MORGAN'S HISTORY OF THE NEW JERSEY CONFERENCE Page 179
Whereas, We learn from scientific certainty, that the use of alcoholic liquors as a beverage is deleterious to the human system, and brings forth disease, death and distress to thousands of families, and makes the home of the widow dark and gloomy during life;
And Whereas, Alcohol cannot supply anything which is essential to the due nutrition of the tissues, is a poison to our organization, and is never digested and converted into nourishment;
And Whereas, Beer, wine, spirits, &c., furnish no element capable of entering into the composition of blood, muscular fibre or any part which is the seat of vital life; but on the contrary diminishes man's capacity to endure mental, physical and spiritual labor, increases his predisposition to disease, and shortens the average duration of life, and inasmuch as the scripture saith, "that no drunkard hath everlasting life abiding in him;" therefore,
Resolved, That inasmuch as temperance habits are enjoined of God upon all men as a duty essential to their present and future good on earth and everlasting salvation in heaven, that we unqualifiedly condemn the evil of intemperance;
Resolved, That we, the members of the New Jersey Annual Conference, and as ministers of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, will preach and co-operate with the temperance movement throughout the land, and by example discourage the use of all intoxicating liquors, and that each pastor preach one sermon on this subject to his congregation twice a year;
Resolved, That the use of tobacco and snuff be disapproved of by this annual conference as a useless and offensive habit among ministers, and that all pastors and members of this conference who are in good standing be required not to use it in any form.
We, your committee on temperance, have had this important subject under serious consideration, and beg leave to submit the following:
The evil of the liquor traffic is no new theme before this conference. The question what shall be done has lost none of its
Previous Page in Book ****************************** Next Page in Book
|