Litchfield enquirer., 1871-03-23
For the Enquirer. TEMPERANCE.

MR. ED1ToR:-In my last communication think I fairly proved, from limited amount of the evidence which might have been produced, that both the common and the choice wines of ancient times were un- common being unfer-
 mented because new or preserved by in- expensive means; the choice being pre- served by more delicate processes and en-
 riched by age. At those times there were
 also, undoubtedly, other wines, strong,
 mixed, drugged, used to some extent both
 by the ruder or more more vicious of the
 luxurious classes; and this practice became
 more or less frequent as the periods were
 more or less characterized by simplicity
 and virtue. The Bible recognizes both
 these facts. and freely commends or allows
 the former, while it as freely condemns or
 warns against the latter-written by large
 number of authors, covering 8 space of
 four thousand years, it's modes of expres-
 sion as we'll as the distinctive words em
 ployed vary accordingly. yet throughout
 the volume, under these different terms.
 there is beverage mentioned frequently
 with express disapprobation, or in connec-
 COu WlLn urunKen IeasJs or us au emulem
 of temporal and eternal judgements, and
 another ment ntioned with express approval
 or in connection with religious festivals or
 as an emblem of temporal and eternal
 blessings" l shall not attempt full
 analysis of texts. but content myself with a
 condensed statement. As to the words
 employed: there are ia the O. T. nine and
 in the N. T. two, all entirely different,
 though indiscriminately translated in our version "wine." Of the Hebrew, six occur in only few scattered instances and their meaning is obscure. They apparently re- fer sometimes to the fruit in it's natural state, sometimes to the juice in either condition, sometimes to drugs and mix lures, sometimes to dried cakes. The oth- CT three are frequent and more definite. Of these, the first is that which I mention. ed at the outset of the discussion, viz, gain. It is generic and signifies the juice either as in the ripe grape ready to burst or ''press out" or us already ''pressed" by force. It is employed one hundred and forty-one times. Of those in which it is conce ded to indicate drink there are seventy. one in which it is condemned. either by direct admonition or by warning exam pie. Nor are these condemnations confined to excessive indulgence. In some it is so, but in more, the thing itself, in its nature. is branded as evil, (twelve denounce it as "poisonous or "venomous''). or it's use is strictly prohibited to certain classes. In Ahirty-three texts it is merely mentioned, as an existing article, a possession, without or disapproval or disapproval. In thirteen it is named in connection with religious observances. In some of these, such as the thank offerings. it denoted either the grapes. or, when it was with the Eirst products of the season. it was, if liquid. new and unfermented, or is mingled with a sacrifice it must also have been so, because the Jews were not allow sd to present any fermented thing in typical sacrifice. ferment being considered the symbol of corruption. as science shows lt aetuallyto be. We have left, therefore, 's0enty four passages, out of hundred and in Sn1 n.,s,a se a1 Several of these speak of it distinctly as the fruit in the vineyard or the vat, others as beverage, but illustrat- ing fguratively spiritual blessings; others. again. as producing certain harmless and even desirable effects. As an example of Ehe latter I can only quote ''yain that mak- sth glad the heart of man." How? By its exhilarating quality? There is no warrant Tor such an interpretation. We finda sim
 lar statement in regard to very different substance. "C0rn shall make the young nen cheerful" Does that exhilerate them? 30, too. ''Thou hast put gladness 1.-the same vord1 in my heart more than in the time
 hat their corn and wine increased" and md again ''Be glad in the Lord and re. oice ye righteous" I understand the yladness to be that of thankful spirit for he providential gift of pleasant, refresh. ng luxury, either as the delicious grape or
 he luscious. innocent juice of it. In the 'ame spirit the Bridegroom is represented 's saying ''I am come into my garden, my 'pouse. I have drunk my wine with my milk" (the modern wine thinker avoids vine with milk. lest it should curdle and 'ioken himD "Eat O friends: drink, yea. lrink abundantly. o beloved" The advo- ,ate of moderate indulgence in an intoxi- ,ating beverage could not echo such an sxhortation; but if we suppose it to refer Q Che pure. rich juice it can we'll typify abundant enioyments with the heavenly Lord. On the whole, then, conclude hat the consnsendation or olowancs of yain
 s either in it's natural state, from the vine, pr in it's simplest shape from the press, un- Fermented. Another Hebrew word trans
 ated in our version ''wine" is tirosh. This 'ccufrs tsirsy sigh times. and in every in- stance is named as blessing. But what