River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1891-07-16
The Drink Curse and the Church.

If three-fOurthS of all chaTch-mem.
bers would unreservedly exercise their
influence against the making, selling
and using of Intoxicating drink. child
rem even now born might live to a
time when crimes are no longer COM
mitted under the influence of strong
drink, and when there will be no oc-
casion for anyone to weep over a
drunkard's grave. Is not therefore
the church from now on responsible
for the continuance, and especially for
the increase, of drunkenness and its
destruction Of human character and
life and of property, as well as for all
the evils it brings upon society!
Here is an immense scope for home
missionary work, in educating the
members of all churches to a proper
comprehension of the necessity for
themselves TO abstain from the use of
strong drink in their families, in their
worship and in their own lives.
Science and experience show that al
cohol, the root of all intoxicants, has
no noqrishment for the human body,
and is not needed as beverage or in
food for health or real comfort. And
wherein a thing is of no use it will
work harm if employed. The Chris
tan will not employ anything contrary
TO It's divinely implanted use; and all
ought to be convinced by daily obser-
walton that to indulge in any love of
strong drink is contrary to the law of
Christian uses. This is therefore not
a hopeless field for the Christian to
work in.
Here is noble Christian work for all
Christians; and if all are faithful the
world will be speedily redeemed from
its greatest curse; for nothing else is
SO potent in unfolding immortality and
crime and drunkenness. But can all
christians be awakened to a proper con-
ception of this their urgent duty!
Woman is the great reformer, but
from her position in society, and by
her very nature, she follows the lead
ing Of the man. She even followed
him with the temperance cause into
politics in which her voice is silenced.
Direct the attention of Christian
women to the church in this impor-
tant matter, and wonders will rapidly
follow her untiring work there, Let
her see that the church has power To
Danish drunkenness from the earth,
and her whole life Will go forth as an
irresistible stream that will not only
purify the church from all intoxi.
cants, but make it a power before
which no maker and vender of intoxi
eating drink can stand.
Money is the god of the world, and
his worshippers make great efforts tC
extend the liquor business because il
is very profitable. Who would en-
gage in such cruel and degrading
business if it were not profitable! But
many persons who are not willing t.
engage in the business still give il
their acquiescing influence, because
they regard it as one of the worlds
great industries from which govern
ments derive large revenues. But Cal
the Christians voice be silenced by
this influence, when he is shown how
many human victims tn Want, suffer
| ing, crime and eternal destruction
are required to make the liquor bust
ness profitable.
Not all who are in the churches arr
Christians; but by the aid of Christian
women the churches viii soon b'
made SO pure externally as to make il
intolerable for any one to be a mem
Der who is not willing on all sides Il
give his influence in favor of physical
moral and religious purity. Moderate
drinking can lind no support or ever
liberation in purely christian church
And her influence Is great in the
world. That there is more drunken
ness in Christian countries than il
heather, anu that Christian nation: