THE VOICE OF THE CHURCHES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CI, Issue 11884, 6 May 1899, Page 9

THE VOICE OF THE CHURCHES.

TO THE EDITOR, gir,—Your correspondent,. “ Meliora,” has, unthinkingly, adopted a name that is -altogether at variance with his convictions, and bis letter does not help or improve the matter of prohibition at all. He rambles off into something about Moses allowing the people to use wine' and strong drink, to keep slaves, and to have a number of wives. I did not assert that Moses allowed these things to be done, or even use Moses’ name. It is true such things were allowed, but the development of morality and religion throughout Bible times, and later in Christian times, -has taught people that it is not altogether expedient to follow in the steps of a semi-barbaric race, and we have improved on some things, for we have learnt to control our passions, and desire the same liberty for, others which we ourselves enjoy. “ Meliora ” complains of my bad logic. Surely there is nothing logical in placing the use of wine and strong drink upon the same level a.s slavery. For while slavery was compulsory the use of wine, etc., has never been so; but “Meliora” would make it compulsory that people should become slaves to the prohibition propaganda, a thing which is most illogical, and opposed to that principle of liberty which he professes to glory in. And he also finds fault with my “worse theology,” while I complain of his much worse theology, for he consciously misquotes the Apostle Paul. Paul did not say it is not good to drink wine or strong drink, but, “ It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth” (Rom. XIV., 21), and ho adds the context, “the faith which thou hast have to thyself before God.” The Apostle knew there were many Christian people wno would have strange fancies and idiosyncrasies, and every age has witnessed such things. In times past there was Symeon, the Stylite saint, who sat upon a post day and night for thirty-five years, and Anthony, who abjured the society of women and lived in a cave, and many others who did things equally absurd. These supposed they were doing ants of the highest religious virtue. We have also in these days /a religious fad called prohibition, and men suppose that

by abstaining from wine, etc.-,', they will merit the praise of God; indeed, it is openly taught in our churches that no one can live acceptable to God who drinks wine or strong drink. Now, I would ask this (rreafc master of tneology and logic, “Meliora,” why wc should not use wine and strong drink in these days. If society is more meliorate than it was 3000 years ago, surely men are more able to exercise the principle of self-control, and need not so much the terrors- of the law to compel them to live better Jives, that “Meliora” would bring to near upon them.—l am, etc BAPTIST.