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

f':i,,c ii yCw'iS t'r''i((s.
feast, and share in its gladness, the probability would
rather be that for their sakes, to say nothing of the sobriety of their seniors, the yayz.n would be of thle most
innocent sort procurable. There is no hint given that an
intoxicating sort was to be preferred; and common prudence would dictate to the fathers and mothers of Israel
that if the yayz,t had passed into a fermented state, a liberal dilution (like the three or more measures of water to
one of wine used by the sober Greeks) would be expedient. There is not a shadow of reason for the shocking
supposition that God desired the heads of Jewish families
to provide a liberal supply of inebriating drink for their
children in order that they might rejoice before him.*
(3) The passages in which spiritual blessings are symbolized by wine are the following: In Proverbs ix. 2, 5, Wisdom is said to "mingle" her wine; but as the other references to mixed wine, as a curse, ascribe to it an intoxicating quality, there is the strongest reason for supposing
WVisdom's wine to be deprived of that specific property.
The Song of Solomon, spiritually construed, repeats the
metaphor (v. I) " I have drunk my wine with my milk;
eat, O friends, drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved;"
and (viii. 2), "I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine
of the juice of my pomegranate." This is language unequivocally pointing to the natural juices of ripened
fruits, of which the largest possible draughts could be
taken without danger to health or morals. Who would
dare to apply such an unlimited invitation to drinks, a
few glasses of which would derange the intellect and fire
the passions of all but seasoned topers? The passage in
Isaiah xxv. 6, has been adverted to above. The ancient
versions give very conflicting renderings of the Hebrew
mishla sheiizairiimi, "a feast of preserves"; and the coIl
* See the "Temperance Bible Commentary" on this passage; also an elaborate Prize Essay upon it, by Dr. Lees.
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