Editorial November 3, 1898 Issue

At a recent medical convention held at New York City...

Editor

At a recent medical convention held at New York City, Dr. J. M. Farrington read a paper entitled, "The passing of Alcohol." He quoted the commendations formerly bestowed on alcohol by standard medical authors, and noted a great many changes within forty years. He declared that those of the profession who believed in the general use of alcohol as a remedy are now in the minority; and said that "with the light which has been thrown upon this subject during the past few years a physician subjects himself to adverse criticism, and has need of apologizing for using alcohol in cases in which but a few years ago he would have been censured had he refrained from using it." He further said: "Churches have likewise learned that the use of alcohol as a beverage is the greatest barrier toward the progress of religious truth. Therefore, the majority of Christian societies have banished intoxicating wine in their communion rites, and use only the unfermented juice of the grape."

The above is gratifying evidence of progress on the part of the medical profession and of the churches. It is useful also as tending to show the radical changes of human opinion. In the face of such frequent changes, is it not well to stop and ask the question, whether medical profession and religious profession, based upon such unstable ground, is worthy the name of Science? Does it not emphasize the necessity for getting over onto solid Scientific ground, both in the matter of healing disease and curing sin?

The uncertain bases of human opinion must inevitably give way to that Science which has for its base the supremacy of Spirit, instead of the supremacy of matter.

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