St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1895-06-07
TO HELP OR NOT TO HELP. WHYcH2

MS uuty. HOW these words have
thrilled many an English soldier with
earnest patriotism and daring
Have we not more reason to expect
the church of Chrst-each individual
soldier in the army OF our great Cap
tain-to be faithful to duty.
What then is the duty of the
Christian, redeemed with that price
less blood, loved with that endless
love, sent into the world to witness
tor the Lord who gave himself that
we might live? Certainly it cannot
be indifference to any question of
vital interest to this world that
Christ came to save.
Gamaliel was counted wise in his
day when he said, Refrain from
these men, and let them alone; for if
this counsel or this work be OF men
1t will come to naught; but if it be
OF God, We cannot overthrow it, lest
haply ye be found to fight against
God" But was he wise? Certainly
1t was better than persecution. But
was it enough to let alone that
which claimed to be of God?
If he had any idea that the man
whom the Jews had cruciied was
exalted by Gods right hand to be
Prince and Savior for to give re-
pentance to Israel and forgiveness of
SINS" ought he not earnestly to have
looked into the proofs of this claim,
and if he found it true, joined heart
and hand with those who were
ready to live and die in the service of
Jesus? He should have done this
both for his own salvation and
for the influence he might have in
leading others.
1t Gamaliel never got any farther
than to let alone the Church of
Christ, then he will be forever left
out of that victorious throng who
have washed their robes and made
them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Not to him belongs the honor OF the
wonderful missionary of the Apostle
Paul. 1t was the furious, persecut-
ing Saul who was his pupil.
Now are not some of our dear
Christian Sisters taking this attitude
Of Gamalel toward the Temperance
cause? They do not persecute nor
oppose, but they let us alone. When
we come together for our monthly
meetings, they are not there; their
names are not on the pledge, and
their money does not help forward
the work. Christian Sisters, we be-
lieve this work is Of more than hui
man origin. We believe that God
has moved our hearts to work for
him; that He has given us something
to do for Home and Native Land.
Who that loves Him is willing to be
left out?
Why should not every Christian
woman be member OF the Woman $
Christian Temperance Union? Why
should not every Christian man be
numbered in this or some other Tenn
perance organization?
l believe it is in the power Of the
Christian people of Vermont to close
the saloons which disgrace our state.
| believe it is in the power of the
Churches in our whole country to
Danish the saloon from the land.
And it will be done. If it is not done
speedily it is because some who bear
Christ's name are Indifferent.
Habakkuk gives us wonderful
picture of the liquor traffic:
wine is a treacherous dealer, a
naughty man and that keepeth not
at home; who enlargeth his desire as
hell, and he is death, and cannot be
satisfied, but gathereth unto him all
nations, and heapeth unto him all
people"
Christian friends, this is the enemy
we have to fight. Let us with one
heart join in rescuing from his grasp
our perishing brothers and sisters
and bringing them in to be number
ed with that great multitude which
no man can number of all nations
and kindreds, and peoples, and
tongues, who will stand before the
throne praising their God and Sa-
vior.-[ Mrs. !. F. Whitney.