Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-07-15

place TO pOuShed tables and WalnScOat OF
marble, onyx or polished wood. The days Of
the pewter" mug have passed. and the age de-
mands glittering glass and silver and the finest
table linen. JOHN F. COYLE.
Communion Wine Again.
To the Editor Of The Evening Star,
did not propose to discuss this question. for
it has been argued over and over many times,
but as two Of your correspondents have replied
to my article OF the 9th instant, will you permit
me to say word in support Of my position,
and then am done with the subject?
Mr.. B. NJ. Miller in Saturdays STAR gives the
views of an unknown writer in the Christian
Union in 1891, to show that there was but one
wine known 70 the ancients, the intoxicating
VINE, and concludes that the wine Christ made
and blessed was OF this character. l will quote
also, but will name my authority. In the
christian Herald and Signs Of Our Times"
November 16, 1892. Mrs. Nj. s. Barbour, Fort
Wayne, Ind, asked three questions of DR.. T..
Dewitt Talmage and received replies as fol-
lows:
81. Was the wine used BY the Lord at the
institution Of the Lords Supper fermented or
intoxicating wine?" Answer-''The question
has long been argued without result. It is most
probable that it was the unfermented Juice of
the grape
"2. Is it disparaging to Christ to decline in
toxicating wine at the sacramento Answer
Master in not tasting it; but many churches
now use notwithstanding wine at the COM
munion."
''3. II there danger to a converted man, once
a drunkard, In partaking of wine Qntoxicating)
at the communion?" Answer.-.'Yes: there ia
danger Of the taste Of the wine reviviug the
siumbering appetite. but not the same danger
as he would incur il he drank it elsewhere. The
solemnity Of the service would have a tend
ency to counteract the temptation, but there is
no miraculous property about the sacramentai
wine, depriving 1t Of its seductive influence"
DR.. Talmage Is supported in the view of I'M
fermented grape juice by many men Of high
standing who have been long in the east
will quote from one, TAYLOR Lewis IL D. .
As found in Buffers "Bible Work." vol. l. D.
81, par. 9: whether among the Jews, and in
our Sayior's day, there was a wine that con-
tanned no alcohol is hard to be determined, al
though in regard to the significance of the He
brew ydy,n and the Greek oinOs there can be
but little doubt. These words simply meant
the liquid that came from pressing the grape.
There is no evidence Of any further idea assoc
ciated with it. 1t Is not fermented fuid, but
gropetuice. This it was well know grew stronger
with age. 1t was at first pleasant and nourish-
ing. then exhilirating, and at last intoxicating.
In the Bible the first is commended the
second mentioned without disapprobation or
approval, the third in all cases condemned"
Christ was well acquainted with the books of
had read Habakkuk, 2: Is, "Woe unto him that
giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bot
tie to him and makost him drunken -" And
would he do this? If We had no other means
Of knowing that the wine used by Jesus on the
occasions mentioned was not Intoxicating we
could know it, as we do, from his life and teach
ing. 1t was said Of Him that He was tempted
on all points, like as we are, and vet without
sin. II He pressed intoxicating wine to the
lips Of His followers then He not guiltless.
But it was the fresh juice of the grape that He
recommended, and lie said in Matthews ac-
count of the Lords supper. II will not drink
henceforth Of this fruit Of the vine until that
day when / drink it ne,o with you in my
Fathers kingdom. So Paul. taught of Jesus,
says that mo drunkard shall inherit the king
dom Of heaven" yet Mr.. Miller would make us
think that Christ placed before His disciples
that which. il taken in too large quantity and
too often, would exile them from the very king
dom where he was to drink the yoyin new.
Let ME ask how a faithful jew could drink
Intoxicating wine? He was prohibited from
eating leavened bread because of the ferment
that leavened 1t. How could he drink fer
mented wine? That some did it Is true and
they have their reward.
The late Rev. +. s. De Haas, d. D., consul Of
the United States at Jerusalem for many years,
said to me at one time when discussing this
question that he had often been invited to dine
with rich Jews, who had fine vineyards, and
tnat the grapes were pressed ana the Juice
strained through hair cloth. The Juice was
then given him to drink as wine-ydyin-and
| that it was rs nourshing and refreshing rs
milk. II your correspondent, "Old Fogy,''
had added pure. fresh juice Of the grape to
his last paragraph he would have come close to
the truth We do not have to prove that the wine
was not intoxicating We argue from Christ 8
mission, his teaching. his acts of mercy and
love, his words Of wisdom, that he did not
use nor recommend Intoxicating wine, and it
remains for our opponents to prore that we are
not correct.
thank you for your courtesy in allowing me
so much space. Ny oniv object is to strengthen
the weak and to show to "Mother" and to other
fearful Christians that the communion can be
partaken without defilement and without fear
that taste for that which damns the soul will
be formed. II. A. DoBsoN, NJ. d.
Where the Eagles ROost.