TEETOTALISM VERSUS THE TEMPERATE USE OF WINE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXX, Issue 2426, 28 January 1888, Page 2 (Supplement)

TEETOTALISM VERSUS THE TEMPERATE USE OF WINE.

Temperance—against such there is no law.' Gal. v. 23.

At a time when the much vexed question of teetotalism versus the temperate use of wine, &c, has led to some acrimony anions different christain brethren, as evidenced by the war of words not long ago carried on in a christain periodical, though somewhat abruptly terminated by the convenient suppression of nearly all communication not on the editorial or total abstaining side, it may not be out of place to publish in this form the following remark of an eminent commentator and divine, the Rev. Canon Ryle, who, in his commentary on St. John's Gospel, chap. ii. v. 10. page 101, thus observes : — " This is perhaps the proper place to remark that it seems utterly impossible, on any fair and honest interpretation to reconcile the passage before us with the leading principles of what is commonly called"' teetotalisrn." If our Lord Jesus Christ actually worked a miracle in order to supply wine at a marriage feast, it seems to me impossible by any ingenuity that drinking wine is sinful. Temperance in all tilings is one of the fruits of the spirit. An intemperate man is an unconverted man. Total abstinence from fermented liquors is in many cases most useful and desirable. But to say, as many do say, that to drink any fermented liquor at all is ' a sin, , is taking up ground that cannot be maintained in the face_ of the passage before us without wresting the plain meaning of scripture, and charging Christ with abetting sin." Whatever may be our own individual opinion and practice in this matter, and giving all honour to those who from christain or conscientious motives are total abstainers, all must agree that the une of intemperate or uncharitable language in advocating total abstinence will notijcii'-fit but rather injure the cause of temperance, and wo have no right, as Canon Ryle has foroibly shown, to call that a siii which is uo sin, or, as is sometimes done by teetotallers, to denounce or unchristianizo tho-cwho think differently from them, and who, though not totally abstaining, arc strictly temperate in the use of wine. In a matter too like this, not scripturally binding as a positive obligation on the christaiu conscience, and°about which not only doctors and divines are not agreed, but there is so great a difference of opinion among the truest christains—affected and modified no doubt by varying considerations in different individuals—such as health, previous habits, time of life, medical advice, and the like, christain charity does seem to require, that overy temperate brother should be allowed, without condemnation, to exercise his christain liberty, and to judge for himself. "Who art tliou that judgest another man's servant? To his own master he standeth or falleth ;" and "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind." —Rom. xiv. 4, ii.