Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-10-12
M1stellaneous.
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE.

49,
Ge2t spirits as a beverage? This ques-
ton may sound strange to the reli-
gious world. However strange it may
seem it is nevertheless true, that many
claim to be christians, who think that
they can use it moderately, and yet not
violate the laws Of christianity. They
claim to be temperate, it is true, tor to
abstain entirely from the use of 1t, they
say IS not temperance, but total alb
stinence, and conclude that they u
use a little in order to be temperate.
The word temperance may bear that
Specification literally ; but it is used
now in a more extended sense. The
@8us loquende is the law OF the Ian,
aclao. The word temperance is used
II this extended sense, especially by
Sons Of temperance, for they use the
word in no other sense than total alb
stineuce, and should be SO used by all
the literary world in respect to the IL
ger question.
But to the question. Is it right for
; member of a christian church to use
IS a beverage? Let us come to the
gospel principle and test the matter
The scriptures say, eff any man will
come after me, let him deny himself
auG take up his cross and follow me"
Now what is meant by denying ones
self? To deny oneself is to refuse the
qualification of ones desires or appetites.
Here we find the great law of chris
tianity, which is the practice of self
denial. Now does not an individual
yield to- a carnal appetite or desire,
when he takes a little as a beverage?
Is he practising the great law of chris
%tianity, which is the practice of self
denial. He may say, take a little
wine for his stomach sake as Paul adj
vised Timothy, but he should remem-
Der this was unfermented wine, and
not whiskey or brandy !; certainly, then,
if he drinks otherwise he is not practis-
ing this great law, but is moved by
interest or appetite.
= again the Word of God says that
no drunkard can enter into the King
dom of Heaven.
II is a difficult matter to determine
how far a man can &c before he is a
drunkard but We will say this much,
that-ifit takes ten drains to make him
drunk and be drinks one, he is one tenth
drunk. he is that much of a drunkard
then.
Again, he (tbe drhnkard) is placed in.
a~cstalocgo with'e%tortioper and who're.
morgerg, and with such q christian not
TO cat or commune. Then, if a man be a
dronkard in proportion to the number
Of dranis he drinks, as we have shown
above, we should not eat or commune
with him. The Word Of God says
shat we are 10 taste not, handle not,
touch not the u%ucleau thing; and that
VIC are to abhor the very appearance of
evil.
Now, what is a greater evil in our
country, than ardent spirits The
evil is clearly seen from the effects OF
it. A man is rational when sober, and
not so when under the influence OF
ard mt spirits; but is british when IN
der its influence. Since it is such
az evil, can We wink at it with impu-
nifty If it is an evil let MS abhor it. /
it has even the appearance Of evil, lei
Us abAor it. The christian can make
no compromise with the world, but
must make every sacrifice for religion
and look not upon the wine when it ii
red, for at lastit biteth like a serpent auc
sslngetL ike an adder, and woe be tc
the rac who pptteth the bottle to hi
raighbor's mouth.
il tie Scriptures denounce it in suct
expressions as the above, can the chris
tar take a little as a beverage and no
sia! I leave it for conscience to an
syer. The word Of God says lie
YOU light SO shine, that others seeing
yocr good works may glorify your Fa
ilreg wno is in Heaven, Now, we IN
de.s.ani the principles of christianit,
to BE u self sacrificing spirit, and thos'
WHO claim to be followers of Chris
must forego this pleasure, and yield tt
the great law of christianity. We IN
derstand this TO be the nature of tn
gospel, and every gospel church shoal,
Be so constituted that it should be abb
Ire uomharc from drinkin