The bases of the temperance reform: an exposition and appeal./ With replies to numerous objections. By Rev. Dawson Burns.

Ioo Scripltzre and the Teciipcrance citcstiofl.
nial to their tastes and prepossessions; and there would
be no reason to censure so severely this use of Scripture,
were the reference to it accompanied by a reverential
resolve to accept its teachings in their natural sense, and
to walk by the light its precepts and principles reflect.
It may be observed, however, that when the Bible is resorted to for the defence of theories or customs that are
indefensible by other means, the probability is that a
serious error of judgment is committed, and that no real
honor is done to the Inspired Oracles by this ostentatious
profession of respect. Natural law cannot be opposed to
the VWritten law, unless they have different authors, or
the one Author be divided against himself. Questions of
experience and science are strictly such as natural law is
most competent to decide; and, therefore, the appeal to
Scripture against natural law is not only a confession of
weakness, but is indicative of a wish to take the case into
a court whose decisions the appellant may more easily
succeed in construing to his supposed advantage. Yet
neither his real advantage nor the cause of true religion
can be concerned in the result of this effort when most
apparently successful; for the ultimate effect can only be
to make the Bible-revelation contradict the revelation of
God in the laws he has impressed upon the visible works
of his hands. Infidelity may exult in the imagined contrariety, but piety must resent the mischievous inference
that has produced it. Let it, for example, be proved that
total abstinence is better than the use of strong drink
for the individual man in all his capacities, and for society
in all its relations, and what is done for the Bible, or to
increase man's faith in it, by the endeavor to show that
the Scriptures either teach two contradictory doctrines,
or that its teaching is contrary to the verdict of nature
on the subject? No way can be found so sure as this to
shake confidence in the inspiration and authority of the
volume of heavenly truth. The wise words of Galileo, if
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