Again, to indulge in intoxicating liquor _is inconsistent with attempts to recommend the Gospel to the heathen_. Nothing has done more, in former years, to prejudice our Indian neighbors, and hinder among them the influence of the Gospel, than those liquors we have encouraged them to use. Several tribes have set the noble example of excluding them by the strong arm of law; and it is only by convincing such that really consistent Christians do not encourage these evils, that our missionaries have been able to gain their confidence.
The same feeling prevails in some distant heathen nations. They cannot but distrust those who use and sell a polluting drink, which _they_, to a great extent, regard with abhorrence.
Suppose our missionaries should meet the heathen with the Bible in one hand, and the intoxicating cup in the other; what impression would they make? Nature herself would revolt at the alliance. And nothing but custom and fashion have reconciled any to similar inconsistencies at home.
But not only must our missionaries be unspotted, they must be able to testify, that _no real Christians_ encourage this or any unclean thing. With _such_ testimony they might secure the conviction, that our religion is indeed elevating, and that our God is _the true God_. For saith Jehovah, "Then shall the _heathen_ know that I am the Lord, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes."
Indulgence in this drink, especially by the church, _is inconsistent with any reasonable hope that the flood of intemperance would not return upon the land, even should it for a season be dried up_. The same causes which have produced it would produce it again, unless there be some _permanent_ counteracting influence. Temperance associations are unspeakably important as means of reformation. But they are not permanent bodies; their organization may cease when intemperance is once done away; and unless the principle of TOTAL ABSTINENCE be generally acknowledged and regarded as a Christian duty, by some great association that _is to be perpetual_, it may in time be forgotten or despised; and then drunkenness will again abound. Such an association is found only in "the church of the living God." This will continue while the world stands. Let the principle of ENTIRE ABSTINENCE, then, be recognized by all members of the church, and such others as they can influence; and you have a great multitude to sustain the temperance cause, "till time shall be no longer." And can the real Christian, or patriot, think it hard thus to enlist for the safety of all future generations? If parents love their offspring, if Christians love the millions coming upon the stage, will they not gladly secure them all from the destroyer? Has he a shadow of consistency who will rather do that, which, if done by the church generally, would lead millions to hopeless ruin?