Prohibition And Christianity -- A German American View
Prohibí tionists general ly see on their 3ide God and on the other side nothing but the devil. For a Christian the Huly Scripturesmustbe theonly criterion. I can neither in the Old or New Testament find a sumptuary law like prohibition. According to this law, whoever makes wine or eider is a criminal. VVme therefore, made in the county, where prohibition rules, cannot be used for tacramental purposes. If fermented, the minister who distributes such wine, is a criminal unless be drinks it all himself. According to prohibition Christ is a criminal. He made wine at the marnage of Cana Proliibitionists maintain that said wine contained no alcohol. Hut in John 2, 10, the goyernor of the feast said to the bridegroom: "Every man at the beginuing doth set forth goort wine, and when men have well drunk, then that which is worsa, but thou hast kept the go d wine until now." Whata wicked man St. Paul was for he advised the youthful Timothy: "Driuk no longer water, but use alittlewine for ty stomach's sake." But Chnst has not only made wine but he also drank ít, not itnported wine, for in Jadea wine making was not prohibited. Many people made au honest living by this industry. Neither did Christ drink in secret but publicly witn publicans and sinners. To the Pharisees, who held more of outward appearances then of the inner strength of godliness tbis was very offensive. Accordine to Math., 11, 19, they pointed their fingers at liim and said: "liehold a man, gluttonous and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners." The pharisees and scribes, like our prohibitionists, endeavored to redeem man by all kinds of outward laws; Christ on the contrary invited mankind to his kingdom by his humiliation and the kindest invitations wherefore he mingled with the lowest and the deeply fallen, while the pharisees, in proud self-rightousness and sanctimoniousness. under which often the worst vices liKe avarice were bidden, coldly passed by such low characters. llowever, in order to get the people down under their rule, they deviaed all kinds of laws and tradilions. from which they made salvation dependent. Therefore the Lord addresses thetn in Luke 11, 4(3, thus: "Woe unto you also ye lawyers; for ye lade men with bui deus, grievious to be borne, and ye yourselves touch not the burdens wilh one of your tingers." Ooncerninfi the extermination of the bad or evil, may it appear in the open saloon or otherwise, the Hible shows the correct way. It would be easier for preachers and reforméis to reach their aira ot' eradication of the bad through piohibitoiy laws, but then it would not have been necessary for the Redeeruer to suffer and die on the cross, for the sinful human r ce. He could have exlerminated sin by an act of bis power. Prohibilion is easier ihaii humility, patience, obedience and taithful love, which Chnst demands, of his diseiples to overeóme tne bad. It is also easier to preach prohibition and üolitics and much more popular tlian to proclaira Min p.rncificd (ihnst. Math. 13. 28. 30. Christ Iets the 1 O seholder say to the servants who vwsned to extermínate the tares "let both grow together until the harvest &c." at. Paul who was permitted like few to look into the ilepths of the the counsels of God can thereforel Cor. 1, 25, write with detiniteness totlie philosophically inelined Greeks. "The fuolishness of God is wiser than men and the vveakuess of Qod is atroDtcerttaan meo." Afíain how can a follower of Christ vote for a law, vvhich lobes man of his property? Were there one spark of re igionoronly of liutnauity in ttus hibition law, it would provide valuation of the property of brewers and saloon men and restore their losses to those wlio, under a license, carried on a legitimated business, Prohibition therefore cannot stand measurement by the Standard of the Holy Bible, consequeiitly ïts fruits cannot be good and wholesome for mankind. It will promote hypocricy. In place of the li)?ht, tliirst-quenching drinks it will make miserable beastifying free whiskey our natioual drink. Moderation is scriptural, intemperance is tinscriptural. IIovv earnestly does Christ warn us in view of the judgnient day: "Take heed to yourselves lest at anytime your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkene3S, and cares of this Ufe and so that day comes upou you unawares." The state has a right and it is its duty to promote temperance by restrictive laws. AIso in Germany the wliiskey pestilence is restricted. In many places a list of all persons declared as drunkards is handed to each seller of spiritous liquors. Whoever offers or glves or causes to be given spiritous drinks to such persons, forfeits his ü- cense. Let every Christian and good citizen do what he can to promote temperance. Let those who feel called and are able to keepit, practice total abstinence and persuade others to do so. But concerning prohibition we must, from the slandpoint of the Bible vote against it and from the standpoint of civilization and political economy for sumptuary lavys from all experience we have, are abridgements of liberty and cannot be executed. We must object to prohibition for it means free whiskey.
Article
Subjects
Ann Arbor Argus
Old News