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

object, mans temporal happiness, to be-
come under the laws which govern the
heart and intellect, instruments for bring
ing men nearer to the Church Look at
the debasing effects of intemperance.--
Like physical diseases among the Jews, it
prevents many from approaching the con-
congregation of the Lord. Can we hope
to transfer such men instantly into state
of grace, into the full light of the Gospel
and the enjoyment of its sacraments Yet
probably, some of them are saved, either
under the general rules which God has cs-
tablished, or by more than ordinary in
reference of the Holy Spirit. The most
proper person to advise them, is the min
lister of the Gospel, and in his absence, the
words OF the philanthropist may do some
good. Suppose minister should desire to
bring into the fold of Christ a miserable
and degraded creature, whose physical and
mental energies had been shattered, and
his soul paralized by intemperance. Would
be not, first place him under the care of
those who would restore his body to health,
and his mind to reason? And then, re-
moving him from temptation surround him
with such domestic and social relations as
would accustom his heart to gentle emo
tions? Would he quarrel with his agen-
cies that accomplished such results? This
is all that we claim for the Temperance
Society This is all that is meant when it
is called by some John the Baptist to the
church. Only the ordinances of Christ have
the power to save But who will say,
that, in preparing men for their re-
ception, God never employs secondary agen-
cies? Who will say, that the Holy Spirit
never acts outside of the church? Men in
sin have prickings of conscience, impelling
them to do right. If these impulses are
obeyed, though the sinner may be igno-
rant of their source, he is nearer conver-
sion than he was before. Should he fol
low up such obedience to the warnings Of
conscience, he will be led under the gui
dance of the spirit to the body of Christ
to pardon and salvation. Men of the
world, in their reforms, are incapable o.
having such ends in view. But it is one
of the noble characteristics of the christian
that, in entering those schemes of the day
which are proper in themselves, he al
ways considers their bearing upon man.
eternal interests. How gloriously the op
portunity sometimes afforded, of pointing
ensobered men to the true object Of thei
gratitude What a field is opened fo
making converts to Christ
have, now, endeavored to answer som
of the objections to the Temperance Soci
ETY., in such way, I hope, as to remove
not only prejudice from without, but pre-
sumption from within. believe the Who'll
movement, is only one of the results {
christianity. Nothing else could teac
men the beauty of making great and last
ing sacrifices for the welfare even of th
vicious. The Society, though controlle
by christians, may have its errors. Higl
est orders of christians have erred in th
government of the church. But errors
/, individuals do not prove that either is ho
G tile to God or is deserted by him. Thoug
t they may cause both to be deserted an
D opposed by men.
=. You, my christian brethren, who rest
y scrupulous about the principles of our S
V ciety, how often, in entertaining yo1
# guests, have you handed the intoxicatir
: draught to men of Incorporate habits 2
e How often at your sideboards, have II
It young spent more than half the night
e excessive drinking! Surely, in such cas'
It the customs of Society are less defensit
nj than our principles. If good manners W
not allow you to make distinctions amo
T. your guests, and if you have not the cot
it age to exclude Incorporate men from yo
S, houses or your sideboards, l ask you
a atone for the past, by putting the bott
of for the future, to no neighbor's mouth,
lc offering wine and strong drink to none.
We Christian patents, you who, twenty ye;
ye ago, thought that familiarity with temp
es ton would prove safeguard to your SO
If sympathise deeply with you, now thai
v part of them have become or have di
n, drunkards. But have you changed yo
tn views on the subject of total abstinenc
ly Do you think your example would hs
es tended to evil, if those ruined sons b
sc never seen you, at thetable, or at the si
- board, touch even glass of wine? w
,e. do you not, even now, change your cour
or You still have little ones at home, or "
l neighbor's boys, by your influence, may
in led astray. Candid, thinking christians
ask you, where, in the circle of your
ce quaintance, has there been most perr
ns. nent, excessive drinking? Has it b.
We among youths trained to familiar use
is sight of the sideboard bottle, or ame
al those whose parents and friends set tn
at an example of total abstinence Th
he questions, and others connected with
it temperance reformation, are not to be
he cided by christians, at a glance, or VI
lp- preconceived prejudices; they desc
M prayer and earnest reflection. If there
he few among us who place total abstine
iu- and our Society too high, and if this is
lid only fault we ask you to come in
of he p US to correct their influence. Fins
ma if our principles, when properly explai
es- and understood, are admissible, oh !!
the me ask you, what results might we exp
md to accomplish, if we could Sc cure the
ley operation of the whole body of christi
Of voluntarily practising self denial, not
oy- themselves, but to promote the temp
rn- happiness of the poor inebriate and
fits. wretched family.
no.
up. re- "There's two ways of doing
- :" said Pat to himself as he stood mu,
sis and waiting for job. eff l save
II