Year: 1872

ADDRESS


To the Pastors and Congregations Of the


Severat Christ'dn denominations of IHest


Virginia, upon the importance of encourng-


ing the Temperance cause, Ly cooperation.


We the undersigned having been appointed
committee to prepare and publish as above
stated. beg leave to present the following to
your careful aud prayerful consideration


We hope too, that each indioiIuak Chris,
tiau will read and consider his iudiyiduat re-
lation to the Temperance Cause and the in
dt0iaual duties growing out of these relations.


No doubt all Christian people wish the
cause OF Temperance success, but like that
class of the human family we as Church con-
denim do not engage themselves in pushing
the principle on to certain victory we refer
TO the class of ungodly men who wish the
cause of religion to succeed, but never en-
gage in the work themselves and actually
hinder the progress of our Masters cause by
their stolid indifference. We condemn them.
yet We are no less guilty when we refuse our
personal cooperation in putting down cause
which has doue more and is now doing more
to hinder the success Of the Gospel than any
sinyfe cause against which we have to con-
tend. We conceive there are two reasons
why as Christians we should not only endorse.
but heartily cooperate in tho Temperance
movement.


First For the cultivation and develon-
ment of moral and Christian virtue in our,
selves. Second (: For the general good of our
fellow creatures. Now if it be shown that
90 of'er"'io" does mare successfully accomplish
these two ends there can be no doubt as to the
nj in1 1iyiI
hand in the grcut enterprise of DESTROYING the
power of King Alcohol
If Temperance be a moral princinle there
can be no doubt that it is not only privilege,
hut an absolute duty to deveope it 10 the
heart. Paul reasons of Temperance a cts "a.
20; he makes it a fruit of the Suirit Gal.
D, 23 +; and Peter expressly states it as one of
the principles in Christian character the alb
sence OF which would not only damage, but
destroy the character. add to your faith.
virtue; and to virtue knowledge ; and knowl
edge temperance" &c. II. Peter. ], S c.
1t Is here added for the protection of faith.
virtue and knowledge. The Master builder
did not design that this stone should be left
out, which serves not only as protection to
those principles already laid bu. sure foun
dation unto which are to be added the other
principles necessary to the con, pe,ion of that
>''H~'SN"NN''
Gre"' Dry How shall we dcvelope this
principle? BY practice We develope faith.
virtue, knowledge and all other sraces bv nrac
tice; if so this is the best means to dcyelope
this principle


lnt some will argne that the Scrinturc
above referred to does not refer to war
against sp!ritnnns drinks, but Temperance in
all things. True it does hut we ask is there
not more rtrmpcr"nce in this form than in
any other particular iorm and if so is it not
our duty to specify this form of in,cnperauce
and make special war whore the greatest dan
ger is. and by meeting it 10 its worst form the
more successfully foil it's effnrts; and more
particularly its effects upon ourselves. Tt is
not enough that We negatively endorse, bu.
we must positively engage in it if we wish 10
protect our individual character. What
serious inroaGs are now being made uron the
church by intemperance in amusement? How
should we protect ourse1ccs against the in
creasing influence? Every candid one will
answer by attacking the various forms as pre-
sent themselves in our midst and the more
active we are the safer from the stealthV in,
fnences upon our own feelings, lulling FIRST to
sleep and making us an easy prey.


How many have fallen from our nulnjts
even because they have not cultivated in
themselves the principle of Temperance. but
pleading peculiar liberty of which they
would not deprive themselves; they have used
that liberty as an occasion to the flesh and
ofshem it is said: How is the mighty fallen"


They needed special Influences, specia!
work, by which a principle would have been
developed in them and thus secured them
against the seductive influences of strong
drink


But one may say I do practice this virtue
and in my church covenant I include the
pledge to temperance in the use of strong
drink, and faithfully keep it by the grace OF
Goa preventing me, which is more ef4ectnal
than influences Of Temperance organizations
and do not need separate pledge nor those
special helps


Surprising this to he actually true. and thar
you have no necessity for any s;,ectnis in vour
individual case. do you not know that our Gooa
is only advanced as make efforts to advance
the Goon7 of our fellow creatures; and you
will find as you make effort in saving the thou
sands who are now falling by this terrible evil
that your own security will be more certain,
and your own happiness promoted bv the con-
sciousness of having tried to save your fell
lows.


Second proposition. For general good for
the salvation Of the masses from this DESTROYER
of human souls But one will say IT am on.
posed to making speciality of Temperance"
DO we not make speciality of other things?
For what purpose are schools and colleges
organized and conducted under the esupervision
OF the church! Is it not to give to our chill.
dren knowledge sanctiied by religious infu
ences? What of our Sunday Schools? Are
they not speciality in the church? Is not
the specific purpose to save the children from
the ravages of the enemy of souls? But a
stronger case: For the special purpose of an
increase of faith the church has organized
special meetings. BY these special means
there is an individual increase of. power as
well as an increase in the aggregate of Chris