The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1888-07-11

THE PAULINE PRINCIPLE OF TOTAL
ABSTINENCE.
|. Cor. S:1.13. Golden Text-Rom.
14;21. Practical application.
1. We have in this lesson the duty
of total abstinence based upon tie
principle of regard for the welfare of
others. The conclusion of the matter
is given in verse 13. Wherefore, if
meat maketh my brother TO stumble,
l will eat no flesh forevermore, that
make not my brother to stumble"
Revised version, verse IL, holds the
great persuasive argument for self de.
nial. Shall the weak brother perish,
for whom Christ died ? Verse ~ brings
saddest charge of all. But when ye
sin against the brethren, and wound
their weak conscience, We sin against
Christ. How appealing these words
in the light of the lessons of the quar-.
ter. If Paul would give up meat,
good in ITSELF because by its misuse
some we're hurt, what strength of con.
demnation should be applied to the
use of that which is cause of woeful
stumbling to multitudes, and in itself
is an "irritant narcotic poison ?"
2. Christ's making wine at Cana is
often used as an excuse for moderate
and refined drinking. But in the alb.
sence of positive proof as to the kind
of wine Jesus made at that marriage
feast, ii is certainly binding upon US
to interpret this act of our Lords in
the light Of His character and mission.
Can we for moment believe that He
would have perverted the health.giv.
ing water into that which poisons body
and brain, and imperils the soul
Strangely out of harmony with all his
life and work to save and help men
such doing would be.
Jesus said of himself, "Think not
that l am come to destroy the law, or
the prophets l am not come to de.
stroy, but to fulfill" Matt. SIT.
Set over against this declaration the
command: "Look not thou upon the
wine when it is red" Prov. 1881.
"Woe unto him that giveth his neigh.
Dor drink, and makest him
drunken" Hab. 2:15. swine is a
mocker, strong drink is raging, and
whosoever is deceived thereby is not
WISE" Prov. pol.
On the other hand, how perfectly in
harmony with himself aud nature, and
how beautiful withal to suppose, as
does DIR. Norman Kerr and others,
that Christ accomplished in q mo-
ment that which takes several months
each year, the conversion Of the wat.
cry sap of the vine into wine in the
grape" This Interpretation is sus,
tanned by Chrysostom, who says
"Showing that it is He who change:
the water in the vines and the rain
absorbed through the root into wine
who did in an instant at the marriage
that wors which takes long time il
the plant" And Augustine: "Fo,
He on that nuptial day made wine il
the six pots which He ordered to bt
filed with water, who every yeal
makes this in the vines" Other dis
tinguished scholars give the same
opinion. Surely this would be tht
swine that maketh glad the heart o
man." spoken of in connection will
other good things of the earth, oil anC
bread (Ps. 104:15), tree. We'are con
fident, from the deadly element of al
cohol which is as truly the basis of tn
lighter fermented beverages as of tn
more fiery distilled liquors, that this i
the true Interpretation.
} 3. But whoever may dissent fron
this view, none who claim allegianc
to the Master and love for humanit
can fail to be touched by PauPs ap
peal for the practice Of total absti
5 nence. Wrecks of once noble youn
t men, encouraged in the drink habi
by the example of eminent men, atte;
sorrowfully to the evil of moderation
How often in our efforts to induce tn
boys to abstain from the use of tc
bacco, is heard the plea, "Mr. -
= smokes. Isn't he a good man?" Al