WESLEYAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1627, 30 August 1887, Page 3

WESLEYAN CHURCH, TEMUKA.

Oa Sunday evening the Rev. T. E. Jones delivered an address at the Wesleyan Church, Temuka, on the “ Sin of Drunkenness.” The rev. gentleman took for his text Philippians 2nd chapter, 4th and sth verses : “ Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let the mind bo in you which was also in Jesus Christ.” When St. Paul wrote these words he enunciated two broad rules—first, that Christians generally should not display selfishness ; and, secondly, that they should try to assume the mind of Christ, and thus emulate his example. Among the greatest erils of the day was the excessive use of strong drink, and it behoved each faithful watchman on the walls of Zion to lift up hii voice against it. The terrible evil of intemperance was ruining the health and happiness of thousands, and destroying the temporal prosperity of the country. It led to poverty, disease, suicide, and crime, and was the parent of theft and murder. There were instances innumerable where persona laid up for themselves long years of remorse from the recollections of deeds done under the influence of drink. It was the fashion to speak of drunkenness as a weakness and a propensity, but he implored his hearers on no account to overlook its heinousness. He pictured the loss and suffering entailed npou the nation by the drink traffic, and gave instances from his own personal experience. One of the most dangerous characteristics of the confirmed drunkard was secretiveness. Many started to drink in private and became slaves to their passion in a wonderfully short time. He then spoke of the temperance pledge, and said that it was of little use to take a pledge without asking for assistance from above. In Christ would be found a perfect teacher and example. He enunciated broad principles, and His own life was in perfect harmony with them. He believed that Jesus, if on earth at the present day, would be an active worker in the temperance cause, and drew a startling picture of Christ weeping over the progress of drunkenness. Many 'Christians were apathetic on the subject, but political economists, doctors, and editors, were all raising their voices against the use of stimulants. The London Times had of late years taken the subject up strongly, and the cause bad made great progress. If, then, editors and journalists, many of whom were freethinkers; took an active part in the crusade against intemperance, how much mote should Christians labor against it. He begged his hearers not to shun the drunkard, for Christ was the friend of sinners, and would not despise them. Ho was proud to say that every Methodist Minister in How.Zealßnd was a pledged abstainer. He appealed lo young men to come boldly forward and sign the pledge if they desired to become good men and brave warriors for Christ. Among . all the voices pleading the temperance cause none were so powerful as that of their Divine Master, and 1 in His name he would urge them to be firm, faithful and united, and let the mind of Christ bo in them.