The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-05-16
PEOPLES FORUM
The First Miracle. and the Lords surper

The First Miracle, and the Lords Supper
From the Viewpoint of the OneWine Theory.
Editor Yriginian
Sir-It was during the winter 1901. that
took the liberty to address short letter 10
several pastors of the different denomina tions
of Christians in Richmond city Va. ana e,se-
where and requested them to give me their
answers to tho following questions. as was
seeking reliable information on the subject;
I. What was the character of the wine which
the Lord made in His first miracie?' 2. The
same question in reference to the wine which
our Lord used when He instituted Ills Memorial
Supper" / gratified by the prompt an
swers / received from all of them. but was
astonished at the expressed lack CT information
or that important subject; for the majority of
them said II suppose 1t was fermented wine in
10th cases" Some of them positive 1t
was fermenteG wine I'm both the first miracle
and the Lords Supper" And when asked for
the grounds Of their positive belief. they simply
referred me to books of certain authors, where
rs my purpose was to get living and up-to-date
information upon that important subject. II
Is vital subject, II has much to do with
the present state of intemperance growing out
Of the Intoxicating wine-drnking habit. for
many people claim by making and drinking in
toxicating wine they are following the example
OF the Intoxicating wine drinking habit, Tor
which 7 answer-nay nay. The subject Is OF
immense Importance because such teaching 10
based upon wrong Interpretation of the first
miracle of the Lord. 4' -#8
will first rotice the answers received from
two of the said prominent pastors of Richmond
Va in order to show the very awkward muddie
in which they find themselves the wine ques-
ton because of their adhering to the one KIND
OF wine theory. ] will quote what each one
said in reply TO my questions
Pastor No. / said, IT suppose the wine which
our Lord MADE in the first miracle was FER
mcnted wine The wine which He used in In
stltating the Memorial Supper Passover
Wine and was probably fermented. We use
fermented wine In our communion service TOT
reasons 1 think satisfactory apart from the kind
of wine Jesus used
was astonished beyond reason at such an
expression from prominent minister of the
Gospel rot willing to follow tho example OF
Jesus in the use of wine in his church; ! Will
say to that pastor that, in using unfermented
wine he Is using unintentially the very kind OF
wine which the Lord made in His first miracle.
and which He used In the last passover SUPPER
as will appear later that pastor has been mfClso
BIZ the very prevalent teaching, that grape juice
il not wine until fermented assert there has
never been time from Adam down through
the ages to the present time when there were
NOT two kinds of wine; the uHfermented and the
and the Lord never used nor coun :
tenanced intoxicating wine at any time or IN
arv way This is shown by His recommending
one kind of wine, and condemning anotner
kind.
Pastor No said 1.-THE wine which Christ
furnished thu guests in. Cana, of Gallilee. was
without any question the ordinary alconohc
beverage The above answers, also, your ques-
ton in regard to the kind of wine useu by
Christ at the Memorial Supper, Without any
doubt at all It was fermented wine. To my
mind It IL perfectly evident that were the Lord
on earth today He would not make ferTensed
wine at any marriage feast; would ne use
il at His last supper, The question Of intern
pcrance was rot TO the fore then as It 10 today.
and what happened 1900 years ago cannot make
i precedent for one duty in the Twentieth Cen
tury,, .
This pastor No N effect says, where am
at?' The one kind Of wine (fermented) has
run him into the boks OF uncertainty and coIl-
fusion. ! win help him out of his dilemma Ii
he will let me. do assure the brother that
wrong now could not have been right
1900 years ago. Al wrong remains 4 Nvong
anti correctAl. IN the first placs 4 Aaye ~
wAys len tayxht that The Lord =