The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-05-15
Church Pro Temperance, NO. I.
"a Plea for Constituency
Norfolk. May IA, 1896.

IA flea for Consistency
Norfolk. May IA, 1896
Editor the Virginian:
This nineteeth century will stand pre-
eminent in the Christian era as marking
great advances in art, science and civili-
cation. But the heading OF this article
suggests the inquiry, VIII the horoscope
or the twentieth century he suspicious
Tor posterity. when the moral horizon of
the closing nineteenth cannot be clearly
dlscerped, owing to clouds that overhaug
the political skies of the Republic.
Just here the author of these articles
would state for the information of all
concerned that ne is writing for the solu-
ton OF interesting problems and not
with the least intent to be personal to-
wards any individual or any institution.
Organization on certain lines, profess
ediy Christian, yet not only comprising
temperance colosing. but also comprising
highly political features, has now grown
to such magnitude as to bring CONFUSION
INTO aHatrs, and 10 menace the safety of
both Church and State. 1t is the part of
every citizen 10 study the situation as II
may De viewed to-day to ascertain clear
~ MS duties in the premises. There Is
so much heard about duty to-day that
TO solve the complicated problem would
be public benefit, and to go ahead in
the mists OF doubt and madness would
L
clearly the duty of everyone to adopt
this Shakespesrean motto: 20, while you
live, tell truth, and shame the devil" A
certain highly respected sisterhood has
put on the nations lap twin sisters. the
one TEMPERANCE, OFFICE-SEEK-
INC PARTY; the other CHURCH
TEcNfPERANCE-PO PARTY,
and the prevailing idea is SO to unite the
two as to constitute formidable force
that will revolution!ze the Republic.
May what Is right prevail?
The prism Of true light when properly
placed, will surely reveal all the colo,ings
In this menstrous sentiment.
!. What Is temperance? A cardinal
Christian virtue, which is possessed by
the believer, when he has realized the
new birth. ST. eter in his second epistle
furnishes the following list: "Faith.
virtue. knowledge, temperance, &c"
And Paul reasoned of righteousness,
temperance, and judgment to come"
Where the word occurs II is not once
marked by any special prominence
but merely has its place along with other
Christian graces. Let 1t. however, suffice
In this connection that 1t comes about by
processes according 10 the divine law,
which u an eternal fiX!ty. No wind
or doctrine should be allowed to shake q
mans faith In this color of temperance.
z. The temperance of the pledge signers
not possessed of any evangelical virtue,
as 1t carries no legal force to confer
church privileges. 1t simply requires the
candidate TO quit drink, and is good only
as far as it goes. The believer does not
need 1t. as his church vows compass all
Christian duties.
3. Temperance in the w. CT. u. that
Organization for universal beneficience.
presents another phase which makes IL
positively belligerent in it's attitude to
all spirits from the consecrated ele-
ments of the Eucharist to the most adul-
terated of pale liquors. There is such a
plausible variety OF departments in this
Institution and the trend OF work is so
much in the line of civilization In gene
raj and OF political endeovor in particular
that 1t does no: require the essential seal
or evangelical temperance In order TO
full membership in it's ranks
All Nlts meritous qualities will never
justify Its substitution for gospel tenn
peiance. or allow II to affect In the lea
Christian character in temperance as IL
must obtain under strict obedience to
church discipline. In short no man.
or organization has the authority to
require an individual 20 subscribe. or
conform, to any pledge, or rules outside
OF his church VOWS to establish the fact
that he is doing his duty as a Christian.
The temperance" OF "2" and 80" are as
far removed from the temperance of re-
generation as the East is from the West.
4. Temperance, as the term applies to
politics. whether in Prohibition or Citi-
zenS'-Reform, may SO depreciate that
adherence to 1t cannot hold as any re-
spectacle test OF Christian virtue or
fidelity to believers principles. Not tina
the man in 1t may not be good, but en-
phatically the fact of being in ii makes
no man any better. Reform" is the
Shibboleth 10 admission into this or
ganization, and when the Cody man
has entered this temperance office-sesk-
ing party he may be badly mixed up"
before he knows ii. That transcendent
Cody element, Pauline temperance can
we'll nigh losel its Identity by contao.
with all shades of political temperance
There Is a gulf fixed by laws of truth
between the nights 'and depths of this
question OF temperance, over which
Christian consistency can not pass with
out sustaining a fatal fall
EUREKA.