Church Action on Temperance [pp. 595-632]

Church Action
words out of their obvious meaning as determined by the context, as if one should contend that in the above phrase, "all
things are lawful," or when he elsewhere says, "I become all
things to all men," Paul had obliterated all distinction between good and evil, sanctioned the most nefarious conduct,
and opened the floodgates of universal licentiousness. Such is
the character of the criticisms we have seen on the brief remarks
made by us in regard to abstinence from intoxicating drinks in
our last number.
Our next position is, that, in respect to the expediency or inexpediency of indifferent actions, each one must judge for himself, weighing all pertinent considerations conscientiously, in
the fear of God, and according to the best light he can get.
The judgment of other men is not his law, nor is he bound by
it, if contrary to his own. He may attach what weight he sees
fit, and is bound to attach reasonable weight to the judgment
of others, in making up his own. But, nevertheless, he must
act upon his own judgment thus conscientiously made up.
And herein, so far as the mere ethical nature of the act is concerned, and aside of the prohibitions of lawful government,
civil or parental, while accountable to God, he is free of man,
who may not wrench from him a liberty which God has not
withheld by making that a test of goodness and piety, or term
of Christian communion, which God has not so made. Our
readers can hardly deem it necessary that we should make expressly an exception which of course is implied in such cases,
viz., of prohibition by competent secular authority. Has not
the State power to draft men into the army, to require vessels
to undergo quarantine, to compel hackmen to buy a license
and display their numbers, and a thousand other things, which,
without such prohibition, would be morally indifferent, and no
man could erect into a criterion of righteousness or term of
communion? This is not because these things are morally evil
in their own nature, or because on this account men have a
right to treat them as such; but because they are prohibited by
the powers that be, which are ordained of God, and "whosoever resisteth the power resistetli the ordinance of God." All
things indifferent are futlly subject to the authority of civil
government. It has power to command anything not inhibited
[OCTOBERZ,
614