Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-04-09
For the Marshail County Republican.
THE TEMPERANCE CRUsADEs

THE TEmTAhANOA SksSSN'
This is the sll-absorbing topic of the
hos1; and of its origin and character
there are as msny opinions as there are
shades of faith amongst men. Some at
tribute the entire movement TO Dio Lew
is. Others give him no credit for the
wonderful work he has doubtless been an
important agent in inaugua,ing.
OF those who tacitly, or openly, cham
pion the movement, there are two great
classes; those on Che one hand who rec
ognize the guiding hand of Jehovah in
the work, and those on the other hand
who see in it only the manifestation of
on irresistible popular sentiment, com.
batting popular evil this class depend
ing alone upon human agencies and guild
ed only by human intellect. While in
the unanimous desire tc benei, their fel-
lows, and mitigate the evils of intemper-
ance, these two classes have thus far
worked harmoniously together for one
common end, there are omens of differ
ences which threaten to destroy the great.
est humanitarian enterprise ever inspired
by our Heavenly Father in the hearts OF
his children. If we err, let il be on the
side of humanity. Spirituality, the fruit
of faith IN God, is an attainment. 1t Is a
possession which renders its possessor (if
we are to credit the testimony of the
christian world), creature of moral
light, and exalted motives which were
foreign to him previous to his religion
his reunion to God. Christians claim
the advantage of faith, and Of prayer, and
communion with God through Christ,
over their unbelieving colleagues, ant ask
In the spirit of christian charity, and hu-
mility, if intellects. intensified By faith
and prayer, strengthened by this new and
exalted attainment, are not worthy of
confidence as counsellors in this our COM
mon works. An experienced lawyer
would resent the dictation Of mere the
ologian upon an intricate point of law,
and with as good reason the experienced
christian claims authority tor his views
of the spiritual features of the temperance
movement. 1t is strong evidence to the
candid mind that the religious elemen. is
no mean part of the motive power in this
great moral revolution, that it was pre-
reded by general, wonderful. and deep
spiritual awakening amongst christians,
and an immense addition to their num-
bers from the ranks Of the unbelieving.
Christians firmly believingf with their
new and exalted sense of duty, that the
Temperance field is the one just now prov
idcntially opened for the development of
their christian character, In christian tod,
no less than the manumission of their fel.
low men from terrible foe. While the
christian portion of this army of humani-
tartan laborers accede to every legitimate
means from every quarter for the accom-
plishmeLt of the great end, we claim that
they owe it to God, to themselves, and to
the cause, to be their own judges of their
acts and standing as christians, and bold
ly and in untrammeled freedom from any
restraint, to avow and act upon their
faith in the divine feature Of the work.
Especially, as this position cannot in any
way conflict with the plans and move
ments of those who are not in harmony
with them upon this important feature.
1t is no proof that God is not in the
work, that saloons are not surrendering
in Plymouth, and that our streets are
filled with staggering humanity. 1t has
taken centuries to forge the bands by
which our race is held 70 day. We can
not hope for freedom liz an hour. Let us
60 forth, not as bigots and fanatics. ex-
pectinc miracles in return for listlessness,
or in faith withoutworks, which is dead
Mothers, sisters, daughters, you who have
suffered most because you have loved best
and truest, whstever other mistake you
may make, do not entertain the fatal one,
of loosing the arm Of the omnipotent
God who has entrusted this sacred mis-
sion to your keeping, and through whose
name alone You can conquer.
Trust not in the counsels of those who
have never obeyed the voice of your
captain. INNoMINATA.