Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-18
rFOr the DlEpsteh.l
ReplJ 10 =. N. Edwards.
".

The members Of the Monticello
Grape and Fruit-Growers' Association
can and do al read the Bible in the PLAIN
language, and apply the ordinary logi-
cal rules Of Interpretation.
From that we learn that grape-grog-
ing, vine-msking, and the proper use
thereof as 3 beverage is not interdicted,
but fully authorized and sanctioned.
The Ten Commandments do not forbid
1t, and il is thought that an approximate
compliance with these Is as much as
fallen humanity can reach without any
additions thereto by your followers
that, IN fact. more earnest effort on
your u mean your party part would
disclose the fact that no more are need
ed for practical life. The Nazsrites
alone art forbidden the use Of wine
specifically in the Old Testament, and
ss consequence its use was permitted
70 al others. Even these, we are told
by rabbinical Interpretation Of the law,
must. after lapse Of the time Of 3d.
stiDeDce, bring sir Offering fOr having
refrained from enjoying q gift offered
by benign Providence.
There never was nor is there any pub
lie or private Jewish festivity without
the use Of wine. The daily sacrifices
were accompanied by drink-ofering
Of wine.-Exodus XIV. 40. First-fruit
iithes were paid IN Of wine as Of al
other prOducts.-Deuteronom xviii. 1.
Wine Is spoken Of as gift - which
cbeeretb God and man. - judges TX.
u. he canseth the Grass 10 grow for
the cattle and herbs for the service Of
man, that be may bring forth food out
Of the earth and wine that maketh glad
the heart Of man, aud oil 10 make his
face shine. and bread which strengthen
eth mEn beart.-Psalms civ, 1915.
Give strong drink INTO him that Is
ready 10 perish, and wine unto those
that be heavy Of heart. Lei him drink
and forget has poverty and remember
his misery no mOre.-proverbs XXX.
e.. Just preceding this caution is
given TO kings and princes not TO be
given 70 Its use. evidently because Of
the Official responsibility Of their du-
ties, but encouraging the above TO use Il.
We are also acquainted With your
Duch-quoted Proverbs xiii, %. 90,
81 Look not thou upon the wine
when j; is red" &C.. which you ham
mer into children TO lnstil the idea that
wine is prohibited. A most pernicious
and foul perversion , for you separate
II from verses 2O-2I. It's true connec-
ton, where II says, - BE not among
winebibberE among riOtous eaters Of
flesh for the drunkard and the gluttoD
shall come 10 poverty and drowsiness
shall cl0tbe man with rags"
Tbs entire chapter Is caution against
al eIcessss. II warns against the CON-
pany Of drunkards, and equally the
glutton. You can with equal Justice
apply il against the eating Of flesh and
drinking Of wine. This is only sam
pie Of your continued perversion Of al
passages touching this. YOs say that
when God told AarO1-Leviticus, Z,
p" Do not drink wine nor strong
drink, thou nor thy sons with thee,
when ye 20 into the tabernacle OF the
congregation, lest We die" &C., that
this is 3 prohibition against the general
use Of wine. But you fail to point out
10 the casual reader the fact thai shortly
before this Aaron, yielding to the
clanor Of the mob. made tbs golden
calf, falling into the grosSest idolatry
Exodus xxi. nor the fact thai
though the intercession OF Moses
Aaron had been forgiven and ne and ms
two sons, Nadlb snd Abihu, had been
consscraied TO the priesthood ,LeTiticus
vii and yet these two sons were con
sumed by the unholy fires they had
built Then If is that God. as q pun
ishment for his gross transgressions and
weaknesses, deprived him OF the use Of
wine when be went into the taDernacle
Of the congregation mot generally
under the penalty Of death
But, you say: :. Wine Is mocker,
strong drink is raging. and whosoever
is deceived thereby is not wise.
Proverbs Xxx, !. Do you call that
prohibition By no means. IL Is
caution not 60 be deceived that Is, not
TO abuse It's use.
Next you give US Woe unto him
that givsth his neighbor drink, that
puttest thy bottle 70 him and makeSt
him drunken also, that thou mtyesi
look or their nakedness. "-Habakkuk
Il, IS.
The whols of this chapter is vision
foreshadowing the rspscity and boast
full impissy Of the Chaldean hosts.
smnngst which this their misuse o.
drink. spilled TO others with an esll
purpose and dssign, is but ans OF many
Of lie causes for which thsy shat re-