Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1889-09-14
TEMPERANCE
Viewed from the Standpoint OF
the Church.

| v x0"OO AAS4A s>~S
the Church.
An Address delivered by Rev. Henry d. NOR
riII of the Episcopal Church, in the court nooil
in wa-Keeney ON Sunday, Sept 8, 1889.
swine is mocker, strong drink Is
raging: and whosoever is dec elved there
by is not wise.I[PrOO. Xxx, ~.
What are the two giant evils OF the
world?
.Intemperance and infidelity."
One addresses the body, the other the
mind. To Materialist, believing in the
reason and the senses, as the total OF hu-
man being, these two sins are of supreme
import; for as the one racks and ruins
the body, so the other undermines the In
tellect. To Christian, who believes in a
body, mind and soul, the evils are hardly
less destructive, even if the soul may in
time rise from the depths to which she
has been thrust. Intemperance carries
with it, not only the habit of strong
drinks, but also all excuses in whatever
affects the senses. Thus, impurity is a
sister vice to intoxication, and the use of
drugs and narcotics should be included
in the same category. I do not intend to
harrow up your feelings with portrayal
of the dreadful facts that seem like hid
eous dream to the pure thoughts of those
who have not become familiar by contact
with the various phases of misery and
wretchedness resulting from indulgence
I simply wish to direct your thoughts to
consideration Of this question viewed
from the standpoint of the church. The
church has been unjustly blamed for her
attitude in relation to prohibition, the
use of tobacco, wine in the communion,
and kindred topics. This is the result of
misunderstanding the true position of the
church, and her reasons for taking the
stand she does. In regard to the proper
wine for the Holy Eucharist, I quote
from the address of the Bishop of Maine,
to the clergy of his Diocese, in their an
nual convention:
''The material or natural elements of
the Holy Sacraments are of Christ's own
ordination, and may not be changed on
any plea. Bread and wine are, by His ex-
press institution, the material elements of
the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, and
it would be nothing less than sacrilege to
substitute others for them. It is argued,
however, and the authority of certain en-
inent biblical scholars has been cited in
support OF the argument, not only that
the use of the unfermented juice of the
grape, in the celebration of the Holy Sac
rament, is virtual compliance with the
command of the Institutor, but that He
himself used and ordained this at the in
stitution. Such statements may serve to
exonerate those who are misled by them,
from the charge of wilfully perverting a
divine ordinance, but no scholar, and
none who have respect for the universal
teaching and usage of the church should
be misled by them. They are simply sad
examples OF special pleading, in a case
where mere speciousness of argument is
least of all tolsrable, and where there
should be the utmost singleness of desire
to know and obey the truth"
1 think the above statement voices the
mind of the church on this issue, and H.
Illustrates the wisdom of the position taken
by the church on this, as on all other
matters. The church is conservative
since she is catholic. If the church had
swerved from her position in the war of
the Rebellion, the church North and the
church South would not now exist in the
pleasant bonds of brotherly love as they
do to-day. If the church we're to take
stand in one state, that she could not do
IN another, the result would soon follow.
The church cannot swerve hairs breadth
from the line of truth, justice and fidelity.
She simply asks, what is right; not what
is expedient. It is this element in the
doctrinal teaching of the church that SO
endears her to the loyalty of the hearts
and minds of her followers.
OF the use of tobacco in any of its
many forms, smoking, chewing, shutting
the church lays down the general rule
the individual conscience must be the
Judge whether these habits are wrong,
and opposed to the profession of follower
OF Christ, or not. Whatever is injurious
to the body, mind or soul, directly or in
directly, is surely wrong, and should not
be done by any one who is truly consist
ent and conscientious. That people dis
agree as to the effects of tobacco, does
not alter the truth of the position above
taken, and every one must regulate his
conduct accordingly.
In regard to the ruin caused by drink,
let us listen to the confession of one who
has suffered and fallen:
Il had position high and holy. The
demon tore from around me the robes of
my sacred Office, and sent me forth
'hurchless and goddess, q very Kissing
and byword among men. Afterward my
voice was heard in the courts. But the
lust gathered on my open books, and no