Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1873-07-17

In this case I am of the opinion the
Church should be as kindly affectioned
toward such brother as the case will
permit, and endeavor by brotherly love
to dissuade him from his course. His
duty, however, is plain. He should i'm
mediately forsake the traffic which is
offensive to his brethren, as his bounden
duty. Romans, IA Chapter, 13, 10, u VS..
Let us not therefore judge one another
any more; but judge this rather that no
man put a stumbling block or an occa-
sion to fall in his brothers way. Let us
therefore follow after the things which
make for peace, and things whercwith
one may edify another. tits good neither
to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any
thing whereby thy brother stumbleth,
or is offended, or is made weak"
The scriptures required us 10 walk cir
cumspectly. 1t ought to be noticed that
public opinion is changed, and changing
very fast, on this subject; and the traffic
i'll ardent spirits cannot be entered into
now as safely as it could some years ago.
think it now satisfactorily ascertained
that there is no lasting benefit whatever
in ardent spirits. 1t must be morally
wrong 10 offer for sale, that which the
vender knows can do the buyer no good.
1t must be worse to offer for sale that
which he knows, while it can clio him no
good, may do him much harm. We
would regret'very much were we to al
low ourselves under any preteXt, to ell
gage in Il traffic which would make it our
interest to encourage our fellow men to
ruin themselves for time and eternity.
And such must be the fatal step Of those
who enter into the traffic of that much
abused commbdity, ardent spirits.
1t is wise and safe in man to study the
will Of God, and endeavor to walk be.
fore him to NIL we'll pleasing. TO be in
different to his honor, must he offensive
to his majesty and provoking to his
wrath. We are commanded whether VIC
eat or drink, or whatever we do, to do
all to the glory of God. This ought to
regulate the affairs of life and the pleas
ures of taste. We may offend in eating
and drinking. This, however depends
upon our motive, and tue extent of our
indulgence. So, I believe, with the traffic
of liquor. Our Creator rlado us depen-
dent on wholesome food for growth and
health, and has grariously given us ap-
petites and cravings for it. The gratiti.
cation Of these natural desires, so far as
consists with the ends be secured,
must be in accordance with his pleasure,
who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
Beyond this must be injurious and otlen-
sive intemperance. 1t has been asked
"cannot liquor he lawfully used by
Church MEMBER" remember TO have
seen the following answer by an eminent
divine: "In just so far as they can be
proven to be necdful, either for the good
of the user or for tho happiness Of the
community, otherwise their use will,be
injurious, and by the dictates of common
sense ought to bo declined
But says one, "does not the Bible allow
their use?" Just so far and no farther
than they are beneficial. The same
author says, "Thc Bible does not permit
their use for food; for there is no sus-
tenance in them. 1t can't allow their
use for ths fulfllmento of any but the in
nocer. a.. natural desires, but there are
no sue. 1esires for them to satisfy. There
is nothing in them that can crafty any
natural propensity. l think the Bible
allows their use, then, only so far as
they are medical, That's, in cases of dis
ease where the patient is sinking, ora
complication of complaints where some
thing is needed to sustain or invigorate
the brain.
The author above roferred to further
says: g. II the desire for alcoholic liquors
must be classed with the lusts OF the
fiesh-and I cannot see that it belongs to
any other company-then the Bible must
be at war with the traffic of it; because
its tendency is as much, if not more than
any other, to fill the world with corrup-
tion. And If God is at variance with the
causes of sin, and strikes at the root OF
iniquity, he must be. opposed TO the
traffic of spirits rs most fruitful source
of moral evil, much unrighteousness
and ungodliness on earth. 1t must,
therefore, be morally wrong for church.
member to traffic in ardent spirits"