The Osceola times., 1883-09-15
OsCEoLA, ARKANSAS, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 10,

an example in all things pertaining
to his heavenly will, morally, and
everything else.
Again, it so happened that l had
occasion to have company at my
house on New Years day last, and
believed at such a time it was nec-
essary to have wine, and did not be-
lieve it would be an offense to my
God, as it was admitted by him un-
der the old Gospel Dispensation to
be used in a christian-like manner,
which was my intention and object.
Drunkenness is an abomination to
God, and of which ! did not appre-
hend any danger. Neither did l
think it would be an offensc to any
of my brethren, as l supposed they
did not make their society religi-
ous institution, and therefore, it
would not apply to my case.
Again, as ] profess to be follow
er of the meek and lowly Saviour !
think his spirit ought to guard me
against all immortality, through love
to him, not by any merits or works
Of our own to aid him in his cause,
always looking to him with humility
of heart, and our walk and CONVEX
sation to correspond with our pro-
fessions, so far forth as in us lies,
through his spirit, and giving Him
all the glory. Moses never could
obtain the promised land by assum-
ing to himself what our saviour mer-
tied, and Peter was rebuked for the
same presumption. Now this /
think of christians, and if we embrace
true religion, We will want no other
help but the help of God, and moral
ity will be our motto.
Our example is before the world,
not by force, but through love to the
God we adore and revere. We are
as christians, always afraid Of giving
offense, because of our love to Him.
1t would be grievous to me to hurt
the feelings Of any of my brethren,
whom / love, by not altogether
thinking in every minutie in moral
tiles as they do; and in truth, the
only difference that ! can see in this
matter is, that ! am for a voluntary
example through pure heart with
out compact, and am not so stren-
uous as to the measures. Therefore
hope my brethren will be willing
for me to think for myself where
conscience is concerned; and when
the Lord tells me it is duty l owe
to him, will checrfully join the So
ciety, but under existing cireum-
stances, | hope l will be excused. ]
consider the temperance cause a
moral institution, between man and
man; but Independently of this, we
owe duty to each other, as good
citizens, to refrain from all evil acts
injurious to humanity; and we should
let our moral department show to
the world at large that we despiso
the character of a drunkard, or any
other character injurious to the com
munity, which in my humble opin'
ion, is all-sufficient for christians
Let the drunkards, who cannot bt
otherwise restrained, bind themselves
in any way that would be most like
ly to succeed in ridding them of one
of the greatest evils that ever inilict
ed the human family. lam tar from
being an enemy to the cause, man
age it how you will, though l have
no doubt but what some will say
am; but l deny it. If l do not thinl
exactly as you do as to the PLAN o
reform, that don't argue that dom
believe in the benefits, and therefore
if | am not against the effects,
must be for it in substance; and | can
not but believe that example speaks
as loud in this matter with christians
as their signatures would on paper
for it is believed to be duty unitec
with christianity, and those who dc
but voluntarily adhere to these,
am afraid, when tried in the scale
will be found wanting. Now my
dear brethren, wish all the success,
this world can afford in order to oh
tain q reformation, by any and evcry
means that man can devise in thi
matter consistently with what they
believe to be their duty; and ma,
our Heavenly King prosper all thing
pertaining to his will, and may w
give all the glory to Him is th'
prayer of your unworthy
| servant. ETC.,