An Address on Prohibition.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 132, 3 December 1896, Page 2

An Address on Prohibition.

Mr Hoot", in his address nt tbe Stanway School- room, last Monday evening (Mr Wheeler voted to tbe chair), paid he looked upon Prohibition as an extremely dangerous measure from every standpoint, whether viewed religiously, politically, morally or financially. The two aspects most prominent at tho present time were tbe religious and political, the latter being the lever of oppression to crush into submission a large intelligent and temperate minority. The religious view was much more dangerous as there was nothing so perilous to society as a mistaken and fanatical notion. They urns i: tnke into account the teaching of the Old Testament Scriptures, the teaching nnd practice of the .Saviour and the teachings of the aposile Paul. The Old Testament first mentioned the intoxicants in the case of Noah who first planted a vineyard and made wine with bad results to his son, but, he (Mr Boots) did not find one word of censure in Scripture in regard to bis weakuess, but the fon w«s rondo responsible for his conduct. He criticised a printed sermon by Mr Cocker on tho prohibition question and severely condemned it. Tho Divine Lawgiver sp.!pc;t.pd a people, placed them in a position suitable for tbe purpose and bestowed on them a constitution perfect lin every particular. It was not a few general principles which were uivon, but tbe most specific direction? for tbe nations health and happiness. So minute were the instructions that certain articles were forbidden to be used for ordinary purposes, but wine and stroug drink were not prohibited, tbeir use being freely allowed aud theifo was not tbe slightest doubt but I the Divine license thus given whs freely taken advantage of by the prince, tbe priest, and tbe peasant alike. Prohibition was not only without tbe pale «f Scripture, but was in direct con nict therewith and was proved to be a. false measure supported by false teaching, and roust end badly from a religious standpoint. The Saviour did not speak j of Prohibition, but on one memorable occasiou changed a large quantity of water ! into wive. lie quoted various instances where wine wa? used and asked, jAre these men, tbe Prohibitionists of to day, wisfir aud holier than Christ that they condemn what be allowed ".' Paul did not preach Prohibition to tbe Romans but Christ as tl>e all sufficient Savionr of sinners, not of tbe particular sin of drunkenness, but every sin which they committed. From a political aspect he bold that Prohibition was an uujustiti ab!e infnn<>eineut ou tbeporsonal liberty of the subject, ;iud tli-it compulsory abstinence was au insult to every respectable settler whether poor or rich. A liearr.y vof.e of tliauka was accorded Mr JUoots for bis address. There was a large attendance.