Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-04-08
JUDAISM AND TEMPERANCE
Synopsis Of Rev. DR.. Samfleld's Lee.
Theological Deductions and
Valuable Suggestions from
A Profound Thinker.

Ouuaiom auu 16mperauCe,
and he took his text from the 3Ist chap
ter of Ecclesissticus: "Wine reioices
the heart of man, if drank in due sea-
son and in moderation" The rabbi
commenced with the statement that
moderation vas one of the cardinal vir.
tues Of Judaism and the Jewish people,
and both are unfavorable to extremes.
Whilst popular theology is excited about
hell and eternal punishment, the most
lntemperate hypothesis of retribution,
Judaism was temperate enough to reject
such horrible doctrine. The belief in
original aepravity aud exclusive saliva
ton are also examples of intempersnce
ia religion. Judaism With moderation
taught instead original purity and uni.
versal salvation. Even so with the ideas
of Judaism about the pleasures and en-
joyments of life. Theology denounced
them as so many demons; Judaism en-.
couraged their temperate use, and con-
sidsred them as angels sent by God. The
speaker then pointed out that in the abuse
and not in the use Of the thing is mischief
and danger. Men abuse many things,
but it would be extreme folly TO abstain
on that account. He then argued that
Judaism had no affinity with the present
temperance movement, simply because
there was no temperance principle in it.
Il was all abstinence. Temperance is
favored by Judaism and Jews; but O
abstinence. Temperance is manly-a
strengthening and noble discipline of
man, teaching selfmastery and obedi.
dience to law; %endoWing the soul with
authority to control the passions. Alb
Stinence is uhmanly cowardiee, weaken
ing human character and ~derogatory to
conscience, freedom of will and true
self-government. The rabbi then at
length commented upon the fact that the
bible, old and new, teaches temperance.
andI not abstinence, and how successful
this method worked in the character Of
the Jewish people, a drunkard being a
rare occurrence. He also illustrated
from a beautiful legend in the Tslmud
that only the excessive indulgence in
drinking is sinful. Moderate drinking
cannot be sinful, because sinful is an act
only when it is prompted by sinful mo.
tives, or if it results in w~ickedness; mod.
crate drinking never did it. Intemper.
ance should be abhorred by the Israelite
and by every rational being. The ex.
cesslve drinker is a mailman, who throws
away the most precious gift of God; he
destroys wilfully what the idiot loaes
through accident.
DR.. Samfsld then drew a vivid picture
of the horrible consequences OF habitual
drunkenness, concluding that the voice
Of conscience should be made strong to
teach US self.oontrol. Pledges amount
to nothing if the conscience is weak, if
neral discipline is wanting and self will
is tottering; and where these faculties
are in their normal condition, pledges
are not necessary. The sole efficacy Of
the pledge lies in the efficacy of self.goy.
eminent. A young man taking a pledge
plants the germ of perjury in his heart.
The intention Of the so'called temper.
ance societies is good and their object
praiseworthy, but they commence at the
wrong end and employ the wrong means.
To suppress the vice of intemrerance we
must commence at the bottom. Very
few consider that inebriation is a physi.
cal disorder arising from physical causes;
abnormal conditions of the human svs.
tenn and improper food may produce it;
stimulating food asks for stimulating
drink; a nervous disorder may create An
abnormal craving. Commence reform
here, treat an inebriats as you treat the
insane, erect asylums for drunkards and
put an excessive drinker in It ss soon as
he has been drunk ten times a month,
restrict your heating diet, and do not
make your stomach { furnace; have dis.
cipliue in everything. Concluding his
remarks, the doctor made an appeal to
the young men present to be worthy of
the confidence which Judaism put in
their character, in allowing them the
temperate use Of wine and of all the
gifts of God. They should follow the
example of their sires, and not dishonor
the name Of Israelite by the abominable
name of drunkard.
Owing to want of space we could rive
only an outline OF this lecture, which for
elevated intelligence, logical deduction
and conservative sentiment, wonld rom
mend itself to the consideration and re.
spect of all rightminded thinkers. Free
from rant, buster and the assumption
OF platOnic egotism too often manifested
BY the champions Of total abstinence,
the lecture was valuable in many re.
spects, and evidently suggests truths Of
no ordinary merit. DR.. Samfeid be
longs to the school Of active, vigorous
AID liberal minds whose intelligence and
philosophy exercise a marked and happy
degree Of influence upon tie pubic
mind and civilization Of the present