PROHIBITION AND THE CLERGY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 10360, 21 July 1896, Page 4

PROHIBITION AND THE CLERGY.

Bnt,— The Rev. W. Colenso has been answered almost completely by Dr. Hoaklng. While college men may find vast material to argue on the Bible wine question we must not os a community be carried away from tbe real question ab issue. " Common Sense " has materially helped to " fine down " tbe matter. I beg to add the following thoughts of my own:— l. Christians havo nothing to do with the law of Moses or the Temple aystam of worship. They are interesting bb being " shadows " of tho " good things to come"— viz,, the sacrifice made on Calvary by Jesus Christ for the sins of tbe whole world, if the world will accept it ; and trust ln that sacrifice only. By His own blood He entered in once, into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for ns.— Heb. 9e, 12v, 2. It does not appear there was an established " drink traflio '■ in onr Lord's time. Wine there was, no doubt, in tha inns as an ordinary product of the oountry for tablo nse, I presume. 3, Ib is very significant that the birth of John, the forerunner of our Lord, was announced to his mother hy an angel.— Luke 10, 15v. "He shall be great In tbe sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink, and be Bhall be filled with the Holy Ghost even from bis mother's womb." The Christians' forerunner (Christ Jesus) has entered within the veil for us.— (Heb. 80, 20v.) "I go to prepare a place for you.'— John 140,2 v. i- Total abstinence from intoxicating dtlnk is pleasing to Qod.—iat, 35c, I9v, "Therefore thus ealth the Lord of hosts, tbe God of Israel. lonadab the son of Hechab shall not want a man to stand before me for ever." This was ior striotly maintaining their vow of total abatinence ; therefore I say prohibitionists are Bimply people who have made the same vow exaotly, ond beeauße they enjoy the freedom tbat drinkers have not (as drink makes slave?) they are anxlouß that the whole community shonid be abstainers, and, at least, that tbe State shall not throw temptation before the people by wholesale licensing i-.-j sala of destruction. Hi never had any .noral tight to do so, and Christiana are not • jogleal if they permit the State to continue to do so. I ask here where is Mr ColeaßO's charity to those conscientious abstainers? Surely ho will admit their right to, abstain and lawfnlly promote abstinence. 5. Abstinence from meat is oommended by St. Pan!, 2 Cor. 8e 13v.— " Whorelon, if I mike my brother to ofland, I wl'.l eat no fl3sh while the world standeth." I would here ask how can a man fijeim ta ba a Christian if he will not deny himself as Christ requires him, much leas bow can a man fee faithful es a minister oi the Gospel of Him who endured all things for sinners? Paul to the Romans, 140., 21 v. : "It is good neither to eat fhsh nor to drink wine whereby thy brother atumblelb.'' This seems to me to settle tbe matter for Christians. 7- Christians "must deny" themselves It they follow Christ-Matt. I6e„ 24v. 8. Kesponclbillty rests on tho Churches, the clerey, and the people to rid the oolony of that thing which is sending men and women to perdition daily. The Anglican Synod (to the .membership of whleh Mr Colenso has been restored lately) has Bpoken out during Its lest session in support of prohibition as ths only remedy for this giant evil Mr Colanso has seen fib to aobnally oppose his own Church Court, which I olaim to be exceedingly far from wise, I had hoped a better legacy from Mr Colenso for his Chnreb, or I should rather put It a wiser restoration to the Almighty Giver of His own bounty only lent. "Go sell all thab thon bast and give to tbe poor, and then come and follow me.-' " The hoary head Is a crown of glory if ib bo found lv the way of righteousness.' Human beings are perishing. To help to save a soul Is the highest good allotted to man. Uls nob too late yeb for Mr Colenso to undo some of the evil alreody done. Ido sincerely hope he may, which wfll bring honor to himself and be accepted by Him wbo knoweth all secrets, and who knoweth that we are but dust. The permission (as ib were) by Paul that Timothy might nse a " little wluo for his lnfirmatiea " remains as a medical matter purely, and it indicates that Timothy had refrained altogether froa wine and had probably acquainted Paul of the faot.— l am, &c, Observer, Napier, July 20bh, 1898,