Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-03-21
The Church Moving.

During the past year it has been our pleas
ure to chronicle the official action of several
branches of the Christian church. Some of
them have endorsed the efficiency of the
sons oil Temperance as powerful organiza-
ton for the prosecution of this great moral
reform so dear to the heart of every true
christian. We are rejoiced at this new de-
Veiopment of success because it gives us
strength and at the same time DESTROYS the
piuiui excuses of rum-loving Christians u
enat the church is sufficient Temperance
Society for them. At the Virginia Confer
ence OF the Methodist Episcopal Church held
az Lynchburg, at which the annexed report
was aoopted, the Rev. DR.. McFerrin urged
lne ministry to go forth among the people
preaching the gospel and exhorting them TO
Temperance. Let the ministry follow his ex,
ample and heed his advice, and the increase
IN their membership will be more surprising
in the future than in the year lust closed. IL
Let the church assume high ground on this
vital question, and liquor sellers, who profess
Christianity, will be compelled to cease their
eVii trafnc or have the livery of heaven, in
winch they have SO long served the Devil.
stripped from off their hypocritical bodies
IL is time the mask was thrown off-that dol
lars and cents in the contribution box had
ceased TO weigh against priceless souls-that
temperance and Righteousness should. as in
the days of Paul, go hand in hand, and the
Felixes of the present day be made to trembIe
as the dark picture of misery they are heap
ing upon humanity is revealed before their
eyes by the master artists of the gospel-the
ministers.
we ask for the report an attentive perusal.
believing that its strong facts cannot hut
have good effect upon all who read it
The Committee says:
The cause of Temperance is dear to the
Philanthropist, the patriot and the Christian.
The best interests of society, the progress
and the power Of our country, and the sue.
cess and purity of the Church of God. are in
yolyed in the triumph of this cause. Under
the operation of the law of habit, the use of
splrituous liquors" as beverage will en-.
gender desire for persistence in its use
Inc effect OF stimulus upon the system. as
experienced in the reaction following the un..
natural excitement-in lowering its tone al
preventing proper discharge ofits function
is also a demand for the repetition of tlsoE /
stimulus. The diseased state of the stomach !
caused by the habitual use of ''spirituous
nquors, likewise makes q demand for the |
continued use of stimulating agents. The
diseased state OF the system, the reaction
1NNAs oPNh bhiS OfcT t4clIemcnI. and
the increased taste for ardent spirits. resuI. |
ting from its habitual use, all declare that
the law of the Church-the law of total ab- |
stinence from all ''spIrituous LIQUORS" as n
beverage, is the law of nature and the con. |
dition of safety. Or, if there be no fears for |
personal safety, the Apostolic precept of sac |
rlilce for the good of others still demands to-
tai abstinence. Your Committee would call
the attention of the Conference to the enforce |
ment OF this law both by precept and ex-
ample. The Church has not, as your Com |
mlttee believe, performed its whole duty in |
TINS matter, and is to some extent responsible |
Tor the Intemperance which curses our land |
Inc Sons OF Temperance are laborinp with
commendable zeal, and it is belle we'd. with
much success in this good cause. With sreat
pleasure we bear testimony to their unfail. /
ing energy in their labors of love. Thouph
the noise and the excitement of the Temper.
ance reformation have died away. vet yonr
Committe believe that the triumph of this
cause IS still the desire of the Church. The
mountain torrent by reason of its obstruc-
tons, the very difficulties to its progress.
rushes with noisy roar along its course, but
when swollen into mighty river, its rolls
with nolseless yetresistless power sweeping
away all impediments. The debate and noise
OF conflict with Intemperance have passed
away but the opinions and purposes upon
which depend the triumph of this cause, are.we
trust, on the increase. Your Committee would
offer the following resolution for the adop-
ton of the Conference:
Resolved, That we most cordially desire
the advancement of the Temperance cause-
and will by suitable efforts strive to secure
its complete success
JOHN d. BLACKWELL, Chm'n.
81. B. CowLEs.