Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1869-09-25
ADDRESS OF DIR. ANDREWS coYcLupkp.l

iOioWIng reasons:
LIST. That these societies are not christian
Ii it DO meant that they are not christian in CON
tradistinction 70 benevolent societies, psrticu
larly as organized Of late years, | admit this.
for no friend of the cause need fear the most
thorough scrutiny and Investigation not that
mean by this to say that YOU will find every
thing perfect and no improvements to be made.
thinA the contrary, and think so in this par
ucuIar respect about the Relationship of these
societies mot 10 the Church as | shall fry 70
show in lis place. but to christianity "a distin.
gulshed from natural religion. But let me saw
IN ADVANCE 'iNt though a society be not consti-
tuted IN all respects upon the best model. il
does not follow that ssid society is not blessing
ana that IL aughl not 10 be sustained Suppos-
ing the contrary an argument might he framed
on inc same ground against anu society, even
inc church 50 far as man has had any hand in
It's arrangement.
Inc temperance society from tho start has
never PrcfssSed to be christian society. or even
arelglous society, but a mornl bcnfccrt and
oeuShciai socieiy. For many years their r.cot-
nsS were all public, and were usually opened
WIN prayer By any christian minister who
might be asked TO ofliciate, as the meetings for
most other good objects are usually so opened
as agricultural and other conventions and even
congress. Tins was sufficient: there never was
any evil or even objection, for no one was
committed 20 any error which might occur in q
prayer, supposing such to happen.
but II understand the matter there has now
IN some Of these societies (as in the case of
Free Masonry been established formal rcla-
uonsflp to religion, in ritual for devotional
purposes on various occasions, based not upOn
Christianity but upon natural religion. Tie
name and work Of Christis excluded, and plT-
posetg excluded. | once heard one Of these
prayers beginning, Great Father Of the JniveYse,
and there was nothing in il from beginning to
end that might not have been offered BY q Turk
OF Dcist, and hadthc Lords prayer been inclu-
Gcd ii would still have been So, IA YOU will find
upon looking at that prayer, in that view, for
that prayer was given before the atoncment
was made, and does not contain all the di.cc-
lions of the New Testament about PRAYER for
Christ himself bids Us 10 ask in his name. Pray
or IS not IN fact necessary part Of the work of
a Temperance Society. II IS not necCSary TO
offer any prayer at all before helping man cut
OF the ditch, or preventing another from falling
IN, BUT If offer pray at all, il connot be ono
from which the name Of Jesus Chat name lckich
IS above every name,) is purposcly excluded, for
IN that alone am | authoriz cd to expect any an
swcr to my prayer. Nay, | should not dare
otherwise to approach him for out Of Christ
God Is a consuming fire. Should it be
determined to hare prayer, and any
mbclcYers refuse 10 Join except upon
a stipulated silence respecting tho Sa.
yiour of the world, then that would be their
responsibility. | could not be party to such
stipulation. d. should 1t be determined on &C
count of tho diversity Of belief of those who
might join IN this particular good object not TO
have prayer except IL every mans heart, DO
not say that il would give any ground for con-
dcmniuc the society rs not christian. The
British and Foreign Bible Society TO this day,
and the American Bible Society, until quito
lately iGuot now, never open their meetings
with prayer, on account of the constituency be-
ing composed ofchUrohmcn, and disscutcrs and
Quakcrs, and Un!tarians. They al agree that
on one ground or other the circulation Of the
Bible IS a good work therefore that no
one may DC offended at their meetings
there is no religious service other than reading
a chapter in the Bible. But the christian part
Of the constituency could not have compromised
upon prayer from which the name Of Christ
is excluded.
So far then as this is the case in any of these
organizations, il Is something in my Judgment
which IL yet TO be amended, upon one or other
or the Glternatcs suggested.
| have treated this point in all caudor, broth
Crn and gentleman, and it includes all the con-
cessjons which have 10 make 10 objcctogS -
WHO toll Us,
2,rl. That these societies are h,'man d,uicss
of which We read nothing in scripture. But so
arc Bible societies, Tract Societies, Missionary
Societies and Colonization Societies, and Or
phan, Iucbriatc, and LuuIl.c Asylnms, human
devices OF which you read nothing in scripture.
But
Bird. 40 accomplish moral object you ap-
peal to wrong principle You rely upon a
written pledge to reform drunkards, instead Of
the Spirit OF God which only can do it,"
But how 90 you know that we DO not rely
upon the Spirit ofGod to accomplish this work !;
| profess for Que that DO, and hope that the
Spirit which employs mean viii employ the
Jiedgc and tho various associations aud helps
which attend il. rs one of the means TO this end.
But in the first place the reformation of drunk
ards is hut 4 small part OF the object of such
associations. iTcUtniOH is their chief intent
cure an occasional result. Of some two or
three millions who have joined these societies.
the greater part arc young persons who never
have used Intoxicating liquors, or not much.
Is there anything wrong in plcdging themselves
net TO drink jolC and pay unto the Lord your
God, is the divine command.
But If the Spirit Of God only can reform 4
druukard, then maniiost'y the Spirit Of God
must bC in these Societies, for that they have
been the means o. reforming hundreds upon
hundreds Of drunkagds, after all allowance is
made for backslidors, is beyond all dispute.
have known them and you have known, and
know them nOi0. Some of them hayo been
many years reformed. Some are dead, and Of
these some have died in the Lord the first step
toward their regeneration having been in the
aid extended 10 them by this good Samaritan
which found them wounded, robbed and halt
dead Certainly then the Spirit of God makes
use of Temperance Societies as one offs lnStru-
mcnts for saving souls. But,
9Th and last. "Tho Churchis the best SocI
city, whose prerogatiycs you Invade by attempt
Ing this work outside the Church, and even sac
cess, if admitted would not Justify the under
taking of Gods work outside of Gods appoint
cd organ. lie has none other on earth be-
sides mis- Church"
High churchmcn generally take this ground
and they are found in many denominations DC
sides the Episcopal. A high Church Baptist, or
Presbyterian, or Methodist, &c, IS by no
means n rare phenomenon. They are able
men, aud good men, and they may be wise
men, but to ne no argument seems more ialia-
cious then that which attempts to show that
Temperance Societies arc an invasion OF the
prerocatnCs Of the Church, or are made Su5Sss-
tttcS for the Church. That they may be abused
been abused on on enormous and most soluble
structiyc scale by being made a substitute for
Christ, is absolutely certain.
Blu; l Odmi, that the promotion of Temper
Gnce IN rs most comprehensive sens" as u
grace Of the Spirit, is the work OF the Church
| so further, admit the truth OF tlat great
maxim Of Romausn, E1lra cccieSiam nuLd So
ius, Otd oTfhe Church there is 40 SalUaiion. This