Litchfield enquirer., 1833-06-20
FOR THE ENQUIRER. TEMPERANCE, No. V,

>'.. TEMPERANCE, No. V.
 My last communication designed to show, by an
 induction ofpartculars that the language of the bible respecting wine, and the various instances in which, without any express dsaowance, it is, in that book recognized as being in use, furnish no ground for the conclusion that it is not poison. The subject ! was not then flushed; and now resume it.
 passage of scripture, which has by some been considered giving sanction to the of wine and strong liquor, is that which allows communication for the food which was in ordinary cases prescribed for the feast oiithes. The permission was, substance, thisIn the residence o Israelite was too far distant from the appointed place Of celebrating the tiona festivals, to admit his carrying the 1.-the Of his produce ihither, he allowed to turn it into money, to go thi,her with the money; and there to "besow that money for whatsoever his soul used af ter; for oxen, for sheep, wine, or for strong drnk, for whatsoever his soul desr ed" and to eat before the Lord and rejoice. The question which to minds presents itself is: "lfwine is of the quail iy represented, why is it here permitted d?" Some ask it with air of triumph, #. the liquor being specifically allowed, it absurd to suppose poi son. But these views 10 arise from want of proper attention to the passage. as a whole.
 By reading the whole passage carefully, it will be perceived, that the permission is, not simply to eat sheep and oxen, and to drink wine and strong drink but and drink whatsoever the soul lus,eth af- l ter, desireih." There is given them an unlimited range the divine authority imposing them, far as the passage goes no restriction, not even abstinence | from that which ceremonialy unclean. There certainly are some things, which, though eatabe or drinkabe, physically speaking are poisonous. Some agreeable the taste that they are o4- ten greatly desired. Pleasant but poisonous articles might have been desired by the Israetes and doubt less would be, in cases. What then [ Are fhev sanctioned by the bible! The language is it gives permission 10 eat and drink whatsoever the soul should {" lust afer " and nothing s excepted.- Does then this permission prove ihal they are not poi sen-slhat all that person may desire to drink
 is harmlessf As much, doubtless, as it proves the f same thing oi wine and strong drink. Respecting eve- " thing that Israete possibly could desire 10 eat or to drink the same is proved that this permission proves respecting these liquors That is to say, noh- ing at all proved respecting ofany thing
 the question whether wine strong drink, or any thing else, is poisonous wholesome, is not touched. ap- prehend that the permission means simply what may be expressed in ihe following terms. Eat and drink wl,aeve, you please, unless you know Of some pru- luCge from what you know flhe qualities of things; and from what have elsewhere laid down."
 There is one iaci, which, perhaps, has more inHu- ence on most minds than aI others combined. It is ths.-At the marriage of Cana, our Saviour wrough. his first miracle, which was turning water into wine. The difficulty which arises here. i" be minds ofsome,
 s ,o see how our Savior wrought miracle to supply
 liqDer which is poison, which has poison in i.- And in others tFe inference seems to be, that since our Lord mracuIousIy supplied the liquor. and direct ed to be carried 10 the ruler Of the feas there not possibly be any harm in our drinking it. whenever l we please. Ifexperience had not taught something this sub jeci does not appear why rhe inference. that, snee the wine was miracuIously furnished. every person may with safety drink much oft as he pleases would not be equally logical. We have, however, learned 60 much of the qualities oi eFmesed lquOrs that this inference is not likely sO be dsawn. By drinking a certain quantity of wine, effect is pro- daced sn she system. which s had efIsct Why this fact should not seem HcOmpreheosble, io those who think that there cannot be any thing poisonous or bad