The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-10-22

verSy. Would that some of the lesser
lights" in the medical profession could
see it so.
4 Mans Questions Discussed by Robert
F.. Speer
Question-As you are an advocate OF
total abstinence in regard to the liquor
Question, and are in favor of abolish
ing all saloons by law. / would venture
to request you to give scriptural
grounds for these convictions.
Among the scriptura1 grounds for the
principle of total abstinence may be
cited l. Mark 9:42-1: 1 Corinthians
|S:13-2; , Corinthians 1929. These and
many other passages show that we are
to regulate our habits with regard 10
the weakness of others, and not with
regard to our own supposed strength.
Even if we could drink and he sober,
there are men who can't, and who
must be helped to abstain by our eX-
ample. =. Matthew 6:73; 26:41. 1t is
an undeniahle fact that all the drunk
ards come from the ranks of those
who began as moderate drinkers, and
that many who thought they could re-
main moderate drinkers have sunk
into the hell of a drunkard's life. In
Of the peril Of touching liquor. the
scripture passages just cited warn us
that we should let it alone. 3. l Cor
inthians 3:16-17. The body is to be
kept absolutely clean and pure. 1t
cannot be If it is drusged with alcohol,
even in small doses. The athletic
trainer forbids it to the men whose
bodies he is seeking to put in the best
condition.
But even if there We're no scriptural
| passa ges supporting total abstinence,
that would not affect the case There
| are no scriptural passages forbidding z
slavery, or arson, or forgery; but we
know that these are wrong, and we
/ hold aloof from them. We do not say
that the use of intoXicants is like these
evils, but we do say that it is unwise
and dangerous and inexpedient, and
that the wise and Christian course now
| is total abstinence.
The abolition of the liquor traffic by
| law is a different matter. Total abb
stinence is a personal principle OF
(which men must be persuaded, but
prohibition of the liquor traffic is pro-
lposed as a legal statute to be enforced
by the state. We believe that saloons
should be prohibited because they are
Economically and socially and morally
n source of loss and injury to the COM
lmunity. They degrade the locality
where they are situated. reduce real
estate values, depreciate the quality of
labor, introduce boys and young men
to the drink habit, foster crime, and
Iproduce poverty. Agencies against
(which such charges can be made and
lproved should not be tolerated. Some
Iday they will not be. The state has as
much right to prohibit them as to pro-
ihibit the Importation of absinthe, or to
forbid riots or gambling or debauch-
lery, or to require the quarantine and
Ito seek the destruction Of conta gious
diseases.
But you ask what scriptural grounds
we have for seeking, as Christians, tC
lsuppress the saloon by law. Becaus.
that IS the only way it can he suppress
ed. The saloon is now legally allowed
1t can only he disallowed by legal ac-
ton. or by a prohibitive construction
Of such legislation "a We have where
that is possible. And as Christians we
ihave a right and duty to seek 10 ac-
icomplish this result. because Oul
christianity intensifies and does not de-
lstrOy our political duty. Jesus told his
isisciples that they should pay taxes
He clearly asserted the sacredness OF
Ipolitical obligations He himself did
mot undertake TO effect any measure;
by political action. because no such
action was open 20 him. and because
he was seeking 70 Introduce principles
Of action by which men should COVER
themselves. and he would not confuse
these by any political entanglemenr
But We do not find in his method a rea
son why there should be no laws. ",
punish theft and murder By law, ant
We see nothing at variance in our do
ing so with our Christian faith. Like
wise, while We would get at the roo
Of the liquor evil By persuading men t
abstain from its use, We think that w
are acting as Christian citizens whel
we seek 10 abate the evil Of the tratf
by law just as We ask to abate othe
social evils.
Anti-prohibitionists say that prohi
bition does not prohibit. Yet the pc
capita amount Of liquor consumed il
prohibition states Is just a little NOR,
than one gallon; while the average il
, saloon states is more than twenty-fv.
gallons. These figures are from tn
brewers own books. and may be con
sidered reliable.
: The local branch Of the internal rev