214 



The Grape Culturist. 



the most delicate fruits, which we know 

 were not only specially prepared for us 

 but also made ready, as nearly as 

 geologists can judge, for the appointed 

 hour of our appearance at the feast. 



This we also know, I might add if it 

 was necessary', that when the Divine 

 Man came into the world, unlike the 

 modern water men, he did not refuse 

 the temperate use of any of these lux- 

 uries, not even of that '• manufactured 

 wine" with which he replenished the 

 empty jars of the publican, while a 

 guest at the wedding of Cana. This 

 happeneil at the beginning of a short 

 but eventful life, sacrificed for the sal- 

 vation of the world. Was it an error 

 of 3-outh atoned for in after-life, and 

 was the use of wine ever afterwards 

 deprecated by him ? The curious reader 

 will find the answer by turning to what 

 is called the institution of the holy 

 supper, in Matthew, Luke, or Mark, 

 chap. XIV., v. 23, 24 and 25. It is 

 evident from wliat is there contained 

 that it never entered the mind of Christ 

 that drinking wine was a sin, a hateful 

 sin to be severely reproved, forbidden 

 or punished. Yet, with these facts to 

 stare them in the face, our new-fangled 

 christians know better than Christ, and 

 are determined to improve upon him. 

 Here is what a set of these " know 

 betters," an influential religious organi- 

 zation in the temperate State of Iowa, 

 have unanimousl}' 



^'Besolved, That the use of an3'thing 

 containing intoxicating properties, in 

 the celebration of the Lord's supper, is 

 a perversion of that solemn ordinance, 

 and ought to be abandoned for ever." 

 And this is called a "Christian and 

 right movement" ( ! ) 



It may be right where there is miijht 



to enforce it, but please leave the 

 " Christian " out, that it never can be if 

 you believe the apostles. 



Is it not safe to infer that these men 

 belong to that class who, in Matthew, 

 11-19, called Christ a "wine-bibber?" 

 Are they not, by implication, repeating 

 the same charge made by the unbeliev- 

 ers? O Lord ! what follies are perpe- 

 trated under cover of Thy name. 



Let us now turn our attention to the 

 great gun of these modern, not modest, 

 christians, and see if it will not go off 

 with a fizzle. It is to be found in the 

 35th chapter of Jereiniali, and consists 

 in the recommendation of Jonadab to 

 the Rachabites not to drink wine, 

 neither build houses, nor sow seeds, 

 plant or own vineyards, the better 

 to enable them to reap the full advan- 

 tages pertaining to a nomadic life. But 

 as my patient readers all have bibles 

 of their own — or ought to — let them 

 read and digest for themselves ; and 

 whilst I shall have the satisfaction to 

 know that they are engaged in a pleas- 

 ant occupation, it will spare me the 

 trouble to write the chapter, with the 

 risk of being accused of quoting but a 

 part. 



I will not here do our young Jona- 

 dabs the injustice to suppose for one 

 moment that they have the slightest 

 conception of the real meaning of that 

 admirable chapter, God forbid ! I know 

 that their zeal, far above their under- 

 standing, will not allow them to see in 

 the son of Rechab aught but the only 

 reliable light wortli following upon this 

 question. It is true that the second 

 verse — that is, the command of God — 

 is rather in sharp conflict with the third 

 resolution of their own platform, which 

 reads thus : "The absolute prohibition 



