined to destroy your sou, still ado
is, principles of total abstinence, and by Il
at blessing of Providence whom you do n
ut recognize, you will become more usct
ot and your family more happy"
* | know temporal interests are small col
er- pared with eternal, and that, hereafter,
nd will make little difference with lost being
whether, in this world, they wallowed il
asst mire, or reclined nightly on a couch
ID. down. But the drunkard has friends sol
ly, of whom are servants of Christ, and
lat feel for their happiness and for his. | ha
nj no confidence in that charity which 10:
M sight, not almost, but altogether, of the
&c, fairs of time. St. John says, "He that Il
cnt eth not his brother whom he hath se
it, how can he love God whom he hs
&c, not soen?" So, how can we be prope
ent concerned for the eternal but future w
at of our fellows, if we do not care for th'
ig- which are suffered before our very eyes
re- For my part, am Son of Temperan
rot because, by being such, l do no less
ho the welfare of men in eternity, and, as
think, little more for their welfare
gn time.
ent 1t will thus be seen that the Temperar
or Society proceeds on secondary principl
lcr She is not authorized to move men by Il
m for God, to preach temperance as CHI
lly, tian virtue, to promise the rewards of s
ing vation. Yetithas happened, oftimes, t
use men have joined the Society first, and
has church afterwards. And, consequently
hey has been called by many an aid to
the church. Is this infdelity? Is it presur
ren, ton Human agencies arc oftentimesc
by ployed by the Almighty to advance
but church, and to bring men within her in
, as encc. The sinful parent teaches his cl
the to utter feryent prayer. The none,
mere moral;sts, often sends forth missc
op- rics to convert the heather. The agg
are sions of nation may open field for
ton propagation of christianity. Schools
oci- Colleges are human institutions. I
'dy; are established by the combined ait
Gus. christians and sinners. Both are emp
S. ed in the work of instruction and gov
God, ance. Both are admitted to their enc
iety, The legislature, actuated entirely by
aid, tivcs of temporal expediency, is called
I'd of on to render them more efficient. No
ID 1t they are not mere expediences of tim
den which the church thinks proper inco
he IL Al Al IL