“Then it is the duty of us clergymen,” said the other, “to warn people to be more on their guard against excess in this direction but not, by becoming total abstainers ourselves, to lead our flocks to suppose that there is sin in the mere taking of any amount of intoxicating liquors, however small.”
“I think,” said Mr Oliphant, very gravely, “that our duty is something beyond, and, may I say, above this. We live in a peculiarly self-indulgent age, when men are exceedingly impatient of anything like a restraint upon their appetites and inclinations. We have, besides this, the acknowledged fact that, where other sins slay their thousands, drunkenness slays its hundreds of thousands of all ages. Is it not, then, a privilege, (I always prefer to put it rather as a privilege than a duty), for us, who are to be as lights in the world, as ensamples to our flocks, to take a high stand in this matter, and show that we will deny ourselves that which has so insidiously worked the ruin of millions, that so we may perhaps win poor fallen creatures, fallen through drink, to come out of their miserable slough by crying to them, not merely ‘Come out,’ but ‘Come out and follow us!’”
Mr Oldfield did not answer; but Sir Thomas, turning to the rector, said,—
“I am sure this subject is deeply interesting to both you and myself, on our dear Frank’s account. You know my views on the subject of total abstinence. Still I feel that there may be exceptional cases, where its adoption may be wise, and I could imagine that his might be such a case.”
“I heartily agree with you,” replied Mr Oliphant.
“Oh no, my dear,” exclaimed Lady Oldfield; “I am quite sure total abstinence would never suit poor Frank; his constitution would not bear it; I appeal to you, Dr Portman, is it not so?”
“I am quite of your ladyship’s opinion,” said the doctor.
“You hear what Dr Portman says,” cried her ladyship, turning to the rector.
“I do,” was the reply; “but that does not alter my conviction. Medical men’s views have greatly changed of late years on this subject. Excuse me, Dr Portman, for thus differing from you.”
“Really,” interposed Mr Oldfield, “I think you must allow the doctor to be the best judge of the medical side of the question. What would you say if the doctor on his part were to intrude on your province, and question your statements of scriptural truth from the pulpit?”