Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1906-07-25

austerity would cause hundreds of
thousands of their neighbors to de-
spise and ridicule the Christian re-
lieion, and to cherish more fondiy the
ahominations OF idolatry. Do total
abstainers understand any better that
aus Gritty as to the use Of alcoholic
liouor does harm, as 1ell as good !
Do they understand that their prac-
tice is a stumblingblock to many ?
Dothey understand that they destroy
the character Of some "weak' men by
driving them into hypocrisy Do
thew understand that this hypocrisy
has brought ridlcule upon the cause
of temperance Do they understand
that this hypocrisy has mad 1T by
word that whi,key is the "favorite
medicine" of total abstainars! Do
they understand that many silly peo-
pie believe that there is not a real
total abstainer on the earth? Do they
understand that, consequently, total
abstainers may not be allie to do more
for Temperance than men who drink
but little. and drink that little openly?
All! Mr.. Editor, the inspired wisdom
Of the apostle was notat fault.when ne
commended the exercise OF chaIaty to
both partie. alike.
i he principle announced by the
apostle Paul ia general one. The
same principle was announced by
| Christ-"whoever he be of you
that forsaketh not all that he hath.
he can not be my disciple" There
is no doubt that the principle ap-
plies to the right to drink alco-
holis liquor temperateiy; and
there is no doubt trat it applies
to every other right With which
men have been endowed. We have
the right to hold property. We
have the right to marry. We have
the right to choose our dwelling.
places. But we are instructed to
surrender any or all of these
rights whenever we are convinced
that tho highest good of our fell
low-men requires it,
Our right to hold property, MIR.
Editor, involves a grave RESPONSE
bility. Some Of us spend hundteds
of dollars every year for things
that are not essential to health.
We buy exquisite Easter hats fol
cur wives. We buy dainty robes
for our babies. We buy expensive
clothing for ourselves. We buy
rubber-tired buggies. We buy
magnificent dw"lling=bouses. We
buy beautiful furniture. And
while we are enjoying these luxu'
rioa, millions Of men aud women
who spend thar lives in lgnoranct
aud iiolatry are, every year, going
away to their everlasting resi-
deuce. Is it not probable, Mr
Editor, that such selflshness makes
some of our poorer brethren
aweak? ?" Is it not o fact hat the
Socialists have alienated some ol
them from the church by telling
some falsebood and too much
truth on us? Are we discharged
from his fearful responsibility by
contributing to the church frag-
ment Of our income, and by doing
little work for temperance?
1t is clear, however. that ev ~
man must decide for bImself as
10 when it bphooves bim to sur
render q right. In the sixteenth
verse of he second chapter OF
Colossians: the apostle says; "Let
no man, therefore, judge you in
meat, or in drink, or in respect OF
a holyday, or Of the new moon, OF
of the sabbath days" We may
advise a brother as to the sur
render of a right; but he must
consider the circumstances pecu-
Sliarsto him, ,Mand must decide the
lmatter for himself and at his own
peril.
| be ieve that some wealthy men
in EdgeAeld County would d.
their feIlcw-men more good by
giving half of.their property tc
The common schools of their com.
munities than by giving it all to
their children. Of that, however,
these wealthy men must Judge. ]
uelieva that you, Mr. Editor
you'd do your fellow-men more
good than you can nave the op-
portuuity of doing in Edgefeld
County, if you should sell your
property mere, invest it IN India,
live among the inhabitants of that
country, and instruct them in
civilization and Christianity. OF
that, however, you must judge.
Some of the Nazarites with whom
Christ and John the Baptist came
in contact taught and practiced
total abstinence. John, under the
circumstances peculiar to him,
deemed it his duty to surrender
the right to drink wine temperate
ly. Christ, under the circumstan-
ces peculiar to him.. deemed it his
duty not to surrender that right.
Each Judged for himself. So, too,
must every man, at his own peril,
Judge for himself as to when 1t
becomes his duty to surrender the
right to drink alcoholic liquor
temperately, or any other right
with which he is invested.
TEMPERANCE.
SITpT OF EDrCATTON