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

Thze A.postles ~izforccd Sobriety.
which, as we have seen, abstinence from intoxicating
drink is the appointed guardian.
(3.) Tlhey enforcedthe vzrte of sobriely-freedom from unnatural excitement; and they selected for this purpose a
word (neefho), the acknowledged meaning of which, at
that time, was total abstinence from wine, or such a sober
state of body and mind as is consequent on this abstinence.* This is the very word used in Greek to express
the abstinence enjoined upon the priests during their
ministrations; and, whether the apostles intended to convey the full sense of the term or not, its very selection
intimated their conviction that the sobriety which was
based on total abstinence was that which they could
most cordially approve. To break the force of this conclusion, attention is often drawn to the passages in which
bishops are enjoined "not to be given to wine," and
deacons and elder women "not to be given to much
wine"; hence it is inferred that some wine was permitted.
But (I) cautions against excess can never be held to
express approval of the acts referred to. "Let not the
sun go down upon your wrath" is not an approval of
wrath while the sun is above the horizon. (2.) A general
condemnation of all that was comprised under the name
of wines (Greek oinoi,; Latin vina), would have included
some drinks perfectly harmless. (3.) Bishops were to be
"not given to wine" (literally, "not near to wine "), and
both these and deacons' wives were enjoined to be "abstinent" (neefihalzous),t a command not to be obeyed by
any indulgence in wines capable of exciting the animal
nature and deadening the mental and spiritual powers.
It may, in conclusion, be affirmed that the New Testament does not contradict, but coincides with, the letter of
the Old, while the ideal of religious perfection it holds
* See " Temperance Biblical Commentary," pp. 36.-5.
+ I Tim. iii. 2, " vigilant" in English Version, but in the same version, iii.
IIx, " sober."
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