The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-01-30
CHURCH. NOTES.


The churches were not SO full on Sunday
morning, the inclement weather being the
cause. The pulpit OF st. Paul's church was
fllcd by Bishop Whittlc, owing to the alb
sencc of DR.. Ninnigerodc. who ofticiated at
a vacant parish in Louisa county.
At Trinity Methodist church Rev. j. Powell
Garland, pastor, by request, preached Il very
interesting sermon on temperance Oh Sunday
night last from the following text, taken from
Judges Xiii, 4: "Now therefore beware, l
pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong
drink" The speaker announced that he
would Offer no apology for the discussion OF
this subject from the sacred desk, since there
could be no place more fitting for the pre-
scutation Of this important subiect-that Il
candid discussion would SHOW that this great
moral evil affected the Whole community, and
even had injured the Church of God. He
asserted that the text plainly established the
doctrine Of total abstinence from all intoXi-
eating drinks. He then proceeded to show
that the opinion OF the world was wrong in
lis estimate Of what constituted drunken
ness; that the standard Of the world is too
low when ii condemns the man who reels
through the streets and upholdS the msn who
shall take his drinks moderately, and when it
holds that in the social circle any gentleman
NAV take TIC Glass. lie then argued ut
length showing that the temperance of the
bible does net Ea&aR, moderate drinking, and
the position CT the world which gives this
interpolation is wholly in error. That the
true definition Of temperance is not moderate
drinking. but total abstinence us beverage.
While temperance as taught by tho Bible
mcahS the moderate Use of all things proper
20 use, Yet temperance i'll Il Christian sense
means abstinence from all things hurtful.
This idea has been beautifully expressed by
the Apostle Paul when he declared that if
tho eating of meat WAS hurtful to Others hc
would ahst:,ili as LONG rs the World stands.
II i affirmed that the Bible allows Glan to
drink moderately, and the temperance Or
@aniHationS arc opposed because Of pledge
that promises to abstain. IN answer 10 this,
lie stated that it was sufficient to say that no
man can drink even moderately Without its
hurting him. and linus tic question is settled,
| rs the Bible docs not allow man to do that
which is huItiul either TO himself or others.
lie then cited Samson rs an example of
| total abstinence from all Intoxicating drinks.
| lie was Il member Of the original temperance
| society. John the Baptist was also mem
! bcr OF the same ancient society, as was also
| -. Paul. The society was called the NaZa-
rites, and these distinguished leaders arc
| good examples for tliis and all generations.
lie then depicted this great moral evil as it is
seen in our streets. in places Of punishment,
| and elsewhere. This great scourgc must he
! stopped, and the only way for the tide to be
| turned is for all men to say, adopting the lam
.ul~c Of the text. Il will drink no wine nor
strong drink lie then closed avery earnest
address by M urgent appeal TO all to resolve
| 1t once to cooperate with the grand army OF
temperance in banishing this evil from oul
| land.