The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-11-27
CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE WORK.

The Duty OF Churches SD Church Msm-
.hers-suggeetions Of Pba for Garry.
ing on the Movement.
Doubtless there is little question In
the minds of most Christians that our
Lona and Master would have us do away
with the use Of alcoholic drinks. II isA
part OF His work and to promote the COM
ing Of His kingdom. II this Is true, sayss
writer In the National Temperance Ad-
vocate, then have we, as His church, .
right to turn It all over to other organt-
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 fead Alright. If Paul consid-
cred it his duty to preach 1t 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, tour church
members are all right now. Wo DO not
need such work."
Without stopping to inquire II 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, and 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 infiu.
ence to do much, and it can not afford
! to turn over so important 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 thu
children pure, and help adults intelh.
gently to "present their bodies living
sacrifice" This is the ultimate aim Of
ell genuine Temperance work, and II
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 q
simple plan which has helped others,
and which every church can modify to
suit it's own circumstances:
PLAN FOR CHURCH TEMPERANCE WORK.
Lett local church by its proper au'
!. thorities appoint a 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 fol-
the careful study Of the Temperance
lesson once q quarter; to give helpful
supplies to the primary class; to get
; Temperance books into the library and
Temperance papers for distribution to
J the entire school; and to secure place
for Temperance matter in all concert
exercises and entertainments.
CO. As soon as practicable, TO start and
7 conduct juvenile Temperance organ
+ ization, to meet weekly II possible dur
= ing at least part Of the year, in which
a there shall be study and recitation o,
: regular lessons. 1t should be managed
8 | like Sunday-school, with its own sup
: plies and times of meeting.
I 8. To secure monthly concert o.
a prayer for Temperance on the regular
8 prsyer-meeting evening, aquarterly o.
0 annual sermon, and the systematic anG
= iudicious distribution Of scientific and
Y religious Temperance literature To-
8 adults at these meetings and elsewhere
: 4. Other enterprises suggested by thu
Q local needs may follow; e. g., II there arr
: many homeless young men, have read
l ing-room in the evening opened eithel
r in the church or some other pleasant and
a convenient place, so that they need no
s be tempted into the saloons for warmth
and cheer. avg
III In order to keep this enterprise clos
n to the heart Of the church and to keel
o their steps in time, all the powers o
J. these committees should revert to tn
Q appointing power 1t the close Of tn
J. year. II desirable they can all or
K part of them be reappointed. This pro
q vision may be Q hindrance to some ex
}, tent, but in adapting itself to the condi
q tions of those who are to be taught, !
n is in harmony with the entire Christial
/, plan of redemption. Even Christ mad
is Himself as one Of us, and walked with tn
il humanity which He redeemed.