PROHIBITION FALLACIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6544, 24 July 1899, Page 1

PROHIBITION FALLACIES.

1 (Published by arrangement.) MORE ABOUT BIBLE WINES. According to the Bible Cyclopsedia " Scripture condemns the abuse, not the use of wine. In condemnatory passages no hint is given of there being an nnfermented wine to which the condemnation does not apply.' It also points out that the bursting of leather bottles, referred ' to both in the Old and New Test-aments, implies fermentation, " the wine being drawn off before fermentation was complete." In the wine which " giveth its colour in the cup," the reference is to the gas bubbles in fermentar tion. The same .authority says: — "The wine at the drink offering of the daily sacrifice, the first fruits and other offerings, implies that its use was lawful. The Nazarites' vow against wine was voluntary, it justifies voluntary abstinence, but does not enjoin at. Wine was used at the Passover. The third cup was called, because of the grace, ' the cup of blessing.' Moderation in wine is made a requisite in candidates for the ministry." Even Jonadab's prohibition of wine to the Reohabites, was, it is asserted, "in order to keep them as nomads, from a settled life, such as vine cultivation needed," and "they most rigidly adhere to the simplicity of their Arab tent life." The quotation, by Prohibitionists, of special texts in support of their views, demands some attention, for the texts themselves are so frequently and flagrantly misused, that this alone would thrown suspicion on tbeir use of scripture, but then in prohibition, as in other matters, " "What ., damned error, but some sober brow, "Will bless it, and approve it with a text." "Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink," says Habakkuk, and the Prohibitionists quote this, as a scriptural injunction, both on their- platforms and in their literature; relying, of course, on the fact that the majority will not trouble to look up the passage, to see whether or not it be legitimately' used. The full text reads as follows: — "Woe unto him tftat giveth his neighbour drink, that addest thy venom thereto, and makest him drunken also thajo thou mayest look upon their nakedness." Here it is perfectly obvious the injunction is not against giving drink to one's neighbour, but giving it for an improper and indecent purpose. This latter fact is invariably suppressed by the fanatics, who fulminate the "woe." They wilfully deceive their hearers and pervert Scripture itself — and for what? At the most for a mere temporary advantage, the advantage- of apparently having scriptural support. Wilful deception is the essence of falsehood, and lying lips are not only an "abomination to the Lord," but are an insult to common intelligence. The mass may be deceived for a time, but when the deception is discovered the deceiver is apt to get a bad time. 1988