The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-12-28

and duties. 1t seems 10 me they have not got
hold Of "the root Of tho matter" The drift Of
the temperance movement in our village now
seems to be 10 encourage public opinion that
shall call for the enactment by our Legislature,
of law making IT a crime to manufacture tho
aeeursed article, and this is called going to the
root of the matter. ~
What wonderful habit we have Of laying
blame 70 the laws Of our State, for not accom-
plishing that which we as individuals are at
perfect liberty TO do for ourselves IL wo only
will, but il is so convenient TO blame some one
else. Thousands Of years ago mother Eve said,
'"the serpent gave it me, and Ibid eat"-but who
for a moment thinks our maternal relative gave
sensible answer or excuse? 1t is very easy
matter to get up an indignation meeting and'do
wonderful things and'it has become very popu-
lar to abuse our laws and our rulers, and every
body excepting MYSELF.
OF what use is a law on our statute book to
make it criminal to supply, when we disregard
the law Of God that makes 1t criminal to de-
mandl Do away with the demand for any ar
ticle and the supply will cease. That is the
root oftho NATTER and this VIC must do ourselves.
Laws will not do IL for u.s. 1t is to realize our
accountability to God, not laws on our statute
book, that will control our lives; we may adapt
ourselves to q form forthe moment, but the right
spirit is not in it.
Why Is II that Sabbath after Sabbath the mere
outward forms Of morality, be they never SO
strictly Observed, are so severely denounced?-
However kind, charitable, honest, sober or be-
nevolent man may be, it shall avail him moth
ing, Gle is condemned already"
We have yot to know of more than one habit
ual drunkard that has reformed and become a
sober man without nm acknowledgement of his
obligation to his Master as thcwcll spring Of his
life.
We sec those who have received the injunc-
ton, " Go ye into all the world and preach the
gospel to every sinner" for the sake of a mo-
mentary cclat and the ephemeral popularity Of
clap-trap applause. itinerate around the country
and with the coarse,j Jest, buffoonery, pointed
or pointless wit and mirth, pandering to the
eagerness for something new to call the people
together. Unless to those who subscribe to the
doctrine that "the end sanctihes the means il
is a sad sight to see q minister of the Gospel Of
the blessed Redeemey hiccuping and mimicking
the palsied tongue and Keeling steps of poor, err
ring souls tending to eternity, when their Mas
ter enjoins them that "Thcre is no name given
under Heaven whereby man can be saved but
that of Jcsus--my grace shall be sufficient fol
you-and the gates of Hell shall not prevail
against YOU"
few months since heard sermon that
took hold of the root of this matter definitely
Tho Rev, DR.. Kitchol, of Detroit, preached il
this village; the sermon was published in tn,
Clarion Of June 18th, (rcader look up that pa
per and read tagain) the burden of that sermon
was GONE ron THE TEMPLE, TWO FOR HOME
The holy words that fell from the lips of tina
man of God are still ringing in my ears, AM
would 20 God that the truths there uttered wer'
not only ringing in our ears, but echoing and
re-echoing in our souls, the spring of every i'm
pulse of our hearts to control the life The will
ing hearts of all hearers to live and initiate sucl
example will do more for the sobriety and peace
of the world, than all else.
We shall net then be panied with the sigh
of Legislative Assembly after the passage o
Maine Law, fastening with willing feet to
saloon, to make night hideous by their howlings
and poisoning Gods pure mir with their baccha
nalian oaths and revelings. Nor in this villag
or in any other will the heart ache, and sham
and confusion cover the face attic sight Of tn
Vice President of temperance society, dea'
drunk under table, or the President in gut
ter of back street, the companion of gruntinI
Q swine. For your Sons of Temperance win b
sons of God and the daughters of Rachel tn
h daughters Of the Almighty.
I We are Sabbath observing people. W
are church going people. We have tire
! churches in our midst, and their spires point u
heayenward. Let us look to the right sourc
, for aid and assume g the responsibility" Hw
are believers in the biblo we can be sure who
we are on the right track, and do our part rO
tionally, to hasten the time when every kne
shall bow and every tongue confess unto God.
: The world will surely be redeemed and saved
. but not by laws passed by State Legislature
= nor by vitupcration from the lips Of temperate
/. lecturers or the public press.
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