The Evening Star. TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1871

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 504, 22 August 1871, Page 2

The Evening Star.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 22, 1871

" For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrong that needs resistance. For the future in the distance,, And the good that we can do." '

There has been a good deal of controversy in the city respecting a discourse recently delivered in one of the churches, which has given high offence to the teetotallers. The reverend gen tleman based his remarks on the miraculous turning of water into wine at the marriage feast of Cana; and, as we are informed, among other things deduced the conclusion that the manufacture of intoxicating drinks was

perfectly legitimate. Congregations are so accustomed to hear " peace! peace !" from the pulpit that a.Minister with boldness enough to eipress his convictions, when those convictions are distasteful to his hearers, is looked on as a species of monster. We learn that in the case of one person present, a pensioner on the bounty of the country, so greatly was his righteous indignation moved against the honest preacher, that he then and there arose up and left the Church. We do not desire to enter upon the theological aspect of the question as being unsuited to the columns of a newspaper, contenting ourselves with merely making the common sense remark that if the manufacture of intoxicating drink is a very wicked thing, this would not have been created on the occasion iv question. We are aware that those who know nothing of the original tongues, and argue not for the elucidation of truth, but the support of preconceived opinions, will say that the " old wine" was not intoxicating, and that the wines of old times were but the expressed juice of the grape, unsubjected to fermentation or any other process. With such it is.not worth while wasting argument. .The wines of ancient times were exceedingly intoxicating, and were quite as capable of being wisely uaed or grossly abused as are the brandies and tho whiskeys, and the beers of our own age. JFrom the description of the miraculous wine of Cana, it is very clear that if those present at the feast had taken enough of it they would have got grossly drunk. And' nothing could be more 'preju dicial to the faith aud mgi|Z,'. of the people than for a Z/V lie religious teacher to atteraji to bamboozle them by f argumentation, the baselessness of which must tend to produce scepticism. The great Teacher unquestionably meant to put down asceticism, just as on another occasion he assailed extreme Sabbatarianism. The mcv of the time exalted reverence for the Sabbath into the position of being a substitute for religion, duty, and morality, justjas. fanatical teetotallers of1 the present day exalt abstinence from intoxicating drinks over piety. And just as then certain people believed that a man was sure to be consigned to G-ehenna if he did nob observe the new moons aud Sabbaths, so there are persons now who, however in deference to politeness they may waive the soft impeachment, really believe that a man that takes a glass of beer is without the realm pf hope. We assert that it is the duty of the preacher now, as it was felt to bo duty by the great Exemplar, eighteen centuries ago, to denounce fanaticism in whatever form it may appear, and public opinion should honestly corainend the plain.spoaking Minister that in the very teeth of those whom he knew to differ from him, held forth the naked truth. We are confidem that nothing was said urging to gross indulgence in stimulants, but merely that there is nothing in religion as there is not in reason, lo command a total refraining from any of the good gifts of nature

Than teetotalisin nothing can be better—for those to whom it is a necessity. It is notorious that the most zealous teetotallers are reformed drunkards. They have drunk and drunk and drunk, till they could drink no more. And when they had almosi killed themselves by their brutal in dulgence, and turned over a new leaf from absolute necessity, they turn round and abuse everybody because everybody won't run to the same excess of asceticißin. Like the fox that got his tail cut off", they insis; on every one mutilating himself o his liberty. If teetotallers confined themselves to sober argu ments in inducing others to see thtbeauties of temperance or even: tee totailism, they would not produce thai revolt against their views, which is generally indulged, nor would their fanaticism require to be denounced from the pulpit. But when they go about shaking their heads at people who take a glass of beer, and try to make them believe that it is a very wicked thing, then they become intolerable. JBeing often men of but a single idea, their molehill becomes a mountain, and they become altogether oblivious of the fact that they make themselves a nuisance. We have no doubt that it was only such rabid water-drinkers.that came under the lash in the recent discourse. There are sober teetotallers, just as there are sober drinkers of stimulants* and there are some whose principles it is impossible to not respect. Tbey honestly believe that they are better without stimulants, and that others would be better too; and by example, as well as precept, they endeavour to lead to safety those that are liable to fall. These are they who promote the cause of temperance, and commend it to their fellow men. They believe that a man may take his daily tot decently, and without being very wicked; but feeling that there is danger, they say, " Como, and I will show you a more excellent way." But with the man who is intoxicated with his own conceit, and does injury to the cause, by virtually regarding all who are not teetotallers as sinful men. it is impossible to have patience, and we are exceedingly pleased that; this form of stupid fanaticism has been lashed from the pulpit. We learn that " pressure" is to be brought on

the minister for speaking out:his>convictions, and we shall inform:ourselves .further on the subject.