TRUE FACTS ABOUT INTEMPERANCE

INTEMPERANCE

 “And Noah began to be an husbandman, and he planted a vineyard:  And he drank of the wine, and was drunken; and he was uncovered within his tent.”  Genesis 9:20,21

   “The pure juice of the grape, free from fermentation, is a wholesome drink.” E.G.White on Temperance, 93.3

     “Cider and wine(fruit juice) may be canned when fresh, and kept sweet a long time, and if used in an unfermented state, they will not dethrone reason.--. IBID, 93.4

Noah and his sons and families begun to dwell on the earth after the flood and, even if they had not been gardeners and farmers before the flood they were to engage in it from now on. Where the record says Noah began to be an “husbandman”=  2. A farmer; a cultivator or tiller of the ground. Therefore Noah planted a vineyard. There is very few people who do not enjoy the juice of fresh grape juice. It is healthy and delicious. The scripture however brings out something beyond that. It says that he became intoxicated by it. Did he drink too large of a quantity or had it gone bad on him? We do not know. Just like most wine and beer consumers. The good juice must of fermented and had enough alcohol content to make him loose his perceptions. One may very well excuse the action on his conditions and the loss of every thing dear before the flood, etc. Whatever the cause He was found drunk!

Well said the bible: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” Proverbs 20:1 Unfortunatly very few people listen to the wise counsel of the scriptures, specially during holidays!

“Persons may become just as really intoxicated on wine and cider as on stronger drinks, and the worst kind of inebriation is produced by these so-called milder drinks. The passions are more perverse; the transformation of character is greater, more determined, and obstinate. A few quarts of cider or sweet wine may awaken a taste for stronger drinks, and many who have become confirmed drunkards have thus laid the foundation of the drinking habit.”  Temperance, 94.5

“A Possible Precursor to Habitual Drunkenness.--A single glass of wine may open the door of temptation which will lead to habits of drunkenness” IBID, 95.1

     “Diseased Condition Resulting From Use of Cider.--A tendency to disease of various kinds, as dropsy, liver complaint, trembling nerves, and a determination of blood to the head, results from the habitual use of sour cider. By its use, many bring upon themselves permanent diseases. Some die of consumption or fall under the power of apoplexy from this cause alone. Some suffer from dyspepsia. Every vital function refuses to act, and the physicians tell them that they have liver complaint, when if they would break in the head of the cider barrel, and never give way to the temptation to replace it, their abused life forces would recover their vigor.”  Temperance, 95.2

     Effects of Wine After the Flood.--The world had become so corrupt through indulgence of appetite and debased passion in the days of Noah that God destroyed its inhabitants by the waters of the Flood. And as men again multiplied upon the earth, the indulgence in wine to intoxication, perverted the senses, and prepared the way for excessive meat eating and the strengthening of the animal passions. Men lifted themselves up against the God of Heaven; and their faculties and opportunities were devoted to glorifying themselves rather than honoring their Creator.” IBID, 95.3

 A good definition for temperance is this: “"TRUE TEMPERANCE TEACHES US TO DISPENSE ENTIRELY WITH EVERYTHING HURTFUL AND TO USE JUDICIOUSLY THAT WHICH IS HEALTHFUL." Temperance by E.G.White, 138.

“We are living in an age of intemperance, and catering to the appetite of the ciderbibber is an offense against God.” E.G.White on Counsel on Diet and Foods, page 432. 3

“I cannot see how, in the light of the law of God, Christians can conscientiously engage in the raising of hops or in the manufacture of wine or cider for the market. All these articles may be put to a good use, and prove a blessing; or they may be put to a wrong use, and prove a temptation and a curse. Cider and wine may be canned when fresh, and kept sweet a long time; and if used in an unfermented state, they will not dethrone reason....  IBID, 432.5

 “ Moderate drinking is the school in which men are receiving an education for the drunkard's career. So gradually does Satan lead away from the strongholds of temperance, so insidiously do the harmless wine and cider exert their influence upon the taste, that the highway to drunkenness is entered upon all unsuspectingly. The taste for stimulants is cultivated; the nervous system is disordered; Satan keeps the mind in a fever of unrest, and the poor victim, imagining himself perfectly secure, goes on and on, until every barrier

is broken down, every principle sacrificed. The strongest resolutions are undermined; and eternal interests are not strong enough to keep the debased appetite under the control of reason.  IBID,  433.2

     “Some are never really drunk, but are always under the influence of cider or fermented wine. They are feverish, unbalanced in mind, not really delirious, but in fully as bad a condition; for all the noble powers of the mind are perverted. A tendency to disease of various kinds, as dropsy, liver complaint, trembling nerves, and a determination of blood to the head, results from the habitual use of sour cider. By its use many bring upon themselves permanent disease. Some die of consumption or fall under the power of apoplexy from this cause alone. Some suffer from dyspepsia. Every vital function is deadened and the physicians tell them that they have liver complaint, when if they would break open the cider barrel, and never replace it, their abused life forces would recover their vigor.” IBID, 434.1

“Cider drinking leads to the use of stronger drinks. The stomach loses its natural vigor, and something stronger is needed to arouse it to action. . . . We see the power that appetite for strong drink has over men; we see how many of all professions and of heavy responsibilities--men of exalted station, of eminent talents, of great attainments, of fine feelings, of strong nerves, and of good reasoning powers-- sacrifice everything for the indulgence of appetite, until they are reduced to the level of the brutes; and in very many cases their downward course commenced with the use of wine or cider.”  IBID, 434.2

Much misery and even death has resulted from the use of wine and strong drinks!  Thousands more die every year from the result of intoxicating drinks and driving. Well said the Bible: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;” Ephesians 5:18  

To your best health!

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