Wine as a Medicine by Mrs. S. N. Haskell

Pacific Press Publishing Association · Mountain View, California · May 26, 1914

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 41, No. 20.

Wine as a Medicine

By Mrs. S. N. Haskell

Does the Bible Warrant the Use of Fermented Wine in Sickness Even?

By MRS. S. N. HASKELL

A HOST of men and women have filled drunkards’ graves as the result of physicians’ prescribing fermented liquor in time of sickness. “Take a little wine each day until you grow stronger,” has been the counsel of the physicians; and the patients never again escape from the clutch of the demon alcohol.

“USE A LITTLE WINE”

When individuals have conscientiously refused to drink wine, 1 Tim. 5:23 has been quoted in an attempt to show that God approved of using fermented wine in times of sickness. “Use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities,” was the counsel given Timothy by the apostle Paul.

In Rom. 14:21 Paul says, “It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.” It is plain that fermented wine is here condemned, and we can not think that Paul would recommend it to Timothy.

The custom of bottling unfermented wine was so common in New Testament times, that the Saviour used the practise to illustrate a spiritual truth. Mark 2:22. Timothy, reared by a godly mother, was familiar with unfermented wine, and understood its value. From a child he had been taught the Holy Scriptures (2 Tim. 3:15), which condemn the use of fermented wine; and therefore he had no difficulty in understanding Paul’s advice.

“GIVE STRONG DRINK” TO THE PERISHING

“Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish” (Prov. 31:6), is often quoted by those using fermented liquors in time of sickness. Dr. Clarke, in commenting upon this verse, says: “Inebriating drinks were mercifully given to condemned criminals to render them less sensible of the torture they endured in dying. This is what was offered to our Lord; but He refused it.” Matt. 27:34.

DID NOT WANT DYING BREATH TAINTED

A few years ago, while laboring in South Africa, I became acquainted with an earnest Christian missionary, who, although a temperance worker, had been in the habit of using fermented wine in time of sickness. She related to me the following incident which explained why she became a teetotaler in the fullest sense: Aunt Mary, an earnest Christian colored woman, a worker in their mission, was stricken with a deadly fever. The missionary called upon her and found her very weak. Thinking a little wine would strengthen her, upon her return home she sent a bottle of wine to Aunt Mary.

To her astonishment, when she called next day, the wine bottle was unopened. She asked, “Why did you not drink the wine I sent you?” She told me she could never forget the earnest look on the dear old colored face as the sufferer looked up at her and replied: “Why, missus, I could not drink that wine. I may die any hour, and I could never meet my Jesus with the scent of wine upon my breath.” My friend said she felt rebuked, and from that day never used, nor advocated the use of, fermented wine in time of sickness.

When the life record is closing, and you are passing through the valley of death, comforted and sustained by the rod and staff of the great Shepherd, how can you partake of that which is only a mocker and a deceiver?