The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1895-11-29

hard as it is to go behind the word of man
who says he is sick, they who hold the key to
the door, i'll the power of prescription, cannot
well be too careful. In cases of hubitual drink
ers they can wisely and safely and rightly re-
fuse, and ought to do so.
But back of all this must be the sentiment of
the people demanding the faithful enforce
ment of the law, because it is the law and be-
cause the public safety and welfare demand it.
such laws, backed 10y public sentiment, have
seen thoroughly enforced and with excellent
results, in two Othor communities where |
have lived. But remember. it is only police
regulation after all, and no prohibition will
stop some men from intcmperance, only it
conduces to good order. and ST me men it helps
by making it difficult for them to obtain
strong drink.
But for any genuine reformation the will of
the victim must be aroused and he must him
self voluntarily determine and labor to restrain
himself Then. if he pray, will help from a
source Divine be his and, clothed and in his
right mind, he will go forth to tell his fellow
men what great things the Lord hath done for
him."
Let me lift the finger of warning to you who
esteem yourselves moderate drinkers" Let
me implore you to have, at least once Il year, II
reckoning with your habit and see who is
maStcr-''to keep under your body and bring
it into subsection"
If you use liquors, have them only on your
table, like other food and drink. Let me urge
upon all to consider the weak BROTHER to
reflect upon the call to self-denial that some
times comes most strongly even to the tenn
perute.
And let me ask those Mt whose instance l
have preached this sermon to consider these
points: First, whether, though perfectly right
to set before them the evils of intcmpcrance
and plead with them To determine in their
hearts to avoid this sin, it is wise or right to
call upon, to urge, or even to ask, i'll the Sun
day-school to sign pledges of abstinence, as is
suggested i'll the circular sent to me-whether
il is appealing to proper motives to have. as
there suggested, pledge roll of homer, to be
framed and hung upon the wall, with t. e
names of all the signers, and after each tenn
perance Sunday the name of all new sgners.
| 1t seems to me to come perilOuSly near to de-
nying them the exercise of free, untramelled
choice-and that such things should ut least be
postponed to years of discretion. 1t is liable to
become veritable seed-bed of Pharisaism.
I'd Is il fair to assert, as did the eloquent
advocate of Prohibition who recently spoke at
| the Court House, THAT all believers in good
| citizenship, all lovers of temperance who fail
to follow that lead are cowardly and insin-
cere." Truth to tell it takes more real indie
pendence fo- minister to speak as L have
done than TO follow with his class and say and
| do what is expected of him.
Sd. Let them ponder well Gods way of
dealing with man and the difference between
| the law of abstinence and the law of temper
ance. l have said what honestly believe. l
pray you count me lover of my fellow men.
pray you reckon me amongst the true lovers
of temperance. God, grant that nothing have
said lead any brother to intemperance. If |
| have spoken wrong may He forgive my ignor.
ance; and may He give me grace, in this and
all things, to be truly temDerate-'"To keep
under my body and bring it into subsection,
lest that by any means when have preached
| to others myself should be a castaway.h
When the Chill Mists of the Morning
4