Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-10-18
TEMPERANCE.
Action of the Presbyterian synod on this
Question.

Action of the Presbyterian synod on this
Question.
At Saturdays session of the Presbyte-
rian Synod of the Pacific the permanent
Committee on Temperance submitted the
following report, which was unanimously
adopted:
The determination of the liquor traffic
by means Of constitutional prohibition, or
in any other approved way, is the greatest
question now before the American people
as an external reform iii aid Of the gospel.
Every town and hamlet is interested in
it, every State is agitated by it, and soon
this whole nation will be shaken by it as
the trees of the forest are shaken by a
mighty wind Another irrepressible con-
hict is coming in the history of the United
States of America, and the current of
events IS setting steadily and swiftly to-
wards the impending crisis. Total absti-
nence from intoxicating drinks rs beyer-
age has been settled as the only true prin-
ciple of Temperance, at least in this age
and nation, and the absolute eXternlination
Of the traffic in these drinks is now the
work to be done This position is taken
| by the Christian Church of nearly all de
nominations The Israel of God is COM
mittcd to this reform Without in any
way entering the political field, the
Churches of this country are committed to
this reform. Our own General Assembly,
after making similar declaration, add the
| following:
They are now prepared to say of the traffic in
| Intoxicating liquors. us Abraham Lincoln said
of another evil If this traffic be not wrong, moth
| ing is wrong We cannot believe that this attl-
tude of the churches of our country is the result
of fgnaticism We cannot believe that the Spirit
of God has given over His people to Il delusion
upon this subject. We are compelled to believe
! that in coming up to the high plane of total ab-
! stnance from all intoxicating liquors MS bey-
| eragc. and of determined and lrreconcllabie
| hostility to the drinking saloon, as the sworn
foe OF all that is best and purest in cur civiiza-
| ton, the Church of Christ is simply following
! the standard of her Divine leader. She can
! take no step backward. She hears in the word
| and in Divine Providence the command, SPEAK
| to the childIen of Israel, that they 90 forward,
and with unwavering courage and 1niieXlble
determination she Will so forward to glorious
| victories over the great fee Of God and man.-
| Minutes 1854, p y
Your committee would call attention OF
members of the Synod TO the entire action
of the last Assembly on this subject, and
to the report of tie Assembly's Permanent
Committee, us showing the advanced
ground now held by cur church, and the
zeal and energy with which our highest
representative body is pushing this great
reform.
The State of California will be the field
of the hardest battle, and the Synod OF
the Pacific would do well to study carefully
the special aspects of the temperance ques-
ton presented in this westernmost border
of Christian civilization. Our Sabbath
law has been repealed by the Legislature
solely at the demand Of the liquor trade,
and every law tending in any way to re-
strict the traffic is Systematically disrs-
| garded. We have one saloon to every 100
of our population In San Francisco, ac-
cording to a report of that Presbytery,
there is one saloon to every eleven voters.
The drinking habits of the population and
| the political power Of the saloons make
the question Of temperance very difficult
one But there is one feature of Califor-
MIA which may well make Us pause if we ex-
pect in this State quick and easy victory.
This is a wine-producing State, and every
year sees new vineyards started. Native
wine is already looked upon as one of the
staple products Of California, and the peo-
pie expect the wine trade will be far
greater than now in few years. The
prospect is that California will become
another France in the production of wine,
and although, to the careless observer, an
increased trade in wine seems like pros
perity, to the serious man it Is 4 dark cloud
overshadowing the future of our State.
We would report the following reSolu-
lutious:
l. That we cordially adopt the declaration Of
the General Assembly upon temperance as oui
expression upon this great subject.
,. We earnestly recommend the officers and
members OF our churches 10 avoid all compile
lily with the wine traffic, either III the produc
ton and sale OF wine or in the raising OF grapes
for the purpose
3. That the Permanent Committees on Ten
per8ncc be requested 10 examine the relation OF
the wine traffic Gi California 10 the progress Of
religion, and report at next meeting of synod
/ T. That Standing Rule No. Il be amended SC
that the Permanent Committee on Temperance
shall hereafter be composed of one minister and
I one elder from each presbytery. including tho
! Chairman Of the Committee on Temperance il
each Presbytery.
! 5. That we recommend the Presbyterial Com
mittee on Temperance 10 give diliCent attention
to this cause within their bounds, and especially
to ascertain and report statistics of the liquor
traffic and its attendant evils; and in this re
spect We would commend the Ptesbytery OF sal
Francisco for its publication of full report il
pamphlet form.
9. That we heartily commend the Women
Christian Temperance Union for their earnCs
and successful work, and we join With them il
their petition 10 the Evangelical Alliance 10 rs
sign one day to the cause OF temperance in th(
programme for the week of prayer IN january
1850
Z. That tho synod recommends the Prcsbyte
lies inc bounds 10 hold Temperance Institute
IN connection with their regular meetings, ~
recommended 10y the General Assembly.
:. That the synod recommends the Assembly
Permanent Committee on Temperance 10 lht
ibe.altty OF or churches and people