The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1881-03-24
nent as immoral and unchristian

The total abstinence system is "cOn
trary to revealed religion" and ''doin
unmeasured harm to the community
He considers it as the special an
direct cause of the growth Of drunk
enness in our land, and of a genera
generalization among religious com
munities;" asserts that it is exactl,
the kind of movement that rumseller
enjoy, and that it ought not to sue
ceed, never will and never can.
8. The pledge is unmanly and kills
character and self-respect.
4. The assertion that moderate
drinking leads to drunkenness is un-
true
5. The total abstainers bully and
intimidate the community and disgust
all good, sensible men.
g.. That what is needed to unite
sensible men, in movement sure to
succeed, is a license system recogniz-
ing the distinction between modera-
ton and excess, between harmless
wines and beer and strong drink.
Such a system, 'free from taint of
prejudice and instinct, with practical
wisdom, will establish order and peace
and save us from moral slough"
The looseness of these statements is
noticeable. DR.. Crosby says "the total
abstinence system is contrary to re-
vealed religion" )"
What is the ''total abstinence sys-
temp" It is abstalning from intoxi-
eating drink ourselves, and agreeing
with others to do so. How is this
contrary to revealed religion? Can
any one cite a text in the Bible or a
principle laid down there which for
bids it? Of course not; no one pre-
tends that he can. But DIR. Crosby's
argument is that Jesus drank intoxi-
eating wine and allowed it to others.
There is no proof that he ever did
drink intoxicating wine. But let
that pass, and suppose, for the sake of
the argument, that he did. What
then? To do what Jesus never did,
or to refuse to do what he did-are
such acts necessarily contrary to re-
vealed religion?" Let US see.
Jesus rode upon an lass and colt,
the foal of an ass" We find it con-
venient to use railways. Are they
contrary to revealed religion?" Jesus
never married, neither did most Of his
apostles. Is marriage, therefore, "con-
trary to revealed religion?" Jesus
wife if she had committed adultery,
he himself being judge and execu-
toner. We forbid him to do it and
make him submit to jury trial and a
judges decision. Are such divorce
laws, therefore, contrary to revealed
religion?" Jesus said to the person
guilty Of adultery: ''Go and sin no
more" ;" We send such sinners to the
state prison. Are our laws Furnishing
adultery, therefore, contrary to re-
vealed religion?" There was no wo-
men at the Last Supper We admit
them to it. Is this CONTRARY to re-
vealed religion?"
But the learned lecturer will, per-
haps, urge: Il do not mean exactly
what | said. | meant to point out
that the means you use-methods
with which you urge and support the
total abstinence theory-are contrary
to revealed religion. You strain and
pervert the Bible to get the example
of Jesus on your side, and so under
mine the authority Of the Scriptures.
1t would have been better if DR..
Crosby had originally said exactly
what he meant, and on so grave sub
iect we had right to claim that a
trained and scholarly y man should do so.
But. waving that, let us allow him,
as the courts do, to amend his de-
claration.
The total abstinence system is ''con-
trary to revealed religion" because we
strain and distort the Scriptures and
wrest them to serve our purpose, and
the chief instance upon which the
doctor mainly dwells is our assertion
that wherever drinking wine is refer
red to in the Bible with appreciation
aaye1mented wine is meant. Upon
this claim the Doctor pours out his
hottest Indignation, indulging in a
wealth of abusive epithets, and re-
turning to it again, ringing changes
on it, and turning it like a specially
sweet morsel under his tongue. In
deed, this may be considered the chief
thing he came to Boston to say.
Now, there is a class Of biblical
scholars and Interpreters who do assert
that wherever wine is referred to in
the Bible with appreciation it is un-
fermented wine. Of this class of men
DR.. Crosby says "that learned ignor-
ance is splendid" they are inventors
lof a theory of magnificent daring;''