Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1851-08-01
THE FIRE BELL


suing week. 1t isa very able and interesting
work, of some As or 80 pages, written by Rev.
VIM. A. Shaw, M. D. 1t is cot our purpose to
review the Pamphlet at present-this we may
do when we have an opportunity of examining
a printed copy-but having read it in manu-
script, we feel safe in saying, that we conceive
it to be The best vindication of the Order of the
Sons of Temperance that we have seen, and
should be in the hands of every member Of the
fraternity, and by them widely diffused through
out the community. The Author discusses, both
Pathologically and Theologically, Che being both
"a Medical Practitioner and q Minister of the
GospeD the evils of Intemperance, its influence
and tendency; and also espouses and urges that
our Order is, emphatically, best calculated to
giant strides of Intemperance. The various
objections to this organization are taken up and
calmly, respectfully argued, examined and ex-
planned. We think any one who will read this
pamphlet, with a desire to be disabused of eTro-
neous opinions, if formed, cannot fail to rise
from its perusal with the conviction that the Or
der is eminsntly worthy the confidence and sup
POAb every uldutHTOpleJ IdlTlOb anu III
tian in the land. 1t thoroughly refutes every
reasonable objection to the Order, and the wea-
kest advocate of our cause can, with this Pam
phlet, completely silence the most willy and vim
dictive opponent he may chance 10 meet. Eve
ry Son of Temperance should purchase at least .
copies-one to read and keep himself, and one
to give away-and in this manner the work
-z,ll -. --- 1. g..
each Division would purchase %, 80 or 100
copies, as they may be able the vast amount of
good that would arise from this small outlay
would doubtless be incalculable. 1t can be pro-
cured by addressing the Editor of this paper
(post paid) at the following rates: 25 cents a
copy for less than Is copies; IS for 25; $40 for
so; $50 for 100 copies. Orders can be filed
next week.
As a striking passage, We extract the follow
ing remarks concerning the oft-quoted miracle
Of converting water into wine by our Saviour:
Because the Son of God made wine il a
miraculous manner, at Cana of ~allee, many
wine bibbers plead this as a license for their
use Of wine as a Common beverage. The
reasoning is entirely fallacious. 1t was an
extraordinary occasion, and like the multiple
cation of the loaves and fish, designed to con.
vince mankind that he possessed the attri-
butes of divine Providence, who "Opens His
hand and supplies the wants of every living
thing The 18th verse I'd chap. of John
, shews the design of Christ, and we must no
strain Scripture, as this is the way many wresf
it, to the annoyance and injury of others, anc
! &Ioir ou, 1as&-,o+,1n Tho ,.r 1u.aa offh,
; grape was an Misunderstanding drink, com
paratively, and all writers agree that this wa
the usual drink at festive and religious solem
4 mites among the Jews. That there were in
5 toxicating, highly fermented wines and spicec
j and dragged strong drinks, is however clear
q for these are r~eprobated forcibly in the in
spired writings.
As to the apology some strive to draw from
the text in the I'd chap. of Johns Gospel, i
is not justified in the context. A man nigh
r as well attempt to defend a little corn steal
4 ing every day, and by the cart load on th'
Sabbath, because the Lord, to a0hon it al
belonged, excused his hungry disciples 70
plucking a few grains of corn, as they passed
e through a field, on the Sabbath Men ar,
K too prone to justify their sensual, and Otter
villainous propensities, by perverting tn
u obvious sense Of Hsly Writ. A religion
e old rogue used to pocket his neighbor'i
e goods, steal his fence rails, and pilfer hi
e pumpkins. and quiet his conscience, by Jol
1. %, " In all this Job sinned not" On,
e day he came across another short text, whicl
) commanded, "Thou shalt not steal - an
S be confessed, that it cured him ofstealing a
well as of mis-applying the Holy Scriptures
The Bible cannot teach sin, misery, fanati
cism, or the practice of any vice, unless it
whole meaning be distorted and lost. Dis
>. tinguish the times and circumstances, an,
the Bible will always agree with God, il
self, and the truth. Every where, that 81
cred book condemns the common use of an
kind Of drink which tends to excess or il
temperance. What alcoholic or fermente
drink does not invariably tend to excess, a
ter the habit is once formed? Let the re;
der be candid. If we had fewer wine-lovin
Parsons, we should have fewer wine partie
in fashionable life. Nadab and Abihu q
drunk and offered strange fire before th
Lord. Although they were priests, the
were instantly punished. On the other han
the Rechabites were rewarded as well g
commended for their entire abstinence fro
wine. The matrons Of Israel, and the b
roes God was consecrating to some gre;
work, were enjoined entire abstinence frol
wine. If Sisera had closed his lips again
wine, Joel had not nailed his head to Il
floor! The example and influence of
minister of high standing to effect mischi
was manifested in a neighboring State. N
long since, while on a journey, he invited
youth who was travelling the same road,
ne !" take something to drink 1t would do hi
a good !" The youth politely refused. 1