The Thames Star. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1897. SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE RE ALCOHOL.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8606, 10 March 1897, Page 2

The Thames Star. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 10, 1897. SCRIPTURAL EVIDENCE RE ALCOHOL.

It is a trite saying now-a days that "anything may be proved from the Bible"—from polygamy to petty larceny. This sentiment of scepticism is probably caused by the manner in which many people rush in and quote individual texts, to prove each particular argument that centres round present day questions. Through its allegories and parables — and also through the latitudes and restrictions of translation —the Book of Books may indeed be construed into proviag anything if the investigator confines himself to a mere literal quotation of individual texts. But people who follow this plan altogether misunderstand the beauties and strength of the Bible. The genuine truth-seeker must not dwell upon disjointed utterances, but must look for the true spirit which prevails like a key-note through the scriptural pages. In short, his objective point is not the solitary notes, but the harmonious chord of which they are the constituent elements. This task Mr George Bailey, of Invercargill, has endeavored to accomplish—with a result favoring the use and non-abuse of intoxicating liquors. During recent controversies, many debaters on the Prohibition side, following the stray note system, have quoted verses from the Bible derogatory to alcohol ; and not a few of their opponents, taking up the same strain, have ransacked the Scriptures, with more or less success, for " rebutting evidence." The result was inevitably nil; we were "no forrarder" than before. Now Mr-Bailey has come forward with an 80-page compilation and essay, seeking to piece the whole chord together and find the key-note. He also furnishes an index of texts, and as all the Biblical quotations adduced on either side probably find a place therein, the work will bo useful at least as a compendium, even though the elections are, for the time being,, past. In his preface the author—who describes himself as " almost a total abstainer" —draws a very fair and right distinction between genuine temperance work by moral suasion, and the tyrannical demands of Prohibition. Some of his remarks are worth quoting:—

The agitation against the use of alcoholic beverages which now obtains in many civilised countries is no new thing. It has been in vigorous activity in England, Ireland, Scotland, America and elsewhere for fifty years and more, and has resulted in the formation of numerous Societies pledged to voluntary abstinence,—such ai Bands of Hope, Good Templars, Rechabites, etc. These organisations have done an incalculable amount of good in restraining, not merely the use of intoxicants, but the desire for them; sustaining the weaker members of their communities by mutual example, and by the support derived from association with members having the same ideal and pledged to the same course of iiction. The gain in moral fibre by voluntary personal abstinence is even greater than the advantage of being removed from liability to fall into excess. Every reasonable person must approve ot such organisations and of their earnest and untiring preselytising energy. But of late the movement has taken another phase; it is sought to abandon the element of self-denial and voluntary abstinence, and to prohibit altogether the, supply of alcoholic beverages. This brings it into the arena of politics. It becomes now not merely a personal matter peculiar to the individual, but it affects the community as a whole. It is important therefore that

this larger aspect of the movement should be diligently and carefully considered, and some conclusion arrived at as to its bearing upon the religious, moral, social, and domestic life of the community.

" The New Heresy "—the somewhat fanciful title which the author has chosen—is not likely to laud us much nearer to a practical solution of the liquor question, but it is a valuable addition to the religious aspect of this great controversy.