CALLING ALL CHURCHES!

White Ribbon, Volume 22, Issue 9, 1 November 1950, Page 4

CALLING ALL CHURCHES!

By J. L. McElhany

The most vital issue, from an economic, social, and moral standpoint, that faces most of the countries of the World today, is the danger from the destructive influences and evils concomitant with the consumption of alcoholic beverages. T hese constitute a greater danger than destruction by the atomic bomb. No community, no individual, no segment of society is exempt or free from the influences of this issue. No professional or economic lines are drawn by alcoholism. Moral Accountability One all-important fact bearing upon this question bar. oeen too little emphasised bv the C hurches of Christendom. 1 speak of the basic element of the Christian life—that of moral accountability to God. Man’s moral accountability carries with it his duty to bring every life practice, every habit, into subjection to this basic principle. There is a text of Scripture we need to emphasize: “Whether therefore ye eat or drink or whatsoever ye do, do all to the Glory of God.” Whatever expositions might be given on this text, its one outstanding message is: Man has a moral accountability to God. it matters not what we do even in the ordinary habits of life, whatever i it is, we are to do it to the Glory of God. ' # That duty extends even to men s habits and practices in the matter of eating and drinking. If that can be impressed on the hearts of all, particularly the young, it may serve a useful purpose in preserving and protecting them from this terrible plague that is sweeping the earth. Can spiritual leaders ignore the Riblical statements that God’s woe rests upon those who drink, upon those who give drink to their neighbours, and upon those who manufacture strong drink ? Why does this principle of moral accountability to God. enter into this matter of drinking? Recause by drinking man may defile himself and render himself unfit for participation

in the higher and better things of life and for a place in the Kingdom of God. The Churches should emphasize this fact especially to young people. The Habit of Complacency It may he that those who have never touched a glass of alcoholic beverage of any kind are yet contributing to the spread of this evil by the spirit of complacency. When people say, “Well, what can 1 do about it? After all it ian't my concern,’’ they are exhibiting a great evil in itself —the evil of the spirit of complacency. It is a terrible thing to stand by indifferently and see people going down to destruction. Surely no Christian can stand aloof in this great fight against the evils of intemperance and he clear before God or before his fellow men ! This is especially true of spiritual leaders. The School of Moderation Where do alcoholics get their training? In the school of moderate drinking. Our youth should be shown that not moderation but total abstinence is the only safeguard. There nevei was a man so steeped in drunkenness hut what that man started his drinking career by indulging in what he was pleased to call “Moderation —moderate drinking.” This moderation idea is actually nart of the sales talk of the liquor industry. The subtle influence of liquor advertising is invading the homes of the nation. In ome of the world’s leading magazines we see those picture* of home life, picnics and social gatherings in the home and there 'is that pernicious, seductive slogan, “Reer Belongs.” A lot of young people get the idea today that perhaps, after all, drinking is the proper thing to do. The great drive in America now is to get women in the homes to drink, by making them believe that “Reer Belongs.” The trouble with the liquor advertisements is that they do not carry the story through to the ultimate. They show only the beginning and not the ending.

Survival is at stake and everyone must he called into action to remove this great evil. The intelligent co-operation of all Churches, by pen, voice and vote, could accomplish this. United Action The social emergency of this drinking situation demands united action. We must do our utmost to rescue those who are perishing as a result of this growing menace. We need to enlist all intelligent people in the fight against intemperance and the use of alcoholic beverages. We especially need to enlist the co-operation of the voting people of all the Churches. We need to encourage them to take the pledge of total abstinence, which, in tlu hour of temptation, would be their protection. We need to cast aside all spirit complacency and awaken to our moral responsibility to God and to our fellow men. —By Courtesy “Signs of the Times.”