The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-08-01

pose always is to destroy. If we would be
wise let us, like the sailors of Odysseus,
stop our ears. c. II. r.
The Attitude Of the Church towards the
Temperance Question. aNV
The church is a society, unlike any other
organization. 1t was founded by God him
self and has for its object the salvation of
lost world. 1t is not political, but spir-
itual i'll its design and end, its teachings
and its work. 1t touches man as citizen,
or as member of society, only in his rela-
ton to God and the everlasting welfare of
humanity. 1t teaches temporal duties and
secures temporal benefits, but only as they
concern mankind in relation to eternal in
terests. 1t would make men NEW crea-
lures, radically change their hearts and
lives, rather than reform their outward
life. Outward reformation follows its in
ward work upon the heart and life 1t is
Gods visible organization for retaining a
lost and ruined world 1t is the exponent
of Gods word endeavoring to save men by
the means, methods and measures which
God has prescribed in His word. 1t follows
the leadings of providence, rather than
makes providences for itself 1t seeks Di-
vine guidance and direction in all that it
undertakes and carries on for the glory of
God, and the well-being of humanity. 1t
recognizes the truth that there is time for
all things, that ''there is a season and
time to every purpose under the heaven"
and that God ''hath made everything beau
tiful in his time. 1t remembers that God
has a set time for favoring Zion, and it
watches for the opportunity to bring it
about. 1t does not ignore reason or sup
plant conscience, but strives to enlighten
both that they may act in conformity with
Gods will. 1t recognizes the fact that
mans natural reason is blind, and that con
science unenlightened by Gods word is not
safe guide. 1t differs with reason in that
it makes Gods word the supreme author
ity, and with conscience in that it makes
Gods word ''the only infallible rule of
faith and practice. Conscience is the
oracle Of God and reason is its servant,
but both need the light of Gods word as
revealed to us by the Holy Spirit. Right
and wrong are not absolute terms, but are
to be determined by their relation to other
things which may be right or wrong.
"All things are lawful, but all things are
not expedient." The fitness of things en-
tiers into the question of right and wrong.
Good sense, informed by Gods word and
enlightened by Gods spirit, must determine
mans course when conflicting interests,
all of which may be right in themselves,
present themselves for his decision. The
question is not always between right and
wrong, or between two evils, but often be
tween two or more rights, each of which is
pressing it's claims upon us. A thing that
is right Is not necessarily the thing to be
done here and now. Other rights Of supe
rior Importance may be claiming more i'm
mediate attention, and the right which we
would secure, it may be, can be accom-
plished better at another time and IN a
tlIlCiCb0 lidt WHICH seems
reasonable and opportune to us. We need
more than human wisdom always to do the
right thing, at the right time, and IN the
right manner. H'' i' "''' 'N"' ''"4'"'
This is the position which the church
would take in all matters which concern
the welfare of man 1t would follow rather
than go before Divine providence. It can
do no more for the temperance work than
for any other great reform. 1t must follow
the headings Of Divine providence. 1t con
Germs itself about the moral and not the
political aspects of the temperance work,
concerning which mems minds differ 50
widely. The church has always been OBJ
posed to intemperance and the business
which makes it prevalent. Among the first
deliverances of its highest courts in this
country it is pronounced against IT.
But realizing the high plain Of its spiritual
work it has not condescended to worldly
measures to accomplish its ends. Its
weapons are not carnal but spiritual. and
only thus can they be mighty through
God to the pulling down of strongholds'' of