Richland beacon., 1875-09-11

For the Beacon.
DOTS on TEMPERANCE,
No. 6.
lLcSSrs. EdHOrS:

giCSSTS. EUUoFS:
1t is seen that the temperance
movement does not infringe upon the
purity OF the stability of the Church
of God. This charge has its origin
in those dark chambers, framed amid
its surging blllows by the arch enemy
of our race, to carry toward his he'll
liSh purposes. Strange to tell, son c
persons are found in every age of the
world anxious to do his dirty work.
To silence conscience a lawful excuse
is always at hand. BY repetition of
crime conscience loses its elasticity
and fails to respond to the early
teachings of sain'ed mother. Where
conscience is not scared a temptation
is presented to the mind at which the
heart revOlts, and turns away with
horror at the very thought of such a
crime. Satan observes this stagger-
ing, and calls in the aid of whisky.
his prime agent. to nerve the heart for
the contemplated deed, and the work
is done. The controlling power of
conscience being lost. Oh the second
presentation of this heinous offence to
the mind, without any thought of
God or the dreadful revelations of the
final judgment, it is repeated; again,
and again, this fearful crime is perpe-
trated, until wrecked in body and
soul, this ruined being is left by the
Angel of Mercy and the wooings of
conscience, to meet bis God in the
great day of trial.
Could the tears shed and the waves
of sorrow dashed against innocent
hearts be collected together in one
mammoth reservoir, the largest ships
bating upon our seas might safely
ride at anchor upon them. This as.
founding announcement will need no
demonstration If walk be taken
through the state prisons of our land,
and an investigation be instituted
among the wretched creatures as to
the causes Of their downfall. By
looking over the registry of these in
stitutions it is discovered that nine
tenths of the inmates of these dismal
cells owe their degradation and ruin
to the use of this HARMLESS beverage"
Ask these crushed ones, and they tell
you that, in the day of their innocence,
they never expected to meet this great
sorrow now bowling their frames to
the strokes of justice. The wcrk was
gradual but sure, under the directing
hand of this their strong enemy Its
insidious advances did not at frs.
alarm their best friends. But, alas |!
by constant use, the chains became so
strong that bound their limbs to the
dens of excitement and SIN, that a
mothers and sisters influence failed
to arrest their downward tread Be-
sotted by whisky, the intellect failing
to see the enormity Of the crime, they
fell, never to rise again. Could we
see the heightened procession of vast
ing and tottering forms, reaching
across the surface of our earth, caused
by these convictions & incarcerations
for violations of law, wearing away
with broken hearts, TO fall into early
graves, methinks every patriot heart
would be aroused to the Importance
of vigorous efforts to put down this
monster Zoe to the peace and happiness
Of our race.
This gives the solution why the
moderate drinker is assigned the post
Of honor (O" in these Dots. 1t is
also discovered that no drunkard is
made suddenly. BY looking again
into the visible Kingdom of Jesus,
and seeing the moderate drinker fold
ed in the arms of the fellowship of
the brethren, how strong the case be-
comes. Don't be startled-in some
instances the Deacon, who hands
around the emblems of the broken
body and shed blood of the Redeemer,
has been moderate drinker for thirty
or forty years. lie boasts that he
has taken three drinks day through
that leng,hcued period. lie knows
how to control himself and wages an
unceasing warfare against the temper
ance movement. The young convert
comes into the bosom aud fellowship
of the Church. and is anxious To do
battle for his Heavenly Master. This
srdor Satan determines TO cool down.
He knows what instrumentality to