National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1876-02-21
TEMPERANCE IN CONGRESS
IContinr<d from drsi page.

the purpose, tho intention. the wtIl OF the iosr.
Neither do care to consider at much extent
whether total abstinence is, phystoiogieilIy, tue
Though the physiological argument tends more
and more in favor OF total absttnerce, do no., as
already remarked, consider this the strongest
reason for advocating the aim OF this society.
That object 10 the total Punishment Of intempe-
rsnce-not mitigation Of it merely not simply
its confinement within narrower bounds, but its
complete overthrow. To Christian believer, Who
knows the power OF the Gospel over bis own soul,
lions have been accomplishing ana are stili prom.
issd through the agency Of the Church, this is NO
hopeless undertaking. though It is q vast one, aud
though It's difficulties might, IRON some points Of
We have the force adequate forit. Christian in
fuence In Its largest extent, II II could only be
applied, Is sllsufhcient to destroy every evil and
establish every good. Is It not written that the
wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad
Blossom AZ the rose If he Church Would but
show her power, would but work with the full
strength tiyen TO her, nothing, nothing csuId
stand against il; for God is in the midst OF her
she shall be moved; God shall help her, an that
right early"
Ultimately. all agencies for the renewal and
purity and elevation of mankind are seen by
every close student TO radiaie from the Church.
The condition OF the world, in respect Of virtue
and civilization ana snliRhtened progress will,
the condition Of the Church. in other words, the
worlG Will be more pure, as Individual Christians
show. by their lives, first Of all, and By their
words, their Incorporating adherence Of vice
and their unqualified practice of virtue.
Or, apply this TO the case before US, II Caris-
tan men would
STAND UP WITH UNITED FRONT
and move forward with no Iaggsrd step against
1ntemperance facing IL in whatever guise and
fighting Il with all their force, does any one
doubt that they would be resistless? II Christian
women were unanimous and resolute for total ab
stinence, could they fail: Does any one who
knows how social forces worE, how Influences
move from the more cultivated and refined ami
liftuOus classes society towards thA fsr
nOraDt and vicious? Does any such one dJabI
that II the sc-called drinking u;ages Of society
were now and hencetOrth discontinued by those
who think they never carry them to excess in:oxi-
cation ard intennerance would entirely disap-
pear?
IfChristian men who love their wine could only
see how the inebriate hides himself from his con
yictiODs behind the veil Of their Indulgence, ami
with seltrenouncing love for Christ and souls
he said, "lt is good neither to eat flesh nor to
drink wine nor anything whereby thy b-Other
stumbleth or is offended or is made weak" If
they that are strong wOnld but bear the iudrmi-
ties OF the weak and not please themselves, even
as Christ pleased no: himself, does any one doubt
that there would be power in this selEsacrihce
which would suodue the world?
And does any one need q stronger argument for
the platform on which this society stands? be.
lieve myself to be addressing Christian men aud
women, and plead with you, for Christ's sake. ia
behalf OF those fer whom also Christ died. You
the fouls rendered wretcbed and outcsst; in be.
bali of society made turbulent and disocderet 1;
In behalf OF our dearest Institutions, threatened
and imperiled by "~ine," which is a "m0cker."
and 'strong drink" still 'raging and N aking all
that are deceived thereby not wise"
We cannot shake off obligation TO this work,
nor turn from the fact that it must begiu hrs; OF
all with ourselves. Let US Danish the vine from
our own tables and lips; let it no Ionge. be seen
on cur festive board; lett cease from our homes
till the desire for It has ceased from hsarts:
let the sophistres about "sin per se' be LEFT Tor
the use only of those who desire CLOAK for their
indulgence, and the talk abOu. the physIoio xicai
argument against total abstinence be given ever
TO those whose brains alcohol has paralyZed, and
whose intellects It has bunted until they cannot
see what the physiological argument is. but let
the children Of God remember the yearnng of
their father over HIS prodigal sons, who are also
our brethren, and excIaim: "If meat make my
brother to offend, 1 Will eat no relish while the
world stsndeth, lest l make my brother to Of
febd.'
vices.