Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-04-30
[Original.]
ISTEMPERtNCE,


hicted upon our country by the abuse of in
toxicating spirits, is, to all humane individuals
distressing. In what we have to say upon
this subject we desire to be truthful. We
have no desire to run into extremes. In it.
self, or as the learned would say, the simple
use of Intoxicating liquors is not per- Sc, a
sin, neither are we prepared to say that
drunkenness is the greatest Of all sins. The
proper use of anything cannot be q sin, and
the irreverent use of Gods name is more
heinous sin in the sight of God than beastly
drunkenness. Drunkenness is, however, a
sin, and q most hcinous transgrcsson against
both God and man. Perhaps there is no sane
man who would deny this statement The
6runkard himself feels that by his habit of
drinking, he is shining against himself,
against society, and against the God Of hea-
ven. He is aware that he is bringing upon
himself infamy and shame, and inhicting
upon the innocent members Of society much
misery and if he has been raised in Chris
tian community, and had his mind stored
with Bible sentiments, he feels that he is
jeopardizing his soul.
The evils Of imtemperahce are too glaring
not to be seen by every one, and it is cause
of lamentation that these evils are so common
as to be felt by nearly every member in So
ciety. An old Greek philosopher said long
ago, that drunkenness is minor madness,
Really, it seems to partake of the nature of
insanity. One of the characteristics of the
insane is to fear what is harmless, and rush
headlong into the midst of imminent danger
1t is not meant that drunkarls are all intel.
lectual dwarfs, or uncultivatcd monsters
For, although, intellectual imbecility and bar
barous monstrosity, are the almost invarlable
results of drunkenness, still, multitudes, pos
sessed of the most brilliant minds and favored
with the most refined culture, are on the
broad road that leads to a drunkard's grave.
Drunkenness may be attributed to null
titudc of causes; but it clcar has its origin
in mans sinful nature. 1t is one of the works
of the devil. The taste for intoxicating H.
quors is an acquired one; but when once the
habit is formed, it is barely possible to break
it up. Reformed drunkarls are exceedingly
scarce.
The abatng of the evils of intemperance is
worthy of the efforts of the philosopher, the
statesman and the Christian. Drunkenness
saps the foundation of society in all its
phases, as we'll as retards the progress of the
church of God. Its tendency is not simply to
drive godliness from the land, and shut men
out Of the kingdom Of heaven but it also
drives peace and quiet from the world and
destroys the brightest trophies and rarest
triumphs of civilization. The heart sckcns
at the bare contemplation of the ravages of
iutemperance. The catalogue of its attend
ant crimes is endless.
That drunkenness is common in our coun-
try at this time will be admitted by every one.
1t docs not matter whether it is more general
than at any previous period in our history or
not. The fact is clear that drunkenness ex-
lists, and it is causing much distress, grief and
agony of both soul and body. The question
then, is, can this evil be abated? Surely it
can. There will be, no doubt, drunkards as
long as the world lasts; but certainly their
number may be greatly reduced. Drum ken
ness, it is firmly believed, is the work Of the
devil, and drunkards are so far under the
control of the devil. How, then, is this work
of Satan to be destroyed, his schemes defeated
and his captives ransomed? We answer, by
the grace of God. The individuals by whom,
rs instruments in the hands Of the Holy
Spirit, the good work is to be accomplished,
are Gods professcd people of every name.
All that is necessary in order to abate this
evil is for Gods people earnestly and impor-
tunatcly to plead with God that this work of
the destroyer Of souls may be abandoned.
The making men sober and the abolishing of
inebriety, is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Without the sustaining and sanctfying power
of the Holy Spirit, any man may become a
drunkard. Sustained and supported by that
Spirit, every man will live a sober life. God
grants his Spirit to them that ask it. Not
only does he grant his spirit to the individual
asking it, but he hears prayer in behalf of
others, and grants them blessings. The peo-
pie of God can, if they will, live and pray
drunkenness out of the land. All they have
! to do is to live sober lives and to pray that
others may do so too. The granting of such
a petition would advance Gods dcclarative
glory, and be conducive to the good Of thous-
ands Of the human family. For this reason
Christians are warranted in praying to God
that he would abatc this evil, and they have
right to look up and expect an answer to
their prayer.
By Shall Gods thoughts be surpassed by
mans thoughts? Gods giving by man
asking? Gods creation by mans imagina,
ton? No. Let us climb to the height OF
our Alpine desires let us leave them behind
us and ascend the spear.pointed Himmalays
of our aspirations still shall we find the
depths of Gods sapphire above us still shall
VIC find the heavens higher than the earth
and his thoughts and his ways higher than
our thoughts and our ways.
>------------
By The relations of Christians to each other
arc like the several flowers in garden that
have upon each the dew of heaven, which be-
ing shaken by the wind let fall the dew at
each others roots whereby they are jointly
nourlshed, and become nourishers of one an
other-Bunyan.
sa5" Profanity never did any man the least
good. No man is richer, or happier, or wiser
for it. 1t commends no one to society; it is
disgusting to the refined, and abominable to