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

134 ScriptuIrle anldI te 7 ImcraIc Question.
health and vigor, and, by dziznziishiztg corporeal tone and
energy, is antagonistic to the intellectual and moral life
of man. Asceticism sought to enfeeble and degrade the
body: total abstinence seeks to invigorate and dignify
the body-, so utterly unsubstantial is the objection
against the latter from its supposed connection with the
former. Total abstinence teaches no other asceticism
than that mortification of "fleshly its/s," which Scripture
solemnly inculcates, and that control of the animal nature which the exclusion of alcoholic drinks renders
easier and more complete. Christianity has its own asceticism, without which, as Dean Howson has forcibly pointed out, it has never been "really efficient";* and it is
with this asceticism, and not with the heathen or superstitious burlesque of it, that total abstinence has an honorable and noble alliance, teaching all men to avoid the
physical agent of danger and seduction, which extends
its narcotic and paralyzing influence over both the corporeal and moral powers.
5. It is said " that the tot/al abstizence Iriziciz)e of avoidi,g shrong drink becazuse of the danzger izncident to its uise is a
confessioz of weakness, and an avoilance of reszistance to evil
not comnat/ble with Crzistian cozira, e, and not izndzicative of
relianzzce ubon the grace of God." This objection is one
urged by some eminent Christian teachers, and in a temper the reverse of amiable and courteous. It is based on
the gross misconception that total abstinence is advocated because strong drink, like other objects of sense, may
be abused, and may thus become a spiritual snare. If
these brethren, instead of constructing this whimsy out
of their own imagination, and then calling it by ugly
names, had taken the pains to understand the true
ground of the temperance objection to alcohol, they
would have seen that their method of reply is as much mis
* LI,ectures on the Character of St. Paul, p. 13x.