Temperance Reform in the Churches
Temperance Reform in the Churches.—Three years ago, Rev. J. Q. A. Henry, a Baptist clergyman of note in America, was called to England to carry on a temperance crusade. An article in the Union Signal says that “all over the kingdom the largest halls have been placed at his disposal, and have been thronged with people.” But the following brief extract, while encouraging in results, is really startling as revealing conditions in the professed church of Christ: “The great work accomplished has been in helping to separate the churches from all complicity with the habit and traffic in strong drink. Hundreds of ministers, thousands of church officers, and tens of thousands of church members have been led for Christ and humanity’s sake to give up the habit, sign the pledge, and dedicate themselves to God’s service. Indeed, the chief progress of this reform within the past two or three years has been inside the churches.”