The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1864-04-06

SERMONS on INTENPEEANCE-Re Rev. Mr.
Bryant deferred bis discourse on this subject for
two weeks.
Rev. DIR. Walker. on Sunday evening. spoke
from the 35th chapter of jeremiah. on the first
temperance pledge being thatof the Reehabitcs.
DR.. Wolf the Jewish missionary in his travels
bad found a Rechabte man. thus showing the
prophecy, that some of them should remain
forever. was fulfilled in our day
The speaker showed that in the Old Tesia-
mcnt drunkenness is forbidden and the use Of
intoxicating drinks is discouraged. Kings aad
priests were not to drink wine or strong drinks.
Treating. or putting the bottle or the glass to
your neighbor's mouth. has a curse to it. The
New Testament forbids the use Of intoxicating
liquors except for a medicine; aud especially
il it cause a brother to offend or sin. 1t also
provides substitute for the excitement of
liquor in the command to IS be filled with the
spirit This. in the soul of the Christian, pro
duccs an cxhiharation far tran,cending IN purity
and elevation any enioyments which intoyica-
ting stimulants can produce.
The speaker then gave historical sketch of
the manufacture and use OF alcoholic beverages
from the times when the Juice of the crushed
grapes was squeezed into the cup. to the end of
the whskey rebellion. In many of the ancient
armies these drinks were forbidden. The red
man had been partially cxterminated by them.
There are two stages of intoXication-exhil-
narration aud disease, one stage regularly follow
ing the other. Any habit OF using things for
the body which Injuries it, will in the end
master the spirit The taste is sometimes ac
CURED sometimes hereditary. In referring To
the mistaken idea of many that intemperanc
il peculiar to those of weak minds. b. referred
to the instance of Thomas Marshall one of the
most gifted members Of Congress. who had
tried and struggled many times TO reform, hut
all in vain. After making powerful effort in
the House on the occasion Of the celebrated
trial of John Q. Adams. he went ont into a
lobby room. and in an hour lay at his full
length, Frustrated. motionlc~-. and drunk.
The victims of incompetence usually perish by
that most horrible OF diseases, delirum tremens.
In regard to the remedies that could be used.
the Rev DR.. said that there were some that
were suitable for the body which might he
used with advantage. The effects of intern
pcrancc on the intellectual powers could be
cured by abstinenencc; while its destructive
Influence on the moral and spiritual faculties
could only be prevented and remedied by be-
coming a Christian. Abstinence and the
Christian religion were always sure cure, and
the only one.
The speaker showed that man differs from
the animals in four particulaGs-in having Tea-
son. conscience. free will. and an upright posi-
ton; and dwelt on the degrading effects of
intemperauce in reference to each of these dis
tinguishing traits Of mans nature. His next
/ inquiry was. what we can do towards removing
the evil; and concluded that all should obey the
scripture Injunction to moderate drinkers to
refrain from using the liquors for their brothers
sake. Associations like the Sons of Temper
ance, and the Temple. had done much good /;
but what be thought would be more ehectual
and was specially needed. was such an cle-
mentary instruction. by speaking and through
the press, addressed to the rising generation.
as should make them familiar with the truths
connected with the subject. and save as many
Of them As possible.