Rhode Island Temperance Herald

For the Rhode-Island Temperance Herald.

WINE DRINKING.

Perhaps it would be ungenerous to assert, that because some are too fond of their wine, that they refuse to adopt the pledge of total abstinence from all that intoxicates. Men will often go no further than they were led at the first by some master mind. Robinson, the father of the Pilgrims, said to them on their departure, I cannot sufficiently bewail the condition of the reformed churches, who are come to a period in religion, and will go at present no further than the instruments of their reformation. The Lutherans cannot be drawn to go beyond what Luther saw—whatever part of his will our God has revealed to Calvin, they will rather die than embrace it. And the Calvinists, you see, stick fast where they were left by that great man of God, who yet saw not all things. In the Temp. Ref., we started from the position that spirits must be used as a beverage in moderation. From this they advanced to the position, that ardent spirits are not beneficial, as a drink, always injurious, and therefore wrong to use, vend, or provide them for others. Here we reached a point, where not a few "stick fast." But still further light has broken in, as we have proceeded in the path of duty. The intoxicating poison has been found in cider and wine, and is generated there. Alcohol is not, as was supposed, the product of distillation, but fermentation.

We ought not to expect that we shall know every thing at once. Knowledge is progressive. There are indeed principles, which are immutable and eternal and cannot vary with circumstances. For instance, it is eternally and immutably true, that we must do right, and forbear to do wrong; that we must abstain from evil, and follow good. But this principle admits of development. Our knowledge of what is evil and what is good, may be constantly increasing. But the principle to do right, and to forbear wrong-doing, remains evermore the same. While then we do not, and will not, change one jot or tittle of the principle itself, let us all go on to perfection in its application and development. And shall we not trust, that many who have not yet embraced the principle of total abstinence from all alcohol, as a beverage, yet became temperance men under circumstances that constitute the earnest of their being willing to do their whole duty, when clearly understood? In a word, will they not become teetotallers?

Jonathan.