USE OF WINE by J. H. W.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 17, 1868

USE OF WINE.

By J. H. W.

Because the Scripture directs to “give strong drink to him that is ready to perish,” Prov. xxxi, 6, and Paul counseled Timothy to take a “little wine” for his many infirmities, some seem to think they are therein licensed to drink it at all times, and in any quantity. And if one, having many infirmities, or being “ready to perish,” take a little wine, others will claim the right to take more than a little, for no infirmity at all, and when there is no danger of perishing. On whom does the blame rest? Every candid mind will decide right in the matter; but the selfish will throw their wrongs on the innocent, if possible. But of wine as a beverage there can be but one opinion among Christian temperance people. The following is worthy of consideration:

“The editor of The Pacific has been traveling through the vine-growing valleys of California; and his observations give little support to the theories of those tipplers who think that the more wine we drink the less intemperance we shall have.

“But through some parts of these mountains, as well as in the valleys, there is arising one species of production fraught with dire evil to the producers and the country. It is that of wine making. Already wine has become as cheap as milk, and is as freely drunk, till many, once sober men, are now habitually intoxicated. In one wine-growing neighborhood we are told that young girls, seventeen years of age, reeled in the streets under the intoxication of pure California wine. Men, once of worth, now are, through wine, lost to society, and becoming a fear and disgrace to their families. One leading man enumerated to us five of his acquaintances who, once noble men, are now to be called drunkards through wine. The production of this article, now fearfully on the increase, must prove a curse to the whole land, if persevered in.”

J. H. W.