p. 525 | Health and Temperance

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Aug 26, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 33.

Health and Temperance.

COMMUNION WINE.

THE DANGER OF USING THE FERMENTED ARTICLE

—ANOTHER WARNING.

A CLERICAL correspondent of the New Christianity writes to that journal a warning against the use of intoxicating wine for communion purposes, and cites an illustration from his own pastoral experience. He was called to officiate at the funeral of a child whose parents were non-professors, but who subsequently became members of his church. The father, formerly a drinking man, had become an abstainer. The majority of the members of the church favored intoxicating wine for the communion service. The new member, after two years of faithful abstinence expressed a desire to take the Lord's Supper. His pastor writes:—

"I did not dissuade him; for as he had abstained so long and faithfully, I felt sure he would continue. He presented himself with the communicants. Upon receiving the cup he took a sip, and moved to return the cup to me; but suddenly, the old appetite being touched by the alcoholic spark, he returned the cup to his lips—it was about two-thirds full—and nearly drained it as though urged on by demons. Poor man! Realizing what he had done, and evidently feeling disgraced, he at once arose and left the temple. From that time he returned to drink, and I have been unable to regain sufficient influence over him to effect his return to our services."

He adds: "Another man in my society formerly drank to excess. I dare not encourage him to come to the communion." How can members of Christian churches continue to insist upon the use of intoxicating wine for communion purposes after their attention has been called by such illustrations to its obvious perils for such of their members as may have been previously addicted to the use of intoxicants?—National Temperance Advocate.