The Newtown bee., 1892-01-01

east, to fill Il mud hOle?- Big n.
TIE TEMPERANCE QUESTION IN TIE Pull
PIT.
1t must ever be conceded that politics,
as simple politics, can have no proper
place in an evangelical pulpit. But the
duties of Christian citizens, as polite
ians, or in any other sphere of life touch
ing moral questions, are the proper sub
jects to be treated in the Christian pulpit.
Yea, it is one of the imperative duties of
Gods ambassadors to point out the sins
of the people and to enlighten them as to
all their moral obligations.
Gods command is, Isaiah LVIII, l,
"Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice
like trumpet and declare unto my peo-
pie their transgression, and to the house
of Jacob their sins" Compare Titus /,
1915.
Now this temperance question has
political side, because, by the license sys-
TEN, the government has become IA part
her In the saloon rattle, sharing the prof
it's in the form Of a license Zee, which, in
a measure, is regulated according to the
profits the saloon j. expected To make.
Again, this temperance question has its
political side, because, through the part
nership of the State. the saloons have be-
come most dominant power in all
branches OF our government.
But, on the other hand this temper
anCe question has 1t decided moral bear
ing even in its political a-pct. For no
one. ut this day, can doubt for Il moment
the demoralizing effect of he saloon traf-
fic on the Legislatures OF the nation, or
on the executive branches of our govern
ment as at present administered, causing
the officers of the law to falsify their
oath. Then, again, the license fee acts
as bride to many voters, influencing
them to sanction and pcrpetuate, by their
votes, that which they know TO be one of
the greatest iniquities and most prolific
source Of crime and evil in our day
God declares, Deuteronomy, XVII,
%, 'Cursed is he that taketh II reward to
Stay all innocent person. Also Isaiah V,
- and %, "Woe unto them that are
mighty to drink wine and men OF strength
to mingle strong drink; which justify
the wicked for reward (bribe) and take
away the righteousness of the righteous
from him." IC seems to me that God
could hardly, by the prophet, have more
clearly portrayed the true iuwardness
and wickeduess Of our license system
than in these passages, >howing the MOI al
responsibility of the citizen on the politi-
cal side OF this question. AS We read
again, Psalms XCIV, 20, '.Shall the
throne of wickedness have fellowship
with thee which frameth mischief by
statute? They gather themselves togeth-
er against the soul of the righteous and
condemn the innocent Blood
This passage clearly describes the
working of the saloon domination in pol
tiles and, therefore, the duty of the pull
pit to set forth the immortality and wick
edness of this, even on the political side
of the question. But, again, this tenn
perance question has also direct moral
side, apart from it's political aspect, and
so becomes the special subject for pulpit
discussion. Yea, which it is the impera-
tive duty of the evangelical pulpit to
place squarely and fully before the
Christian community and 10 sheW Christ
ians their moral responsibility before
God. iu their stand toward this question.
..No drunkard shall inherit the kingdom
OF heaven.- It IN the duty of che Christ
ian pulpit TO constantly present to the
Christian mind the character and effect
Of this saloon traffic, in it, neral aspect
and terrible results tor evil ia the com
munity. For, Indeed, much ignorance
prevails among the masses as TO the rea
effect Of the saloon traffic and many are
az blinded by their PARTISAN zeal thai
they do not see their moral responsible
ity, not To say culpabiliGy, in npholdinl
ana perpetuaring this monstrous niquity
through their party sanction and consen
10 the evil
No ono can deny that the saloon trafh'
delnoralizes the community, impedes ant
destrU, much Of the work OF the churcb
X ,egradrs all who become its custo
u,ers, blunts their moral perception 81
that rhcy cannot see their own degra
dation, thus preparing them for ever.
f,,rns Of viIeness and crime. Again, NJ
one can DEM that intemperancc STAY
thousands ~ human victims yearly an
that these, while on their way TO To
drunkard's grave and drunkard's bell
bring untold misery and woe ~ thons
apds of Innocent persons. One who ha
kept account. as recorded in the dali
papers ill.st ISL under Der notice, foul.