Red Wing sentinel., 1859-05-07

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CHAPTERS ON TEMPERANCE.

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! CHAPTERS ON TEMPERANCE.
! ,,..f.,e..r., HuNSE1 ONE.
The present age is marked with
strong, and suspicious peculiarities.
One of them is, increasing numbers
Of people are disposed to inquire, will,
regard to every moral principle and
practice sis it rightf" 1t is less sat.
isfactory now than. in former times,
that a thing is pleasant, merely; that
it is popular, has been practiced along
time, by respectable men, or even by
good men; the question is and with
numbers increasing continually, g Il il
right?'','4 sa .as5 ov,j -Eaa
Another auspicious indication of the
present tine, is the standard Of right
and wrong with increasing numbers is
the bible. This has, by good men,
long been acknowledged, in theory, as
the only perfect moral standard. But
they are now, more than ever before,
applying it to practice. Not only are
they laboring with more vigor t., send
it to all nations and convey q know
ledge of its contents to all hearts; ;
but they are appealing to it, as the cri-
terion Of thought aud action; and are
endeavoring with new diligence to
bring every soul under its controlling
power. It is not decisive as it once
was, that thing is legal, according
to the human statute; or honorable in
human society; but the question is,
does it accord with the word of God,
as revealed in the bible? To the law
and the testimony; it they speak not
according to this word, increasing
numbers conclude there is no truth in
them. .,. .s
Another momentous indication of
the present time, aud one which takes
hold, with mighty grasp on the des-
TIMES of man, is, the number is increas-
ing who feel conscience bound, daily
to listen to the bible, as the voice Of
God speaking to them and with fer
vent supplication for the teachings of
his spirit, that they may understand
his will, and who when they do under
stand it, are not ashamed, to- do it.
The number is rapidly increasing,
who, when they learn, that the bible
condemns practice will renoupce it,
and who when they learn that it re.
quires an action, will attempt with the
spirit which the bible inculcates, to
perform it, whether other men do
this or not; and who will leave the
consequences to the divine disposal.
Man has deeper and more pervad'
ing conviction than ever before Of per.
sonal responsibility, in all situations,
for the character and tendency of his
actions to the retributions of eternity
The consequence is, it is becoming
more and more common, if y man wish
es to have good done, to do it himself
if \ man wishes to have a little GOOD
done, to do that, and if he, wishes tt
have a great good done, to do that, ani
to do it ,so,o. There is less disposition
THAN formerly, to depend on other peo
pie. and to nut off present duty to fn
ture time. Men are not s0,much afrai(
as they once were or ashamed, if need
tul, to 60 in the path Of duty alone
and whether others do it or, not, at
tempt to do good, as they have oppor
|? tunity, to all men. The feeblest ant
most obscure do not despair Of exert
. ing influence that shall be felt by al
people, to all ages. A striking devel
8 opment of these principles has beeI
s made in the Temperance Reformation
A vicious practice had long receive,
the sanction of legislation, and til
support Of the example Of nearly tn
. whole Christian world. But it wa
followed, as its natural and necessar
n results, by loss Of property, character
s life, and soul to an extent which mus
! fill every person, who comprehends i
with amazement. And the ques,io
\ was started, no doubt, by the Spirit {
y God, SIS it right" to continue q prat
y tice which produces such results; an
.r which, if continued, will perpetual
and increase them to all future ages?
,a| The bible was examined, and prov
r. dences observed; Divine teaching va
II sought, and the conviction was faster
,t ed on the mind, that the practice ".
not right, and that to prevent the evi
a which it produced, men must cease
.. lperpetuate the cause. And for Il
.n| purpose Of making known to our cou1
trymen especially, the reasons wi
At they should do this, Temperance S
y cieties have been formed, whose o
ject is, by diffusion Of information 81
hs the exertion of kind moral influenc
g to attempt with, the divine bles>in
20 procure such change of sentime
Is and practice with regard to intoxics
:. ing drinks, that intemperance sh'
" cease, aud temperance with all ito I
a9 tendant benefits to the body and q
ngI soul shall universally prevail.
-. s zsnepera'see, ~ viese cf thoss soI
~ haze formed these socieeiss e to mo
eruts aud proper uss cf things 6er
fcial and a6stin<''ce from thi''
hurVnk 1..'' a....f.s ...f's
Ardent spirits, being in its natu
I~o <1$