Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-01-16
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To Christians of Every Denomination

10 CnrlsJlanS OF Every OeuOUlhdIlun
We propose to say a few words to those
who are members Of the Church. We do
not propose entering into a lengthy disssr-
tation upon the general coldness and inert
ness Of the church's members, which is so
much, and with such good reason, complained
Of and lamcnted by her ministers we leave
that-at least for the present-to those bet
ter qualified, more competent for the task
their duties in the temperance cause, and
their sinful neglect of those duties, is to be
the general scope Of our remarks in the pre-
sent article.
IL cannot fail to be a source Of grief and
establishment to the truly pious heart, to see
that so many members Of the church, the
prolessed friends Of morality and sobriety,
are 80 exceedingly backward in attempting
anything for the advancement Of Thu cause.
True, most Of the professors Of religion make
at least a show Of interest in the temperance
cause, perhaps because ii is at present a pop
ular thing, just as 1t is fashionable nowadays
10 profess religion-they will readily agree
with you that intemperance is an evli. OF great
magnitude a %gricvous, moral canker, rank
ling and fostering in the bosom Of society
vet when active measures are about to be
taken for the suppression Of this prevailing
and damuiug vice, when the work really be-
gins, they as readily cast the burden on the
shoulders of the others, with the most ex-
emplary ~modcsty, excusing themselves from
so mech w. a finger, on account OF their ina
bility, their utter incompetency for the task.
Nv friends aud fellow.members of Gods
church., this ought not So to be, it must not
be. Is this the extent Of your profession Of
love to 6 d aud zeal in his service? Is this
your love for your fellow.mcn, for dying sin
ners? Suppose you, that you are fulfilling
your duty to God and man, when you refuse
to take an active part in the suppression Of
one of the most hidcous vices with which
humanity is cursed? Or think you that it is
optional with you to assist in this ork. II
you do, rest assured that you are most
i~earlully deceived. What man that loves his
brother, could see his brother a victim to a
r~avaging, destroying monster, and not exert
himself for that brothers rescue? What
man could tamely soc n dear friend about to
sink beneath the waves aud not stretch forth
his hand TO save him? Yet here are your
trends, your dearest relatives, in danger o.
being devoured by q monster more hideouS
more deadly tkaa the flbled dragon tina
guarded the golden fleece in danger Of beint
e%ngulfed in u ruin vast and awful, Temporal
and eternal and yet you can stand calmly by
and see them perish without one effort L
save theml You will, after warmly denounc
ing intemperance, and applauding temper
ance, quietly fold your arms, and think, fOI
sOoth, your duty's done. Oh, hearken t
the cry Of human suffering and misery whic
this evil has wrought Oh, visit its wretche
victim on his death-bed, and let him tell tn
horror and despair of his soul, as before hi
opens up eternity's endless ases-ages
woe inexpressible, Of torment unutterabl'
on, ponder upon that dreadful sentence Il
tered by a holy and immutable God, IN
drunkard shall enter the kingdom of heaven
DO this, and he who does not thereupon s.
and feel that it his imperative duty to ASST
in the total eradication of intemperance frc
the land he who does not thereupon prom
liz and energeticAlly perform his duty. mt
indeed possess a heart Of adamant, unsC
ened by the better feelings and impulses
humanity a fearfully blinded moral visio
nay, more, he must be as utterly destitute
the principles of true religion, and the
wing grace Of God, as the yeriest heatl
that walks in pagan darkness. But, belo'
we are persuaded better things of you,
trust that your neglect of this matter
hitherto proceeded from a lack of proper
tention to, and just reflection of the subj
rather than from Q lack of brotherly ]
ard Christian grace. We also trust
year attention having ONCE beer draw
the subject, you will give it your earnest
~prayerful consideration; and pray that
will enable you to see Alright.
But methinks the question is propoun
what would you have me to do" rs
performance of my duty the connectinI
myself with some temperance association
Isl attendance OF temperance meetings v
opportunity offers? Is this the duty ir
Temperance cause which you have so
been raying absnt2' To these ~interroi
ries We reply, do those things if you Sc
join a temperance pledge; these are all
er in themselves, and will be setting a
example to others but you must not
pose that this is 70 be the sum and subst
Of your duty /; nc, il has a deeper, a b,
a holier significance than this; when vo
one upon whom intenperance has laid il
filing hand, who bears the drunkard S inn
upon his brow, stand not aloof from
wrapping yourself-as 80 many prof
Christians do--in the mantle of your sup
superior virtue, and with a "touch.me-
am holier than thou" suffer him to re,
stAgger onward 10 his ruin no. no
then Is the time to show vour lovo f'r