第41章 酒类的生产
§1
第41章 酒类的生产
§2
Chap. 41—The Manufacture of Wine and Cider
§3
在某地教会的弟兄和姐妹们：我蒙指示，你们作为一个教会并没有在恩典和真理的知识上长进。那能使你们成为一个兴旺健康的教会的，乃是你们奉献给上帝，献身为祂服务，为建立祂的圣工无私地劳苦作工，但这些你们都没有。你们没有彼此顺服。你们中间太多人坚持自己的想法，执行自己自私的计划，有些在教会中身居要职的人也列在这等人中。{5T354.2}[1]
§4
Dear Brethren and Sisters of the Church at -----,I have been shown that as a church you are not growing in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. There is not that consecration to God, that devotion to His service, and that disinterested labor for the upbuilding of His cause which would make you a prosperous and healthy church. You are not subject one to another. There are too many among you who have their own ideas to maintain and their own selfish plans to carry out, and some who occupy prominent places in the church are of this number.?{5T 354.2}[1]
§5
K弟兄没有专注上帝的荣耀；他没有从正确的立场看事情。他在听撒但的建议，咨询自己未成圣的判断力，抓住每一句能为他的错行辩护的话。他是自欺的；没有看到他正在把上帝的灵拒之门外。当他开始踏上这条路时，他并不知道它的危险，也没认识到它会把他导向何方。凡走在这条路上的人，最好立刻调转脚步，踏上安全之途。{5T354.3}[2]
§6
Brother K has not an eye single to the glory of God; he does not view things from a right standpoint. He is giving heed to suggestions of Satan and taking counsel of his own unsanctified judgment, and he grasps at every word that can be framed into a justification of his wrong course. He is self-deceived; he does not see that he is shutting himself away from the Spirit of God. When he entered upon this path he did not know its dangers nor realize where it would lead him. All who are walking in the same way would do well to turn their feet at once into the path of safety.?{5T 354.3}[2]
§7
我们是生活在一个不节制的时代，为满足口腹之欲的人供应果酒乃是得罪上帝。你们和别人合作此种工作，乃是因为你们没有顺从亮光。你们若是站在光中，你们就不会、也不能这样做了。你们每一位参加这项工作的人，若不改弦更张，就必难逃上帝的谴责。你们必须诚恳为人，立刻开始那使自己心灵免被定罪的工作。{5T354.4}[3]
§8
We are living in an age of intemperance, and catering to the appetite of the cider bibber is an offense against God. With?others you have engaged in this work because you have not followed the light. Had you stood in the light, you would not, you could not, have done this. Every one of you who has acted a part in this work will come under the condemnation of God unless you make an entire change in your business. You need to be in earnest. You need to commence the work at once to clear your souls from condemnation.?{5T 354.4}[3]
§9
你们某地的一些人，在谴责红丝带俱乐部的事上表现出令人惊奇的热心。就你们热心谴责这些团体的罪恶而言，你们是对的；但你们如果把说一句他们的好话，或表示一点善意就当成犯罪，那就是走向极端了。你们在凡事上都应始终如一。你们对“红丝带俱乐部”的名称表示反感，这是不符合基督精神的。你们苦毒的情绪对你们或其他任何人都没有帮助。{5T355.1}[4]
§10
Some of you in ----- developed wonderful zeal in denouncing the red-ribbon clubs. So far as you were actuated by a desire to condemn the evil in these societies, you were right; but when you acted as though it were a crime to speak at all in their favor, or to show them the least good will, you carried matters to extremes. You should be consistent in all things. You have cherished a hatred for the very name “red-ribbon club” that savors not of the Spirit of Christ, and your feelings of bitterness have not helped you or anyone else.?{5T 355.1}[4]
§11
你们把针对我们信徒的证言用在节制团体身上，损害了他们的属灵利益，并且曲解这些证言，用来压制人，使人有心理负担。你们这样对待所赐给你们的亮光，就给我的工作带来了坏名声。你们一点没必要这样做。你们中的一些人有一项工作要做，就是纠正这个问题。你们要给别人做一个铁床架；若是太短，就把人拉长；若是太长，就把人砍短。“你们不要论断人，就不被论断”（路6:37）。{5T355.2}[5]
§12
You have taken the testimonies given in reference to our people’s mingling with the temperance societies to the detriment of their spiritual interest, and by perverting them have used them to oppress and burden souls. By this treatment of the light given you have brought my work into disrepute. There was not the least necessity for this, and some of you have a work to do to make this matter right. You would make an iron bedstead for others; if too short, they must be stretched; if too long, they must be cut off. “Judge not, that ye be not judged.”?{5T 355.2}[5]
