Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1833-05-30
FOR THE LlTCHFIELD ENQUIRER.
TEMPERANCE, No. III.


The writer whose views have, in former commit
nicatons, considered, after styling wine an alcoholic
drink, BECAUSE in its ermened state il contains al
cohol, says; IF the Lord gave this alcoholic drink
to his people for blessing making pleasan, 10 the
taste, and in his word allowed them to use it, who
dare assert that it is poison indicating that tire Crea
tor intended it an instrument to ensnare and destroy
his creatures3 Who dare to accuse the Holy One Of
Israel Of such decet2 Yet mach ofihe language oG
our day presents This inference plain the light
Drunkenness is great evil in the sight Of God, but
we think it small when compared with this. I, for
one, wish to he excused from having any hand in pre-
ferring such charge against tbe Creator, however
much it may accord with the spirit oflhe age.''
From this passage il appears, that because alcohol
exists in fermented wine, and because God gave wine
TO his people for blessing, making it agreeable TO
their taste; therefore the author is afraid call alcO-
hol poison and thinks it would be better he
drunk than TO do tits, /, seems, impossible that al
cohol should be poison, and very great sin 10 say
that il is
The impression which this view of,he subject will
make some minds will doubtless be, that the author
is very conscientious man. He does not even in
quire whether the article in question is or is no, poi
there allowed and the Use of it apparently sanctioned
devou,iy cuts drinks it, daring doubt. Some,
attracted by this example OF conscen,iousness will
perhaps be ready 10 say; " Let US 60 and do like
WISE"
Blu. before we begin, it will be well for us to con-
slider whether able to finish, this principle.
1t is comprehensive one, and several may Do
drawn from the bible, to which it directly applies.
p ~ n+arG GSol hi
man pair; Behold have given YOU every herb
bearing Seed which is upon the face Of all the earth,
and every tree in the which is the fruit Of yield
ing seed; to you il shall be for meat Furtler;-
"And God every thing that he had made, and be-
hold it was very good" do not know that through
ont the bible there is more unqualified recommended
ton Of wine or any other article, than is contained in
these passages of every thing that can be eaten or
drunk. It is said that every herb shall be to man for
meat and that all that God has made is good. And
lest it should be thought that this grant only referred
in his original state ofinnocency; IS express
" referred to, being in f,rce after the deuge; and
the grant is superadded TO it. Of every species OF an'-
mall every moving thing that liveth shall be meat
for you; even the green herb have given you ALL
things" There is no animal, nor any herb. which
these terms do not include. . .-
But there are certain herbs. which some people
have hitherto refused TO eat, under the impression
that they are poisonous. And when others have eat-
en- them, and have fallen sick and died. they have
truied their sickness and death to their eating the
aforesaid herbs. Indeed most people determine what
is poisonous and what is wholesome, without refer
enee to their bibles. ..g
How. would il be with Mr.. Peltoni Could he de-
termne any article to he poison, If he found allowed
in the bible and pleasant to the tastei Il does not
appear that his principles. he could do it. There
are several articles which call poisonous which
very pleasant to the taste. Suppose then person
should offer him hemock, any ofthose herbs which.
though generally considered poisonous, are pleasant
to the taste. Would he eat il, or drink detection
Ofhf As cannot make the experiment, We caR
only conjecture what he would do in such q case.
hazard the opinion tina. he would not swallow any OF
these Ihings that he would reject them Al once With
out examining his bible. The case iS submitted 10
every candid person. whether this seruple about cali
ing things poison extends any thing besides inlsxi-
eating liquors. My Owa belief d that il does nOs.
That 10 regard 70 wiae, hsandy, rum. gin, whiskey.