The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1915-06-03
For reasons of a personal character.
A Personal Testimony.


/. | believe alcohol would iniure
me physically. / have tried to make
myself intelligent on the subject, and
have read good authorities on both
sides of the case. While there Is
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 its use in any other way Is
only harmful. AS a man / may be in
different TO my physical condition in
some respects, and be willing to pay
the cost of certain indulgences; but as
Christian | am not at liberty to do
this, for If ! am to glorlfy 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 well. Indeed the effects OF alcohol
in this sphere are seen and admitted
more readily than in the othe 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. RIGHTEOUSNESS, 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
8. It Is the injury to me spiritually
though. that has the strongest power
in Withholding the cup from my lips
| know that | am an immortal being
and that | must give account to him
who shall Judge the quick and the
dead. And | know that there Is fol-
me a future of eternal blessedness OF
sorrow, and sorrow not only for what
have lost, but for what ! must ex
perience in retribution for my sins.
am afraid OF hell, and am not afrait
to say that am afraid of hell. The
drunkard shall not inherit the king
dom of heaven, and I want to inherit
It, end | will not be such fool, Goo
helping me, as to sell that birthrigh
for a drink of beer or a glass OF toddy
My Duty to My Neiehbor.
But all this is merely personal, Il
is my duty to myself; but my obliga
ton is broader, and have duty t
my neighbor too.
1. There is the duty OF my exam
pie. The apostle Paul by inspiration
of the Holy Spirit brings this out yer!
clearly in Chapter 8 Of First CORN
thians. | may feel that personally
am at liberty to do as | please in
matter of this kind, may drink l
or let It alone" but not II somebod!
else will be caused to stumble becaus
I do not let 1t alone. may thus caus'
him to perish for whom Christ died
and 1t will be difficult under such cir
cumstances to give an account OF IN!
stewardship with Joy.
2. There is the duty OF my vote
What right have as Christian cit
zen to cast my ballot for traffic tina
damns mems souls? There was
time in my experience when l wa
not 30 keen upon this point. felt
had done my whole duty when
preached the Gospel and showed me
how they might be saved from 81
through iaith in Jesus Christ. sti
believe this paramount, and nothin
must be permitted to stand in its way
but | have not done all when | nav
done that. There is the dram shop o
the corner, snare set by the devil fc
my neighbor's feet. AS a Christian ci
izen, have the privilege and respol
sibility of saying whether ] woul
have 1t there or not, and ! can preac
the Gospel with more consistenc
and power when by my ballot l al
swer no.
This brings me to the text. VIII
s giving his neighbor drink? Who
putting the bottle to his lips? VIII
is making him drunk? Is 1t strainin
the situation to say that the stat
does this when 1t legalizes the sale
intoxicating drink and profits by II
But what is the state in democrac
except the aggregation OF the individ
ais who compose it? And who al
these individuals in great proportion
save those who profess to know &c
and Jesus Christ his Son. and obey h
commandments? o church member
let us throw of our lethargy and 1
difference, and in the light of the Sc
ond great table Of the law, clear OF