Church Action on Temperance [pp. 595-632]

Chur,ech Action on [Temperance.
sale, at least in its most dangerous forms. Michigan has lately
passed a law making every man who sells liquor, so as to induce
drunkenness, responsible in damages to the family of the drunkard. We have not the exact words, but are informed that this
is the principle of the law. Indeed, it is doubtful whether
even the common law could not be availed of for such a remedy. We have seen it stated that a husband lately recovered
damages in a suit against an apothecary for selling opium or
laudanumn constantly to his wife for six months, knowing that
she used it for purposes of narcotic inebriation. Whv might
not the same principle hold and be enforced with reference to
like sales to produce alcoholic inebriation?
Above all, let our great reliance first and last be on the Word
and Grace of God. This is our great and only sure defence
against intemperance and other sins. Let us, then, obtain that
for ourselves and others, and we are sure of victory. "For the
grace of God hath appeared unto all (all kinds of) men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should
live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world,
looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of
the Great God, even our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and
purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."
Tit. ii. 11-14.
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