The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1915-06-11

For reasons of personal character.
A Personal Testimony.
1. I believe alcohol would injure
me physically. I have tried to make
myself intelligent on the subject, and
have read good authorities on both
sides of the case While there is a
difference Of opinion among wise men
as to whether alcohol may not some
times be given incidentally with bene-
fetal results, there seems to be unan-
unity that it's use in any other way is
only harmful. AS man may be in.
different to my physical condition in
some respects, and be willing to pay
the cost Of certain indulgences; but as
a Christian / am not at liberty to do
this, for if I am to glorify God in my
body, that body must be at its best al.
ways.
2. But what Injuries me physically,
will sooner or later injure me morally
as we'll Indeed the effects of alcohol
in this sphere are seen and admitted
more readily than in the other, and
yet they are only the outgrowth Of
the other. When mans physical and
mental powers are weakened his
moral strength is easily assailed, and
hence blasphemy, ingratitude, anger
murder. licentiousness, dishonesty,
and the whole brood Of vileness and
iniquity that makes the civilized earth
a continual groan. My self-respect,
to name no higher motive for the mo-
ment, will not permit me to deliberate
ly contribute to this misery and woe.
g. 1t is the injury to me spiritually
though, that has the strongest power
in withholding the cup from my lips.
l know that / am an immortal being,
and that l must give account to him
who shall judge the quick and the
dead And l know that there is for
me a future of eternal blessedness or
sorrow, and sorrow not only for what
I have lost, but for what I must ex-
perience in retribution for my sins. l
am afraid Of hell, and l am not afraid
to say that / am afraid of hell. The
drunkard shall not inherit the king
dom of heaven, and l want to inherit
it, and I will not be such a fool, God
helping me, as to sell that birthright
for a drink of beer or glass of toddy.
My Duty to My Neiehbor.
But all this is merely personal, it
is my duty to myself; but my obliga-
ton is broader, and I have a duty to
my neighbor too.
1. There is the duty of my exam.
pie. The apostle Paul by inspiration
Of the Holy Spirit brings this out very
clearly in Chapter of First Corin-
thians. / may feel that personally
am at liberty to do as I please in a
matter of this kind, may drink it
or let it alone" but not If somebody
else will be caused to stumble because
do not let it alone. l may thus cause
him to perish for whom Christ died,
and it will be difficult under such cir
cumstances to give an account of my
stewardship with joy. The murder of
\ neighbor's soul is more serious than
the murder Of his body.
2. There is the duty of my vote.
What right have I as Christian citi-
zen to cast my ballot for traffic that
damns mems souls? There was q
time in my experience when 1 was
not so keen upon this point. I felt
had done my whole duty when l
preached the Gospel and showed men
how they might be saved from sin
through faith in Jesus Christ I still
believe this paramount, and nothing
must be permitted to stand in its way.
but have not done all when I have
done that There is the dram shop on
the corner. snare set by the devil for
my neightor's feet. AS Christian cit
izen, have the privilege and respon-
sibility of saying whether I would
have it there or not, and can preach
the Gospel with more consistency
and power when by my ballot I an
swer no.
The State Tempter.
This brings me to the text. Who
Is giving his neighbor drink? Who is
putting the bottle to his lips? Who
is making him drunk? Is it straining
the situation to say that the state
does this when it legalizes the sale of
Intoxicating drink and profits by it?
But what is the state in a democracy,
except the aggregation of the individu,
is who compose 1t? And who are
these individuals in great proportion,
save those who profess to know Goo
and Jesus Christ his Son. and obey his
commandments? o church members
let us throw off our lethargy and in
difference, and in the light Of the Sec
ond great table of the law, clear our
skirts of our brothers blood.