The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-10-25
BY WILLIAM E. GILROY, ID. ID
Editor of The Congregationalist

o'N~-~V'
BY WILLIAM E. GILROY, ID. d.
Editor of The Congregationalist
THIS is the lesson for Worlds
Il Temperance Sunday. Here in
America we may think of this day
either too exclusively, or too little,
in terms of our national problems
associated with prohibition.
To consider the problems of tenn
perance, and especially of religion
and of Bible study in relation to
temperance, exclusively from the
standpoint Of prohibition is to cut
off our consideration too completely
from the rest of the world and to
fail to make this worlds temper
ance lesson.
On the other hand, to ignore the
immediate and special problems that
confront us in America, where we
have nationally adopted a prohibi-
tory law, would be to make the
study of the lesson too remote and
too theoretical. What would seem
to be necessary would be to study
the lesson in its deeper and larger
implications, and then consider its
application to our immediate prob
lens.
Americas Problem
It should never be forgotten that
our problem in America is still very
largely one of temperance and of
voluntary action. The fact that
laws have been passed does not re-
move from the stage all emphasis
upon personal ideals and voluntary
action. The fact is that voluntary
abstinence at the present time has
an enhanced value because it is a
phase of good citizenship and
obedience to the law of the land.
There are, of course, certain cir
cumstances under which disobedi-
ence to law may become a valuable
or even dutiful course. But it
would seem that no conscientious
duty could attach to the drinking
Of Intoxicating liquor.
The man who diSobeyS the pro-
hibitory law is very much in the
same category as the man who dis
obeys the tariff law or some other
law of the land concerning which
he might say that what it forbids
is not something inherently wrong
There are many who feel that our
prohibitory laws will never be en-
tirely effective until a more vigor-
GUS campaign by precept and eX-
ample is carried on in behalf of
voluntary abstinence and obedience
to the law.
The principles which apply to the
situation both with regard to tenn
perance in general and in relation
to prohibition in particular are
fairly well brought out in the lesson.
Paul, in his letter to the Galatians,
is dealing with the matter of free
dom and the wise use of freedom.
He points out what is perfectly true,
that law exists for higher ends, and
that law can never be fulfilled
by merely formal obedience.
The moral law is fulfilled only
in the exercise of love for ones
neighbor. There is a course of life,
however, which may be said to be
neither law-abiding nor laW-defying.
1t is course that is above the law
"a way of life so true, so noble, so
careful in its consideration for 9TH
ers that if every one lived in such
way laws would not be necessary.
So Paul says: IF We are led by the
spirit, We are not under the law"
He does not mean by this to say
that lawless people can claim privi-
leges and exemptions for them
selves on the plea that they are led
by the spirit.
The Real Test
What he means, rather, is that
the life that is truly in the spirit
is of such a high and noble sort
that the law does not affect it. The
test Of spiritual guidance Paul puts
very definitely in the manifestation
of the fruits of the spirit. These
fruits of the spirit he defines as
love, joy, peace, long suffering, kind
ness, goodness, faithfulness meek
ness, self control, and against these
he says, quite truly, there is no law.
There are people who seem to
think that if all laws we're wiped
out this higher course Of life would
naturally be followed, and there
are those who think that his high
er course of life is rendered less free
and noble through the fact that
there are laws governing conduct.
Now and again one finds a man
who says that he would refrain from
certain course of action volun-
tarily, but as the law forbids it he
feels inclined to do it. That may
be a widespread psychology, but it
is a wrong psychology.
Why should not a man do what
he feels is best regardless of law?
Not to do a thing simply because
the law says that he must do it
seems absurd if the thing in itself
be worthy. There is a great need
of seeing such matters through and
of establishing a new psychology in
our American life and customs
What is psychology, after all, but
spiritual life and spiritual attitude?
Freedom is a matter of the spirit,
and the man who is doing what he
approves as right is following the
course that is rendered no less right
and no less noble because of any
law that exists concerning the mat
ter. To do something that the law
enjoins is no less worthy because
the law happens to enjoin it. This
is a simple fact that is not ade-
nuatelv EXPRESSED and emnhas sized