Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1890-03-06

to which multitudes 70 men and women
are plunged by the grosser forms of al
coholic drinking. Mrs. Booth and her
associates of the Salvation Army seek,
in the name of Jesus, to in
duce these poor, wretched Great
ures to abandon the drink as q
step toward rehabilitation and the bet
ter life. IN some cases, with such as
are quite below the range of ordinary
church ard mission agencies, they are
very successful in their rescue work,
but it is done at great disadvantage, all
the greater on account of the pernicious
example of some well-to-do members of
churches and of here and there popu-
lar wine-drinking doctor of divinity.
The Christian principle of abstinence,
as officially interpreted by nearly all
Protestant churches, is of universal APP
plication and should govern the elegant
private and public banquet halls Of
Fifth avenue and the state dinners at
the White House as we'll as in the
slums of the metropolis Fashion prop
agates downwards, not less in the mat
ter of drinking usages than with respect
to dress and other social customs. To
every true Christian the bond of broth
erhood-concern for the temporal and
eternal welfare of the tempted weaker
brother-will be paramount to the self
ish dictates Of worldly fashion.
Among Christian people the total-ab-
stinence reform has in recent years
made marked and most gratifying
progress. The official deliverances of
nearly all denominations are unequivo-
cally in its favor. Such ministers as are
publicly known not to be abstainers
have their influence for good largely dis
counted. Outside of the wealthy social
circles OF our large cities wine-bibbing
Christians are scandal to their fellow
commandments. The grosser forms Of
alcoholic indulgence which obtained in
some instances in religious circles half
century ago have been wholly abol-
ished. But there remains still an inn
portant work for earnest, uncompromis-
ing Christians to do to win over to the
side of abstinence such of their fellow
members as yet adhere TO aesthetic, mod
crate it may be, but still dangerous So
cial drinking usages. Who will do for
the wine-drinkers of wealthy church
circles as faithful establishments mis-
sion service as the Salvationists are do
ing for the slums?
In recent years great prominence has
been given to the legislative and politi-
cal aspect Of the Temperance reform.
We do not incline to depreciate in any
wise its Importance. But primarily the
hope and permanence Of the Temper
ance reformation lies in the general
prevalence of genuine Christian
public sentiment which shall enjoin
upon every individual soul the religious
duty of abstinence, for his or her own
sake, and on account of others, from wine
and all other intoxicants. Such pub
lie opinion the National Temperance
Society, through its literature and
otherwise, is endeavoring to create. In
Its wake the right statutes, we'll en-
forced, will be sure to follow. In this
Christian crusade against wine, and all
other inebriating beverages, there
should at this juncture be general re-
vival, and every one who takes tho
Masters name should join therein,
with purse, heart, and soul. Let each
Abstain from all appear
ance of evil" Il Thess. V. 22); and so far
as the alcoholic wine-cup is concerned,
in society or at the uncomfortable,
that: at is good neither to
eat flesh, nor to drink VINE, nor any
thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or
is offended, or is made weak" rom.
xiv, EDUCATIONAL Temperance Adyo-
cate.