SOME GREAT MEN

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7977, 7 December 1911, Page 6

SOME GREAT MEN

WHAT THEY SAT ON THE QUESTION. , DISTINGUISHED CLERGYMEN AND OTHERS. Rev. Dr Rankin (Scottish Presbyterian). —"Teetotalism is an endeavour to raise up a thing into a virtue which is no virtue. It is based upon a sham. It is absolutely without foundation in Scripture." Rev. D. Lyman Abbott (editor of the ''Outlook"). —‘‘Prohibition was not tho method of Jesus. He lived in an ago of total abstinence societies, and did not join one of them. He condemned drunkenness, but never in a single instance lifted up His voice in , condemnation of drinking. He apparently used wine customarily, if not habitually, and before all the world. Hence—He was a 'friend of publicans and sinners.’ ’’ Cardinal Gibbons (Catholic). “The moderate use of liquor has never been condemned by the Church." Pope Pius X. believes that men should be allowed to use their judgment in what they should eat or drink, and not have other men decide for them. Bishop Doyle, of Lismore, N.S.W., said: —‘‘l am not prepared to accept your Nolicense campaign. My reasons are briefly: (Ist) If you have absolute Prohibition illicit traffic will soon follow. (2nd) Some 15 years ago I travelled much in the United States of America, and I wish to inform you that I found more drunkenness in tho prohibited States than in the free ones. No-license simply, means illicit traffic." Rev. Wm. Salmond, D.D.,- .Otago University.—" Prohibition is a harsh and crude measure., Itis temporary triumph will fill the: country with turmoil, will generate .discontent and bitter passion, and land us in a quagmire of hypocrisy and fanaticism." ' Rev. W. Carr-Smith, of St. James’s Church (Anglican).—“l want to say this: Nothing would induce me to vote Nolicense. Much of this literature—literature, I believe, absolutely pernicious—is issued in the name of the religion of Jesus Christ. Now, you cannot, without closing your eyes to much contained in the Bible, condemn the moderate use of alcohol." Rev. Dr Howard Crosby, of the Presbyterian Church, speaking of Prohibition in the States:—"Prohibition is the greatest enemy to a much needed reform." Rev. Henry Ward Beecher, though dead, yet livoth in' these words.—‘‘lf you say to me—a temperate man—that I ought not to drink, perhaps I would agree with you, but if you tell me that I must not drink, I will drink, because I have a natural right to do so—to drink what I please." The Premier of N.S. Woles (Mr Wade). —“I, will not cast a vote in favour of No-license." Mr Dooley, the world-famous philosopher, says:—"All that Prohibition has done so far is to make- drink dear, hard to get, and d d had when you get it.’’ President Lincoln, tho man v who abolished slavery, strenuously opposed Prohibition. He said:—"Prohibition will work great injury to the cause of temperance. It is a species of intemperance within itself, for it goes beyond the bounds of reason in that it attempts to control a man’s appetite by legislation, and in making crimes out of things that are not crime. A prohibition law strikes a blow at the very principle on which our governments are founded. Until my tongue shall be silenced in death, 1 will continue to fight for tho rights of men." •