The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1876-03-23
Selected for the VIEeINIAN.l
Church Members Should be Active Temper
ancs Workers

/, for one, give you thanks for your cccason-
at Nominations against the growing evil of in
temperance in the use Of Intoxicating liquors.
1t is a sin which is coming in upon us like a
flood, and, unless victorious standard can be
raised against it, will engulph the Church and
State. | know congregations in which the
power of the pulpit is paralyzed by the intem-
perance of communicates, and even officc-bear
ers in the Church. The ministers hang their
heads in shame and their arms fall powerless
at their sides, because those who ought to told
up their heads set an example which more
than neutralizes their influence. Some OF these
men seem unconscious of the depth to which
they have fallen. So instlions is this sin. and
so gradual its progs ess, that its victims arc the
last to see it, and evea in it's last stages, would
resent the imputatioli Of drunkenness as an in
suit, and would be ready to assault him who
had the moral eourageto warn them. Itseems
to me that the pulpit an( the press could not
preach the gospel to more purpose than by lay
ing before their hearers and readers the awful
statistics upon this subject, and expanding
their influence upon the health of individuals.
the basis OF families. the order of society, and
the life of the Church. .td
I do not maintain that the temperate use OF
Intoxicating drinks is always q sin. I admit
that its moderate use may be sometimes ne
cessity. Things may be lawful, said St. Paul,
but not expedent; and he took the high
ground that he would not eat meat if it made
his brother to offend. And respectfully sub
NIT if it may not be the duty of all Christians
to ask themselves if the time has not come
when, instead of using their liberty, they
should not set their faces like a flint, and lift
up their voices like a trumpet against the use
Of Intoxicating drinks as Il beverage, in defer
cnce to the wrongs CT society, and because
they fancy it does them no ha, m. Oh for one
year Of st. Paul's noble example of sef=denial
even i'll things lawful, for a weak brothers.
sake. How it would strengthen the heart Of
many faithful pastor, pour the oil of joy in
to many a mourning spirit, and light up will
sunshine many home darkencd by the de-
mon OF drunkenness.
Ministers, wardens, vestrymen, fathers
mothers, brethren, it will be an awful thing
to meet st the bar of God those whom we have
LED into temptation, or have fallen by our TN
fathfulness.
= A PRIVATE OPINION ABOUT MIR. BLACK
BuRN.-Thc New York Tribune says:
About Mr.. Blackburn. He gravely sets
forth that he thinks General Boyuton has rul
away from Washington to avoid a subpoena
Now General Boynton has been for years one
of the best known men at the National Capt.
I'LL. tttlu oilG VI liz, Ciiicl uCCitldt os HAS Ucci
making other people run away for fear Of sub
pensls MIR. Blackburn has not been one d
the best known men at the Capital. In fac
~ttc Capital knows very little about him, ant
the country nothing at all. And it is Mr.
Blackburn who soemnly rises to say that h
thinks General Boynton has voluntarily made
a Statement, and then run away to avoid prov
ing it. Our private opinion about Mr.. Black
burn is that he is a fool.