“Part of the Holy Writings consist of history, and the narration of facts of a kind that cannot be mentioned in the presence of a virtuous woman without exciting horror. Shall a woman be permitted to read in her chamber what she would tremble to hear at her domestic board? Shall she con over and revolve what she would rather die than utter?”
And if unfit for the perusal of a matured woman, shall innocent childhood be polluted by these vile, indecent tales?
CHAPTER XXXI.
INTEMPERANCE—VAGRANCY—IGNORANCE.
Intemperance.
I refuse to accept the Bible as a moral guide because it fosters the evil of intemperance.
While the sacred books of Buddhists and Mohammedans, by forbidding the use of intoxicating drinks, have contributed to make drunkenness among these people disreputable and rare, the Bible, by encouraging their use, has made intemperance in Christian countries frightfully prevalent and almost respectable.
“Thou shalt bestow that money for whatsoever thy soul lusteth after, for oxen or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink” (Deut. xiv, 26).