The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-12-13
Highess Of amin Leaxcnin strenrn-lates. s Cow, p,
Reply To Timothy.
Norfoil;. No +


me gentleman from East Norfolk. I'm
ms reply of the nth instant, expresses
himself with becoming candor and
makes declaration of cnviable manll-
ness Tor himself anu his sons rs follows:
can tru'hfully say that no man has
ever seen me take any spirits and no
man has ever told me that they have
ever seen any of my boys take any
alcoholic drinks" This ds excellent
testimony as far rs II goes, and no doub,
!he author or the assertion Is among the
best men of Norfolk. We could wish
All were as conscientious as he. 1t is
now fact. as appears from the above.
mat he has virtually spiked his guns
anu joined me in contcnding for victory
ny moran Suas!on or appeal to the will
OF the individual. lie stands to-day a
living cNcmplar Of triumph not by de-
stiuct!on of whskey. but by force of
VIII power In obedience to the example
of the two old PATRIOTS" In speaking Of
whom nc said: II have taken them for
my guide" No better illustration thnn
this could he found to establish the
sounGncss of the theory advocated in
all the replies | have made Not de-
Struction of elements. but education that
lifts the individual above the abuse Of
thihSs' by d!nt Of will power, enlight-
encu ana sustained by, truth ana grace
10 have lived sixty years in the midst
or the liquor trailic and abuse of nlco-
hoiic spirits and To be able to say neither
rather nor sons have been seen 30 touch
IL. Is PROOF the strongest kind that all
others may improve this exalted privl-
ieSc and set rs illustrations an example
apprehcnd that in The enlightenment
ana civilization and religion of this
nineteenth century one may take high
ground In the treatment of the grand
subject OF the bettcrment of the human
race. Sclt-reSpect, Sclf-rcliance and
faith in God are the three cardinal les
sons in the system of orthodox teaching
10 elevate man in the scale of noble
independence and true excellence q
TO take from around man the things
that are the occasion of tcmptation
would be to destroy the very clements
which enter Into the economy of his
PROBATION as being accountable to God
That system Of ethics, or OF religion. Is
extremely faulty that would undertake
10 teach this generation that in order
10 be able TO be sober and virtuous Il Is
necessary To take away from sight and
hide away from view those things, the
abuse OF which makes bad men and
women.
Speaking of the ministers and men,
bcrs OF his denomination the gentle
man says: III they would work against
this evil as they should 1t would not
have the power over the people 1t now
has If they preach the gospel and set
examples Of Christian purity. what
more can they do? The greatest privi-
ieSc NouCHSalcu unucr the gospel dis
pensat!on is 10 live pure lives, not by
destroying things which dehlc, but by
Keeping 'unspotted from the world"-
not destroying the world.
Putty men, or men MS shown In wax
works, have to be manipulated by all
attendant to make them perform their
parts. Believers would be no more I'm
the church than the above, were every
thing destroyed that tcmpts to wrong
Religion would be nothing more than an
automatic concern. But the effort to
overcome temptation, the great trial of
faith in the midst of opposite elements
and the great triumph OF patience I'm the
Christian race, make the crown glorious
at last. 1t was just such besetments
that enabled st. Paul ut the close of his
life to say: II have fought good fight
| have finished my course, | have kept
the faith; henceforth there is laid up for
me crown"
The chief study TO engage the mind of
the church at this time is not how to
destroy things, but how to influence the
mind OF men. system of mento-
moral dynamics is the highest point to
be attained in lifting the human race to
a higher and better plane is the knowl-
edge of living. Parents and teachers
and church members should study the
human Will and cndeavor to bring II
under influence of light and love to
make righteousness. a volume might
he written on this subject. but enough.
The following closes the gentleman's
last reply: IF the manufacture of spir-
its of any kind is a friend to humanity,
then all / have said is wrong" The
laboratory. pharmacy. materia -medica
and even the Eucharist find use for
spirits of some kind TIMOTHY.