mands him 'to speak the things which become sound doctrine. That the aged men be sober, grave temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.' In the same chapter he also declared that the grace of God had appeared, "Teaching us; that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.' Titus in. 1, 2, 12.In this manner did the apostle preach temperance!

1

Now examine the writings of modern teachers on this subject. Contrast their doctrine of total abstinence with the teachings of those early Christians, who doubtless, saw as much drunkenness and intemperance in their day, as there is in this generation. Can it be possible that those early Christians, who were favored with revelations from on High, were so dead to the cause of suffering humanity that they did not form themselves into a total abstinence society? So it appears. Excuse me, kind reader, if I illustrate this seeming negject of the apostles by introducing an anecdote. An old woman who had become a convert to the doctrine of abstinence, was expatiating on the good tendency of their measures to a bible temperance man, and thought it a great sin for any one to object to them.The gentleman informed her that the bible was at war with her sentiments; that God required his children to be temperate, and use the good things of this world, as not abusing them, and that Paul recommended his be

The lecturers on abstinence generally relate stories about old wo men-and as an offset I will introduce one to their favorable notice

loved son Timothy, on one occasion, to 'drink no longer water, but use a little wine, (i. e. temperately,) for thy stomach's sake, and thine often infirmities.' The old lady, not being able to refute this argument, remarked, as a last resort, that 'the apostles did not go quite far enough.' So with the leaders in this abetinence enterprise, the apostles did not go far enough for them. Thus, not only impeaching their wisdom but the wisdom of Jesus Christ! 'Surely the priests bare rule by these means, and the people love to have it so.' Jer. v.

31.

But I anticipate an objection. We are informed that distilled liquors are not mentioned in the bible, for there was none manufactured till the 13th century! and therefore we are not commanded to make a temperate use of that article. No one, I think, will deny but what the same cause will invariably produce the same effect, and as the wine and strong drink mentioned in scripture produced intoxication, it is a fair conclusion that the strong drink at least had passed through a state of distillation. I presume the 'strong drink' was made from corn or barley, the same as it now is. If it was not, I should like to know from what article it was manufactured; and how strong drink could produce intoxication without passing through some process of distillation; likewise how wine could produce drunkenness without fermentation. Perhaps some of our abstinence friends can throw some light on this subject! Will they try?

We shall endeavor to prove that wine and strong

drink were given to God's chosen people as blessings; and that judgments came upon them for abusing those blessings. If we fail to substantiate these points, inform us of the fact, and we pledge ourselves to fall in with your system of total abstinence!

Moses said to the children of Israel 'and thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after; for oxen, or for sheep, or for wine or for strong drink,' &c. Deut. xiv. 26. Solomon says 'give strong · drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. Prov. xxxi. 6, 7. 'Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy,' and drink thy wine with a merry heart, for God now accepteth thy works.'-Ecl. ix. 7. And he dealt to every one of Israel, both man and woman, to every one a loaf of bread, and a good piece of Aesh, and a flagon of wine: Chron. xvi. 3. Now that which was prepared for me daily, was one ox, and six choice sheep, also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days store of all sorts of wine.'-Nehe. v. 18. And behold I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thous and measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.'-2 Chron. ii.

10.

Thus we have proved, beyond a doubt, that wine and strong drink were not only given to the children of Is rael, for medical purposes but for men in health. The doctrine of total abstinence, therefore, predicated on bi

ble authority, is exploded, blown to the 'four winds of heaven.' Who will gather up the fragments? Beware lest ye tread upon forbidden ground!

Why it is, that men will not be content in following the plain simple rules laid down in the bible, I cannot tell. But there are always some ready to fall in with every new measure invented by man. Not that they are so benevolent and philanthropic, as to labor night and day, for the benefit of other people, without recompense: but they do it out of sinister motives. Thus with the abstinence people,* against all law and gospel, they have waged an eternal war against wine and strong drink, and fain would they drive it from the earth. To accomplish this object a society is formed in every town, papers are circulated in all quarters of the land and like the frogs of Egypt, they come up into our bed chambers, and kneading troughs.' Men, women, and children, are called upon to engage in the blessed work,' and drive from among us, what God called a blessing, and gave to his children as such.

So blind

and infatuated' have some of them become that they have polluted the sanctuary of the most high God.Sweetened water is used as a substitute for that rich emblem of Christ's precious blood, shed for sinners upon Calvary's cross! The blessed communion is turned intb ridicule by the professed servants of the Lord, and the last request of Jesus to his followers is mocked and perverted. If this is not commencing hostilities against

* There are some honorable exceptions.

the Lord Omnipotent, I know not what is! Would to God I could make those engaged in destroying that which Christ blest, (and commanded his followers to drink in remembrance of him,) hear my feeble voice, I would speak to them in words of doom! I would cry aloud, beware how you trifle with your Maker. For every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving. Beware, lest you bring upon yourselves tribulation and anguish."Turn unto the Lord, who will have mercy upon you, and to our God for he will abundantly pardon.'

O, how preposterous it is for men professing to be teachers sent of God, to set themselves up as infallible and profess to know better what men need in meats and drinks than the Almighty. The Father of all mercies declares, Drink ye wine.' Modern teachers exclaim, Hold! That is a deadly poison!! God calls it Is the servant grea

a blessing. They call it a curse. ter than his Lord? So it would seem in these degenerate days!

'The time will come that foul sin, gathering head, shali break into corruption.' That time has already come!And the wisdom of God is impeached by his peace destroying and rebellious children. Why is it, that you thus make war against your Father and his holy word? Why is it, that ye will not content yourselves with taking the bible for your guide? Is office, money or popularity your object? If so, you shall have your reward. Time-serving parasites never gained those seats of hop