PULPIT EOHO S.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1351, 14 December 1885, Page 2

PULPIT EOHO S.

Carrying out the spirit of a thorough tempeiance service, -he prayers at the Wesleyan Chare - yesterday morning had particular reference to the subject ef total abstinence. I-i U’e opening grayer, supplica) ion was made for all efforts and organisations having for their object the reformat! .n of drunkards, and fur those who suffered from the intemperance of their friends. In the course of the concluding prayer, intercession was made for those who trafficked in liquor, and a request preferred chat, having their eyes opened to the sinfumess of their business, publicans might be led to abandon their trade, for a better mode of livelihood.

The preacher plunged unhesitatingly Into the enemy’s camp, and wielded their moat powerful weapon to discomfort them t he text was the advice given to Timothy —“ Drink no longer water, but use a little wine fur thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities.” This passage was often quoted by both moderate and ardent drinkers with much confidence: they fondly imagined that it proved the poaitioo they held. Christianity neither favors ascetic am or licentiousness ; the tendency of human nature is to run to both extreme s Timothy was a teetotaller, and as such was only one of a vast host of those who, for conscience sake, abstained irom intoxicating d ink. Among such were to be found the N»z irites, Rechabites, Daniel, and maybe, Paul himself, who gave the advice comprised in the text. It was supposed that Timothy, as a total abstainer, copied the example of St Paul. A total abstinence vow had been registered, and Timothy, who was not of a robust constitution, carried the vow too far, and hence the great apostle prescribed wine. He took wine, not as a beverage, bnt rs a mealcine ; and in modem times, the position or status of a Reohabite or member of any total abstinence society is not assailed when taking alcohol on the advice of his physician.

He (Mr MoNiooll) was not one of those who anathematised alcobolic drink, or desired to sweep it entirely out of the world. It was not altogether a bad thing; it had its uses. Bat its place was the druggist’s shop. la so Paul’s advice to Timothy was spoken under inspiration, and there was a kind of Divine authority for the use of aicoho as a medicine. But it mast be remembered that the wine of Scripture was not the vile ruobish retailed now a-days. Recipes could be had which would manufacture a “ fine old port,” compounded from all sorts of trash, and which never knew the juice of the grape. Timothy was not advised to drink such stuff.

Were men who drink to excess to obtain an analysis of the "doctored” liquors which they daily poured into their stomachs they would be Startled. The wine mentioned in the Bible contained about 20 per cent of alcohol. Dilute! with water this would be reduced to 10 or 7 per cent, and there was as little alcohol in that as there was in a bottle of gingerbeer.

What is right in some ages of the world i B wrong in others. it was his opinion tha*- if the Divine Teacher trod the world now be would be a total abstainer, and ueve r give countenance to drinking customs by turning water into wine. Tbe Jews were not addicted to intemperanceOn the other hand the British nation, notwithstanding its influence and power, was branded as the most drunken—at tfie game time most religious—nation on the face of the earth: a bitter pill to swallow !

The strongest argument in favor of total abstinence was that laid down by St Paul in 1. Corinthians viii., 13. Selfdenial was at tbe root of the matter, and no man or woman should claim to be a follower of the saviour who, if the call of duty was clear, would not abstain from drink for his brother’s sake.

Concerning the seller and purchaser of strong driuk, " heil and damnation ” were hurled at the dealer, while the drunkard came in for a large amount of mistaken pity. If be (the preacher) had his way, the man who played ducks and drakes with his money in oriuK, and then aouted and ill-used his family, would bo strapped to a post and receive forty laahes.

Teetbtallors needed the caution that " total abstinence ” did not mske a Christian of a man. There was something to be thankful for in reformation, but there were higher and safer grounds to be attained to which he would exhort them to make the additional step.

An open-air service took place last night on the railway reserve, opposite the Somerset Hotel. Brief exhortations were given by the Rev D. McNiooll and Mr G. w. Leadley. It was announced that the services would be continued on fine Sunday evenings during the summer mouths.