Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1849-1856, 1852-04-08

which the Evangelists call "the fruit
of the vine," with which the last Sup
per was celebrated; and, still further,
. that in all cases, the wine denomlnated
! the blessing" is the unfermcnted,
and the "mocker" is the fermented
or alcoholic wine.
1t may not here be amiss to notice
very prevalent error, which exists in
relation to alcohol. Almost every one
unacquainted with the ublect, is i'm
pressed with the idea that alcohol is
the product of distilation. This is
not true. Dstillation never did and
never can produce single drop of
alcohol. Dstillation is not produc-
ing, but separating or a chemical
process, and serves to separate entire
ly the alcohol from the water. With
, this explanation it will at once be seen,
that to be consistent temperance men,
we must not only abstain from distill-
ed, but also from fermcntcd, drinks
We contend that the Use of common
wine, produced as it is by fermenta-
ton, and containing as it does, very
considerable quantity of alcohol, is
ust as dangerous as the use of rum,
gin or brandy; and we think the
blessed bible incucatcs this principle,
where we are commanded thus, Iook
not thou upon the wine when it is red !;
when he giveth his color in the cup
/ tvbnn ~ n,nvath ,tgnlf ,r,,,lt o,
last it biteth like serpent, and sting
eth like an adder" Was the sacred
penman fanatic All utraist or, did
he draw this vivid and graphic des-
cription from his own observation >
We put these questions to such Of our
opponents as pre- ume to say that fer
mentcd wines and alcoholic drinks are
"goOd creatures Of Corr and scan be
safety uad in modcrotion" viii
these dare to charge the inspired wri-
tiers as they do us well; why not .
do we say more than theyl If not,
how dare they call us fanatics, and
that ga good creature of God" which
the bible forbids us even to look upon
There is an inconsistency also. 10 be
noticed here, what is that moderation
which they say is safe! One will az
firm it is certain number of pota-
tions, and he will prove his premises
! by assuring Us il will require one more
! than these to lay him on the floor
| Another says one soarth OF this is en-
cess, and he will prove his theory with
! the assurance that the quantity he
names will deprive him of the use of
his senses, if not of his limbs. All do
not feel its effect alike. There is
quite as much difference in the effect
OF alcohol upon the brain, rs there is
in the physical powers of different in-
dividuaIs. Then let me enquire,
where is the safety in this matter 1t
is no unusual thing to see poor
wretch laying III the gutter, unable to
take care of himself, and another one
contcmptuousIy standing over him,
with more alcoho! in his stomach, If
not on his brain, than the one he affects
to deSpiSc for his weakness, if not for
his wickedncSs. Perhaps | shall be
reminded here that strcet-lrunkards
are seldom deprived of their senses by
the use of wine admit this truth,
and all my hearers have to do, is to
carry their imaginations from the street
to the elegant sofa of some parlor, ball
room or saloon to see the same ioath-
some figure, produced by wine, but
under circumstances of more refine
ment. 1t is lar more common here
than in the street, and although it
may be more gentccl to be drunk at
home, or at some place Of fashionable
amusement, than to be rolled about
and exposed to the public gaze, let me
tell you it is no less bcastly V or wicked.
Ii may also be more in accordance
with our ideas of refinement to get
drunk on old Madeira or Champaignc,
than on New England rum or whiSkcy;
but, let me remind YOU that this is no
palllation, in the sight of him who has
uncquivocalIv declared ono drunkard
shall inherit the kingdom of God. -
Indeed, | believe the winc-drunkard
the worst of the two. The poor wretch
who has DESTROYED his faculties, and
that has forgotten every thing dcccn-
cy or morality requires, Is an object
of pity, while the man of wealth who
thus abuses the goodness of God, and
turns the blessing with which he is
entrusted to debase himself, is a fit
object of contempt. True, the world
Judges differently, but the disclosures
of eternity will establish the fact. We
contend that IT is wrong, and that 1t lS
sinful also, to use any kind of icrmcnt-
ed or distilled liquors as a beverage;
and the reason is. because they all.
contain a greater or loss amount ct the
principle of intoxlcatIon, which de-
prvcs the man of his senses, of his
reputation, of his influence, of his
time, of his usefulness and of Heaven;
aud, because we believe IT plainly and
positively forbidden IN the bible. We
care not how pure the article may be,
as relates to aduteratlou; # 1t is fer
mentcd, it is the "mockcr," and We
are not to use it ourselves, provide 1t
for others or countenance IT'S Use IN
the community; no, not If We arc
thereby subjected to prosecutions, de-
nunciations and ridicuc, even by
those who fl exalted stations, or "bcar
the vessels of the Lord" OF unicr-
mented drinks we aypartake These
can be procured, and may be used and
~, ado a hlnssinn "a hon un chnn.n a -