Year: 1859

For the Spirit Of the Age.
The Church and the Temperance Reform.


No. 8.


BY INVALID.


But the most important inquiry after all
i, how is this to be consummated; how is
the church, private and official, to be
aroused from its long but troubled slumber;
and be induced to adopt more decisive
and efficient policy in relation to this great
vice, from the fruits of which she has suf-
d fered so long and severely. To whom is
she to look to lead forth, to assume the
championship, the responsibility of this
new movements reply to whom, but to
that class to whom she has been wont to
rely for counsel and advice in all great mo-
raj and benevolent enterprises! To whom
but to those to whose delinquency and neg
lect of duty should be attributed the exis-
tence ofmuch ofthatapathy and Indifference
which has marked her past careers


Far be it from me to be censorious or un-
just in criticizing the conduct of class
whom | regard with 80 much reverence
and esteem, and to whose judgment and
experience / so cheerfully defer. know
that as class they are the most self-sacri-
ficing and devoted to duty of our fallen
race. grant them all honor in most in
stances for performing their duty with a
faithfulness and devotion worthy of all COM
mendation. But in this particular, sense
Of duty to my God and humanity constrains
me to charge them with being guilty of a
remissness and inconsistency strangely at
variance with their ususal prompt and i'm
partial denunciation of vice, when or where.
ever found. | can but charge them with
suffering a too polite Difference to the opin-
ions Of the multitude, and too servile fear
of incurring popular disfavor, to stife their
convictions Of duty, and to cause them al
most to ignore the existence of an evil, the
most that can be said of which is, that its
very age and prevalence renders it the more
formidable and fearful.


admit that much can be said in their
defence, and to extenuate their delinquency
in this isolated case. | grant that this i
an unusual subject-one with some pecu
liar features; and that in dealing with al
evil which is so firmly entrenched in tn
habits and opinions of society, that the
should adopt plan of aggression, which
while being decisive and uncompromisine
will not needlessly excite prejudice and dis
trust. But it is this very fact which is
most urgent reason that whilst acting wit
prudence and moderation, they shoul
leave no effort untried to dislodge an enc
my which has 80 powerfully stronghold
in every department of society. And al
of the decided opinion that they very muc
misapprehend its effect upon the popult
mind for whatever may be the prevailin
sentiment, yet it is universally known tn;
ministers, almost without an exception, al
opposed to moderate drinking; and sue
is the innate respect of mankind for the il
tegrity and independence of the pulp
that any appearance of pandering to pop
lar favor or of sailing with the popular GU
rent, is looked upon with condemnation al
adherence.


But, interposes some casuist, ouhaye
right to infringe upon the rights of priva
Judgment by declaring such a test of
lowship. Indeed if the church has
right to prescribe consistent christian ch;
acter as the condition of fellowship, t
right is after all the merest of abstractio
if they be denied the privilege of decidi
what are the necessary constituents of su
n character. And if it is no violation
the rights of private judgment to requ
from her communicates entire abstiner
from the excitement of the dance, the
ming table, the horse race or theatre
cannot conceive how it can be to dema
tho same from the intoxicating bowl.


But would not be misunderstood.
would not assume that some grand CO..
Gil of the church should issue an edict,
cooperating this condition of commun
as distinct article of her discipline.


that | ask is simply that moderate drink
shall be placed precisely in the same C;
CORY with other ruinous and dangerous h
its; that the clergy shall denounce it
they do similar indulgehces, in the pul
the conference and the social circle


faithfully and fearfully admonish Il
hocks of its fatal tendencies; and
such of the laity as coincide with tn
shall promptly rally to their aid, exer
every effort to demonstrate the safet
thOr position. And l entertain no dc
that those who have honestly differed
opinion, influenced by their example
their spiritual advisers, and Of so respe
bic portion Of their brethren, and the
dence of the happy effects produced wi
the desired change has been inaugura
will be induced TO reflect and ere Ions
favor policy which they will be constr
ed to see so much promotes the harm
and efficiency of the church.


And in conclusion, would ask my r


ers to indulge for moment their lima
ations, and endeavor to conceive a tith
the woudrous change that would so