Year: 1866




The Synod of Wheeling 70. s. Presbyte-
risn) at its late meeting, adopted the follow
ing report made by a committee appointed
for the purpose, on the subject Of Temper
ance, and directed 1t to be published in the
Presbyterian Banner as well as read from
the pulpits Of the various churches:


The Synod Of Wheeling is deeply and
painfully impressed with tho conviction that
the cause of Temperance is 10 such state
Of decline, as to call for the serious and
prayerful attention of our ministers and
churches. Indulgence in the use of intoxi-
eating drinks is believed to have largely in
creased in the community in the last few
years. Drinking saloons and other facili-
ties for such indulgence, have been multi
piled, especially inscities and towns. Per-
haps to some extent like admission is due
concerning the use Of alcoholic liquors in SO.
cial entertainments, not to speak Of the still
more pernicious habit OF private drinking.
1t is sad thought that there is not now the
high toned moral sentiment of former years,
when the traffic in liquors and their use as
beverage were regarded with general hor-
ror and alarm 1t is sadder still to be con-
vinced that there are members Of the Church
of Christ who do not BY precept and exam
pie, throw their undivided influence against
an error which is corruptiDg the morals of
society, undermining the stability Of our
civil institutions, ensnaring to their ruin
mutitudes of young men, hindering the
Gospel. and destroying souls.


This state Of things may in part be traced
to the high excitement Of the public mind,
growing out of the late civil war in the land
In part, also, it may be owing to the dis
couragement and relaxation Of effort on the
part of the friends Of Temperance, arising
from the failure Of former plans of accom-
plishing the desired result But it especi-
ally becomes the Church, alike in her min
istry, her ruling elders, and her member
ship prayerfully to inquire how far the pres
ent state of tuings is to be accounted for on
the ground of failure to expound and apply
the teachings Of the Word of God on the
subject, in the ministrttions Of the sanct
uary, and corresponding failure to exer-
else the discipline of the house of God faith
fully to the same end, so as tc throw the un-
divided moral power of Christ's profess
sed followers on the side of sobrety and
godliness. At least it cannot be questioned
that the time has come when the most Wig
orous and united efforts of all friends ofhu.
maBity, the country, and religion, are de-
manded to arrest the spread Of intemper-
ance Therefore,


!, RESOLVED, That we urge the ministers and
elders and members of the churches within
the bounds of this Synod, not only to prac
tice total abstinence, but in every other way
to discountenance the manufacture, sale,
and use Of intoxicating liquors as bever-
age.


Resolved, That the pastors and Supplies
of the churches be requested to preach up
on the subject of Temperance in view of the
present aspect of the cause. at as early
day es may suit their convenience, present
ing and enforcing Christian obligation upon
this subject upon all persons, male and fe-
male. as set forth in the Word of God.


Resolred, That in view Of the largely in
creasing manufacture and use of domestic
wine at the present time, we cannot resist
the apprehension that the ultimate effect
may be deleterious to the cause of Temper
ance and to the welfare of our beloved land.