Article November 6, 1937 Issue

Temperance

DELLA M. WHITNEY

Paul attached significance to temperance, as shown in his letter to the Galatians, when he said, "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance; against such there is on law."

In recent years much has been said of temperance, often, however, with reference solely to abstinence from intoxicating liquors. And while in this sense temperance is of vital importance, yet it can also be helpfully and appropriately practiced in other respects. In relation to the use of alcohol, temperance should be interpreted from a Christianly scientific standpoint as total abstinence. A positive command for total abstinence from intoxicants is given in Proverbs, where we read: "Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his colour in the cup, when it moveth itself aright. At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder." The teachings of Christian Science on the subject are also positive. Mrs. Eddy says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 289), "Strong drink is unquestionably an evil, and evil cannot be used temperately: its slightest use is abuse; hence the only temperance is total abstinence."

Among the definitions given by Webster of the word "temperance" we find "habitual moderation in the indulgence of the appetites ... abstinence from, the use of intoxicants ... self-control; calmness."

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