Editorial February 1, 1919 Issue

Prohibition

William D. McCrackan

Apathy in regard to the drink problem will not solve it any more than neutrality was capable of winning the war. Being mentally passive instead of active concerning this question actually depresses the balance in favor of the liquor trust. The pacifist in this struggle is like the slacker during the world war. He who feels that he does not need prohibition for himself, and therefore neglects to support it, is like the man who does not value the policeman on the corner because he feels that he himself is a law abiding citizen. A proper esprit de corps among citizens calls for the support of prohibition. Let each ask himself, Am I mentally awake on this subject? The nations at war found it necessary to protect their armies and navies from the drink evil; let the nations at peace clear their homelands of this evil, for the home-coming of their forces which have performed valiant service abroad. The liberty for which they have been fighting demands the deliverance of mankind from that which has not inappropriately been called a curse. The bugle has sounded for this question to be settled once and for all. The liquor trust cannot destroy the right idea which underlies prohibition.

To forbid is plain English for prohibiting. Prohibition as used specifically in the United States is the legislative procedure of forbidding the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages. A study of Mrs. Eddy's writings proves that she was an outspoken advocate of total abstinence and was very much alert to the dangers resulting from the use of strong drink, especially as a supposed remedial agency. On page 158 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she writes, "Drugs, cataplasms, and whiskey are stupid substitutes for the dignity and potency of divine Mind and its efficacy to heal. It is pitiful to lead men into temptation through the byways of this wilderness world,—to victimize the race with intoxicating prescriptions for the sick, until mortal mind acquires an educated appetite for strong drink, and men and women become loathsome sots." Her followers have the privilege of making themselves mental supporters of prohibition and keeping mankind awake to this need of the hour. England has distinguished herself by granting national woman suffrage. She has led the way in this respect. America should promptly follow this example of her elder sister and should then help England free herself from the serpent that stings the vitals of her people through the false sense of thirst. It is the drink from Christ's cup which satisfies, purifies, and sanctifies. Let each branch of the English speaking race be an example to the other, then AngloAmerica will point the way to Anglo-Israel, and the spiritual Israel will be forthcoming. When these two unite their forces, they become irresistible for good. When angels guard the way, right ideas shine forth as a healing, saving power.

The day of divine protection has dawned upon many. The war with its horrible experiences and sacrifices has proved that man is not safe except under divine protection. Returning soldiers and sailors are bringing back many wonderful proofs that they have passed unharmed through fire, feeling that God was with them. Let the spirit of inspiration which fired the Americans to bring about the miracle of Château-Thierry go through the armies of the whole world. Alcoholic beverages were prohibited to the American troops. They had clear heads and were free from the influence of that drink which poisons. There is a lesson here, since clean drinking makes for clean thinking.

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