The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1873-04-04
Temperance.

In accordance with the wishes of number of
give below synopsis of Rev. E. D. Finney's
sermon on Temperance, delivered in his church
in this place, on Sabbath, the Odd of March:
Wine has been used ever since the DAYS of NoaI
We have no record of its use before the flood
Inc vine grew ana the grape was eaten but it
was not pressed for its juice. Noah was proba-
bly, the first to make wine and use it and not
knowing OF the new properties created by fer
mentation, in innocence drank too freely. 9th
ers were warned by Noah's intoxication and
made moderate use of it.
The vine is native of the east; our earliest
records contain accounts Gifts extensive culture.
The Egyptians cultivated it before the DAYS of
Homer and Herodotus. We find carved on their
most ancient tombs the vine the trcadinp of the
cape and the storing of the wine in jars. FIRE.
quent mention is made in the Scriptures of vine
yards, wine presses and wine. Melchiscdec
brought out wine to Abraham, The daughters
of Lot gave it to their father Isaac drank if
from the hand OF Jacob his son, and part of Ja-
GODS blessing upon his son Judah was that he
might have an abundance of wine. The vine
yards of Sorek, ofSebamah, of Jazer of Nuboth
ofSolomon; the wine presses of Joash, of Zccb !:
the great quantities owned and used by the kings
governors and rulers, and the making of water
into wine at the feast in Cana of Galilee show its
common and abundant use. There was no gene
raj prohibition or condemnation of its use
There were some special cases of prohibition
such as Aaron and his sons who mnistered at
the altar; Nazarite under his vow; Manoah
and Sampson her sou, and John the tore runner
of Christ. ''
We infer from these facts, that there is no.
thing morally wrong in planting vineyards hay
ing wine presses, making, using, drinking wine
ana handing 1t to Others. "Rut take heed, lest
by any means this liberty become stumbling
block to them that are weak" The ONLY intoxica-
ting drink mentioned in Scriptures is wine, and
wine mixed with spices and drugs, which added
to Its oXicating qualities-this is called mixed
wines orstrong drink; and as it took less quanti-
ty OF this to produce intoxication it was general
ly used in cases of revelry, rioting and drunken
ness. But few drink because they love the taste
OF the intoxicating cup. IL is because they love
the effects it; the dreamy, scottish and idotic
condition in which 1t places them. If they could
see them, they would be SO disguised at their
idiocy and shame that, like Noah, they would
never drink it again.
When man is under the influence of intoxi-
eating drink, he is incapable of doing his duty.
Whether he is q preacher LAWYER, merchant.
physician, farmer or mechanic, intoxication de,
grades him, and units him for his work. No
public position or trust should be committed to
O man VINO drinks to excess intoxicating liquors.
This fault counterbaances all the good qualities
he may possess No voter should vote for him.
If sober men cannot be found, let the offices re-
main vacant. We have too many men seeking
Office, let the Office seek the man thcr-ao.pr.r.
tion and drunkenness will not be know, IN b;dh
places. Temptations surround these L, III 81.
fees and many men are ruined therein. '''''' VA
There are some who can take q social tx,ose o,a
refrain at pleasure. There are Others. wa of,n.
taking the first glass, will not be satisna6 until
they make themselves beastly drunk. To this
class there is but one rule. 1t is 'Toucb nnt
taste not handle not" "Look not thoh, n no,,
the wine" Prov 90: 81 SO. "poh
There are others who know their failirba o,a
the treacherous power of Intoxicating drill, over
them, yet go where it is place Themselves in lie
reach, and knowingly and deliberately tbkn ths
cup and say they cannot resist The
temptation or control themselves. NoSfw,,b0'
standing this, they do know that they cant resHt
the temptation and control themselves d thev
'cant to- and if they do not want to the II w;i,
yield and drink They can go days andR EVEN wen,
weeks, having the same desire for it, and a{Anidst
similar temptations, without drinking any, 81 q
ing positively that when they really wai.y 1 7
Keep from drinking they can do 1t and will do A
The man who denies this position has lost 4 1. |
manhood. 1t belttles and debases man foru II
azliiu;;.S;,. cf :; 1alf that he canno y, ~
knoYahe can uo,