Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-11-19

"a
rate organization we think you take wrong
view
Let US see if these organizations have done
anything. or are~now doing anything for the
good OF men either for this or the world 10
come.
We want you to judge aud to judge can
didiy and honestly. Have you known any
community benefited by sucl. an organization?
DO you know any young men who would have
led into a drunken life but for the restraining
influences of such society? Do you know
of any family that has been made happier by
father or son being reclaimed from tipting
or drunkenness through the efforts of Tenn
perance men? Do you know of any man
who has been brought from the gutter; re-
stored to soberness and gone on in his busi-
ness to certain prosperity? Do you know of
any young man of promise who was near his
ruin by frequenting eros-shops who has been
brought into Temperance order and saved
from disgrace and ruin?
Do you know of any individual who has
been at all benefited by the Temperance
movement! Do you know of any one who
has been reclaimed by these helps and after
ward become an ornament of the church p
BE candid in your judgment-put awav all
preconceived opinions, and 'sjudse riyhtcous
Judgment. Ii you answer any one of these
questions affirmatively, then Temperance or.
ders have done good. They have been a
benefit to communities to families and 70 in.
dividuals They have saved some from a
drunkard's grave at least. Have made some
good citizens who would otherwise have been
a nuisance. Last but not least. have sobered
some, thereby preparing them to receive
Christ and thus been saved from drunkard's
hell.
IF y.
that the cause has saved some in heaven .by
bringing them to Christ. you must to be con
sis'ent with christian principle give your eff,
forts to swell her numbers, to increase her
influence for good, and assist in the grea.
work of doing your fellows good Our Mas
ter event about doing good'' He came to
seek and to save the lost" and .sif anv man
have nat the Spirit of Christ he is none Of his "
But you may argue the church covers the
whole ground But we object to the arou
ment. First, Temperance societies have
reached thousands in the world whom YOU
could no, reach by the Church Go with YOUR
jewels and cast them before these swiue and
they will tEa'npie them under their feet and
turn again and rend you But reclaim them
from drunkenness: bring them under the in
ilnence OF these teachings sober them in
life !; bring them to themselves and then pre
pFcciate and give them consideratinn Ten.
perance societies are nut designed to be scpa
rate from the church but to cooperate with
the church and to serve as a kind of stepping.
stone to the church.
Second, Suppose you get men, who have
formed the habit OF drinking, converted and
brought into the church now tina, they have
habit which is almost second nature with
them, they need all the help they can get
against this specific habit. They need special
influences which. the church does not always
give. The Masters plan was to give here
little. as special cases needed we think Some
have been converted with habits of intem-
perance nxed upon them and as the d, g has
returned TO his vomit again the sow to her
waowing in the mire. But spciul Influences
might have saved those persons
Third. How many men have the besettinp
sin OF intemperaDce Before having con,
'raeted the habit they have gone into the
church and atterward been overcome bv this
besetment and fallen from their places What
did they need! Special influences in the
one particular And yet you object because
it is speciality. When strong drink is
making specially 10 the destruction of our
best men our fathers sons. friends. and max
ing its special attacks upon our churches. bear
ing from our pulpits some of our most tai.
ented ministers and frrm our atars SOME of
the best laymen, shall we as christians. fail to
maine special attack upon the monster p
no brethren, let us hy-a united effort oppose
and rnrn mis- great tide OF destruction that is
sweeping over land and leaving woe and
misery in its track
Again we hear an objection to principle
that all these orders hold total. abstinence. -
Have you any desire to indulge little YOUR
self! Do you wish your wine? Do YOU
wish to enjoy social glass with your friends?
" hata sad spectacle TO sec minister of the
gospel at wedding parties or ether social
gatherings. indulging in his wine. and thus
giving to the world license to 20 a little tar>
'her than the minister! What sad Thought
tha'a christian wife has given to her husband
the glass of wine that has been his ruin +
What sad fact that christian matrons have
given t" their sons and guests the social glass
OF wine only to be followed by a life of drunk
ehness! "u are afraid you will be an ex-
'remist You forget it is better to err upon
the side of right than wrong. Some tn 5 hun
extreme abstinence have gone into extreme
drunkenness You say no harm resulting to
myself But, oh, the harm resulting to
others. No particular harm in little now
and then. Ah, it is the general harm most
to be dreaded "1f meat make nv brother
offend | will eat no meat" Total abstinence
the only safe policy. Avoid the first dram
and you will surely escape the snare; ; but
take the first and the way is opened for the
second, and then the desire for the third;
then the thirstine for the fourth then no
satisfaction but in the drowning influences of
drunkenness.
We now present few facts without argu-
ment:
l. Whisky drinking prevents more people
from attending church than all other causes
combined
z Ii destroys religious Impressions in those
who attend church, more than any other one