The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-11-23
CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE WORK.

The Duty of Churches and Church Nom.
bers-Suggestions of Plan for Garry.
ing on the Movement.
Doubtless there is little question in
the minds of most Christians that our
Lord and Master would have us do away
with the use of alcoholic drinks. 1t is a
part of His work and to promote the COM
ing of His kingdom. If this is true, saysa
writer in the National Temperance Adj
vocate, then have we, as His church,
right to turn it all over to other organi-
cations, no matter how high their hopes
or how loud their professions of ability?
Temperance is Scriptural require
ment for individual life. The Bible is
full of it if read Alright. If Paul consid-
cred it his duty to preach it and to
teach it, why should not the best minds
of the leaders in the Christian churches
of to-day aid in solving this difficult
problem, and all the membership work
for it?
But" the reply is made, 'our church
members are all right now. We do not
need such work"
Without stopping to inquire if there
be any church of which this is strictly
true, we claim that just in proportion as
it is true that church is fitted to teach
Temperance, '-;sT.5-it has duty in that
direction. Science is the handmade of
Religion in this matter of total absti-
nence, and Religion ought not to turn
over to the handmade all this great and
important work. Whoever accomplishes
this work must have power and infiC-
ence to do much, and it can not afford
to turn over so important a work to the
leadership of other organizations, and
perhaps see the people thus led away
from the church.
The church can not lead politically,
but it can do an immense amount Of
total-abstinence teaching, keep the
children pure, and help adults intelli-
gently to present their bodies living
sacrifice" This is the ultimate aim of
all genuine Temperance work, and it
has the promise of this life and of that
which is to come.
We are persuaded that there are many
churches that would take up work in the
Temperance line if they could see their
way clear to do so without being torn in
pieces. To aid these we formulate
simple plan which has helped others,
and which every church can modify to
suit its own circumstances:
PLAN FOR CHURCH TEMPERANCE WORK.
Let the local church by its proper au-
thorities appoint small Temperance
committee favoring educational work.
Let this committee find suitable per-
sons in the church to conduct several
lines of work. such as
l. In the Sunday-school to provide for
| the careful study of the Temperance
lesson once quarter; to give helpful
supplies to the primary class; to get
Temperance books into the library and
Temperance papers for distribution to
the entire school; and to secure a place
for Temperance matter in all concert
exercises and entertainments.
{ 2. AS soon as practicable, to start and
conduct a Juvenile Temperance organ
ization, to meet weekly if possible dur
ing at least part of the year, in which
there shall be study and recitation Of
regular lessons. 1t should be managed
like a Sunday-school, with its own sup
plies and times of meeting.
8. To secure a monthly concert of
| prayer for Temperance on the regular
prayer-meeting evening, a quarterly or
annual sermon, and the systematic and
judicious distribution of scientific and
religious Temperance literature for
adults at these meetings and elsewhere.
4. Other enterprises suggested by the
local needs may follow; e. g., if there are
many homeless young men, have read
ing-room in the evening opened either
in the church or some other pleasant and
convenient place, so that they need not
be tempted into the saloons for warmth
and cheer
In order to keep this enterprise close
to the heart of the church and to keep
their steps in time, all the powers Of
these committees should revert to the
appointing power at the close of the
year. If desirable they can all or
part of them be reappointed. This pro-
vision may be hindrance to some ex-
tent, but in adapting itself to the condi-
tons of those who are to be taught, it
is in harmony with the entire Christian
plan of redemption. Even Christ made
Himselfas one ofus, and walked with the
humanity which He redeemed.
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