Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-10-22

st. Augustine. considered by many as
the greatest of the ancient theologians,
condemned prohibition in unmeasured
terms. In book l6, chapter 81 he de-
clared that Jesus drank wine, adding:
Certainly no one could be called drink
er unless he used wine"
In his work de Here's" chapter 46,
St. Augustine said: For they, the
Manicheans, do not even drink wine, de-
claring 10 to be the gall of the Prince Of
Darkness"
Epphanius, who lived in the beginning
of The Fourth Century, was Bishop of
Salamus. In his chapter Of the "47th
Hersey," dealing with the Enkratites he
said:
The Enkratites altogether abstain
from wine and call the wine diabolical
They brand those who drink it as wick
ed. They quote several biblical tests in
support Of their doctrine, but they
neither understand the alleged text nor
do they realize the fact that not the
moderate use but the excessive use of
wine is forbidden by scripture"
st. Chrysostom, who fourished in the
middle of the Fourth Century in his
"Homily" to the people Of Antioch said;
Il hear many cry when these deplor-
able excuses happen would there no
winel" Oh folly, Oh madness! When
other men sin you find fault with the
gifts of God. What great madness Is
thisi Is it the wine, oh man, because
of the abusei No it is not the wine, but
the intemperance of those who take an
evil delight in it. If you would shout
would there no wine!" you should add
would there no iron because OF the
murders, would there no night because
of the thieves; would there no light, be-
cause of the informers; would there nc
women because Of adulteries'
According to St. Chrysostom, the great
est of all the ancient preachers, II is as
unchristian TO cry away with wine be
cause of drunkenness as IL would be q
demand the abolition of women because
of adultery. 10 is not possible 10 make
the case against prohibition stronger
than these men make it. They were con-
fronted by the same issue which con-
fronts you; they were against the pro-
hibitionist of their time just as we op.
pose the prohibitionists of today. The
values Of our opinions rest upon anti
guilty, but they stood exactly where
Christ and His disciples stood ON thi.
issue.
St. Paul, the greatest Of all Christian
philosophers, in first Corinthians, t..-t-
chapter, Goth verse, asks: "Why Is my
liberty judged by another mans con
sciencef"
This declaration Of the apostle strike
at the very heart of prohibition, which Il
based upon the diffusion that one man
liberty can be judged or controlled b.
another mans conscience.
The same apostle In Galatians, 2:2l
declares that If righteousness conc b.
law then Christ is dead in vain
The whole prohibition proposition rest
upon the idea that men may be mad
temperate or righteous by law. 81
Paul declares that if this princil le
sound than the sacrifice of Chri.t O
Calvary was in vain. If legisla lure
can save men, the death of Christ wa
useless.
II is thus that st. Paul rejects an
crucifes the prohibition principle
principle that cannot be reconciled wit
views held by. the founders OF moder
sects, the early fathers of the church q
the precept and example of Jesus.
principle that was wrong then cannot I
right now.