TEMPERANCE WORK IN CHURCHES.
BY REV. JOS. E. ROY, D.D.
Our Churches, Conferences and Associations are practically temperance societies. Many of the churches have distinctive rules requiring abstinence from the use as a beverage, and from the selling, of intoxicating drinks. As new churches are organized they are more and more inclined to start with a special, stringent rule. Other churches interpret, as requiring the same, the common law of their covenant, by which the members “promise to walk with the disciples in love, and denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts, to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world.” All hold temperance as an article of their faith, expect to have it faithfully preached in their pulpits, and undertake to exercise discipline on that principle.
In connection with many of our churches, Bands of Hope were early organized; and these have done great good in bringing up the rising generation in the way of sobriety. Some of these have shown great effectiveness and great tenacity of existence. Some have gained property and have become permanent fountains of blessing.
In the old times the master’s will was a prohibitory law to his slaves. When that law was repealed, to many liberty seemed to imply freedom to drink as much whiskey as they pleased. Experience has been teaching them better. The means used for their moral elevation have taken effect upon the prevalence of this habit. But still liquor drinking is the devil’s best hold upon this people. And so perpetual vigilance is required to meet these satanic wiles, even within the precincts of the church. But our pastors have been faithful, and the churches have been ready to respond to right principle in the execution of discipline. In a rice-swamp region, where the whiskey shops seem to be the regular attendants of the old-time churches, standing hard by the same and finding the Sabbaths their best days of business, our church there has no such an annex, for it furnishes no such patronage.
In North Carolina, during the great canvass for prohibition in that State, one of our pastors was surprised to find laxity in principle and practice among his members on this subject. He took hold of the matter vigorously. Church meetings were held. Discussion ran high until stringent rules were enacted and the members brought into line to vote for the prohibitory law. When that election came off and the mass of the colored people shamefully joined with the enemy and voted against the constitutional inhibition, our pastors and churches were firm and solid on the right side—our pastor at the Capital being on the State Executive Committee along with the first citizens of the State and doing valiant service at home and afield for the reform.
Our Conferences and Associations, at their annual meetings, have temperance almost as a standing subject for discussions and for public meetings. An evening is often spent in ten-minute addresses. In these the laymen prove very effective speakers. These bodies are diligent in urging upon the churches fidelity as to the preaching, practice and discipline upon the subject of temperance.