The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1868-11-14
For the Bolivar Buletin.J
ESSAY ON TEMPERANCE.
BY ELDER A. s. DoRRIs.

They are commanded to abstain from
every form of evil" They are denominated
' the light of the world" and the " salt of
the earth. They are to let their light so
shine, that others may be constrained to
glorify our HeaUeBEy Father. Christswas
addressing Baptists when he used the above
language. Paul, the Apostle, was address
ing Baptists when he penned the words
" Abstain from every form of evil =
The light already referred to, is the pOa0-
er of Christian influence upon the moral
world, to enlighten it, by virtuOus actions
aud pious conversations.
Now, my brethren, does the use of ardent
spirits, as beverage, by Christians, exhibit
to the world much virtue, or produce many
piOus conversations that would eonstrain
men and women to glOrify God2 No, my
brethren, none will presume to say that it
does. Thenit necessarily follows that it is
not right. Then it is evil, and should be
abstained from by every Baptist throughout
the world
The Bible declares that it is wrong. Solo
mon says: q Wine is a mocker, and strong
drink Is raging, and whosoever is deceived
thereby is not wise" Prov 20, 1.
Again: BE not among wine-Bibbers,
(nor) riOtuous eaters of flesh; for the drum
kard shall come to poverty" Prov.
%. 20, 81.
Again: 1t IS not right for Kings to
drink wine, nor Princes strong drink. -
Prov. 81, 4, 5.
Again: Woe unto them that rise up
early in the morning that they may follow
strong drink. Isaiah 5, H. 81
Joel, the Prophet says Awake up ye
drunkards and weep, and howl all ye drink
ers of wines" Joel 5.
The Lord, by Amos, says " Woe to them
that are at ease III Zion, -- that drink
wine in bowls" Amos 6, !, G.
Paul says: " Let US walk becomingly, as
in the day; not in reveIing and drunken
ness" Rom. I3, I3. IUArFA--E Z
Again " have written unto you not to
keep company, if any one called a brother
be - drunkard, or an extortioner, with
such a one, not even to eat," Therefore,
put away that wicked mar" 1st Cor 5, II,
l3.
Again Be not deceived neither thieves,
nor drunEard s, - shall inherit the
kingdom of God" 1st Cor 6, 9, 10
Again: "The works Of the flesh are man
ifest; which are IL
murderers, drunkenness, and things
like these, of which 1 tell you beforehand,
as l also said before, that they who do such
things shall not inherit the kingdom of fGod
Gal 5, 10, 20, q.
What an overwhelming array of Scriptural
evidence, that 1t is wrong 1t is the voice
of God to guilt stricken world Let the
inhabitants of earth stand in awe and
silence, and sin no more Let the Church
of Christ arise from her sloth, and false
charity towards those who are guilty of this
horrible sin, and execute the law of Christ,
and thereby wash out the stain, and foul
stigma that attaches to 1t, like the leprosy
did to the ancient Jew.
But aside from the Scriptures, the use of
Intoxicating drinks, and its effects, furnishes
to our daily observation an abundant amount
of evidence, that it is great eUiL Let US
consider the effects of this evil Even mod
crate dram-drinking, in its mildest ferm
leads to drunkenness.
/. 1t betrays most constit utions either to
extravaganza Of anger, or of sins of lewd-
ness.
2 It disqualifes men for business.
8. 1t is attended with great expense,
which yields no profits, thereby wasting his
means, and embarrassing him in his bust
ness.
T. 1t is sure to engender strife, discon7
tent and sorrow in his family. s
5. 1t shortens life.
6. 1t sets most pernicious example be
fore others.
Z. 1t produces a diseased appetite that is
rarely cured, but terminates in death.
Some of its sad effects are seen by perus-
ing the reports of different States.
In Massachusetts few years ago, there
were 27,737 State paupers; more than $4,000
of whom were made so by intemperance.
Again:
lst 1t has, within ten years, cost this ma
ton an indirect expense of $500, 5000
and a direct expense of 5000, 100000.
ID. 1t has destroyed 100000 lives.
Sd. 1t has sent 100000 children to the
! poor house. .E
il 4th. It has confined 10000 persons il
tjails and penitentiaries.
9Th. It has made at least 10000 maniacs
9Th. Il has instigated to the crime of ! 500
murders.
Tth. 1t has caused thousands of persons
/ ko eomuait s7icida ~ ,a g