§13
你们在采取坚决的立场，反对积极参加节制团体的工作之后，若是本着良心照着自己所承认的圣洁信仰而行，你们还是拥有导人向善之影响的。可是因你们既参加造果酒的业务，你们的影响力便大为削弱。而且最糟的，便是你们已使真理蒙受诽谤，你们自己的灵魂也受了损害。你们已在自己与节制事业之间，建起了隔膜障碍。你们的行为，使非信徒们质疑你们的原则。你们没有为自己的脚修直道路，以致瘸子在你们身上歪脚及绊跌而灭亡。{5T355.3}[6]
§14
After you had taken a decided stand in opposition to active participation in the work of the temperance societies, you might still have retained an influence over others for good, had you acted conscientiously in accordance with the holy faith which you profess; but by engaging in the manufacture of cider you have hurt your influence very much; and what is worse, you have brought reproach upon the truth, and your own souls have been injured. You have been building up a barrier between yourselves and the temperance cause. Your course led unbelievers to question your principles. You are not?making straight paths for your feet, and the lame are halting and stumbling over you to perdition.?{5T 355.3}[6]
§15
我看不出在上帝律法的亮光之中，基督徒能心安理得地从事种植啤酒花，酿制葡萄酒或果酒供应市场的工作。这些东西可予以善用，成为福气，也可滥用，成为试探及祸害。果汁和葡萄汁，若在新鲜时装罐，便可长期保持甜美。若是用时没有发酵，就不会危害人的理性。但那些把苹果制作成果酒上市的人并不十分留意所用水果的状况。在许多情况下，烂苹果的汁也被榨了出来。那些不会想把烂苹果的毒素吃进身体里的人，却会喝由烂苹果制成的苹果汁，并称之为奢侈品。但是显微镜所披露的事实是，这种美味的饮料往往不适于人的肠胃，即使是新榨出来的。如果把它煮熟，并且小心去掉杂质，危害就少一些。{5T356.1}[7]
§16
I cannot see how, in the light of the law of God, Christians can conscientiously engage in the raising of hops or in the manufacture of wine or cider for the market. All these articles may be put to a good use and prove a blessing, or they may be put to a wrong use and prove a temptation and a curse. Cider and wine may be canned when fresh and kept sweet a long time, and if used in an unfermented state they will not dethrone reason. But those who manufacture apples into cider for the market are not careful as to the condition of the fruit used, and in many cases the juice of decayed apples is expressed. Those who would not think of using the poisonous rotten apples in any other way will drink the cider made from them and call it a luxury; but the microscope would reveal the fact that this pleasant beverage is often unfit for the human stomach, even when fresh from the press. If it is boiled, and care is taken to remove the impurities, it is less objectionable.?{5T 356.1}[7]
§17
我常听人说：“哦！这只是甜苹果汁；它是完全无害的，甚至是有益健康的。”于是几夸脱，或许几加仑的苹果汁就被带到家里了。几天之内它是甜的；然后就开始发酵了。那强烈的香味使它更合许多人的口味，而那贪爱甜酒或苹果酒的人就不愿承认自己所喜爱的饮料已经变烈发酸了。人们饮用葡萄酒及果酒，也可能真的醉了，犹如饮了烈酒一样。那最可怕的酩酊大醉，便是这些所谓的淡酒造成的。它使人的情欲更加乖张，品格起更大的变化，更坚梗而固执。几夸脱的果酒或葡萄酒，会激起人要求更强性烈酒的口味。在许多的情形下，那些变成酒鬼的人，就是这样打下了饮酒恶习的基础。对于某些人来说，在家里藏有葡萄酒或果酒，真是一点也不保险的。他们有遗传而来的要求刺激品的胃口，撒但便一直催请他们纵情畅饮。他们若屈服于他的试探，就不知何为止境；胃口就会要求放纵无度，并且以毁灭他们为满足。大脑被麻木而蒙蔽了；理性不再当权，而他们便受制于私欲。充满了纵欲、淫乱，几乎各种形式的邪恶都被行了出来，这便是放纵口腹之欲，饮葡萄酒或果酒所造成的恶果。一个自称信仰宗教的人，若是贪爱这些刺激并且使自己惯于饮用，是不可能在恩典中长进的。他变得粗俗下流肉欲属世了；兽性情欲控制了心智的高级能力，美德就不为人所珍爱了。{5T356.2}[8]
§18
I have often heard people say: “Oh! this is only sweet cider; it is perfectly harmless, and even healthful.” Several quarts, perhaps gallons, are carried home. For a few days it is sweet; then fermentation begins. The sharp flavor makes it all the more acceptable to many palates, and the lover of sweet wine or cider is loath to admit that his favorite beverage ever becomes hard or sour. Persons may become just as really intoxicated on wine and cider as on stronger drinks, and the worst kind of inebriation is produced by these so-called milder drinks. The passions are more perverse; the transformation of character is greater, more determined and obstinate. A few quarts of cider or wine may awaken a taste for stronger drinks, and in many cases those who have become confirmed drunkards have thus laid the foundation of the drinking habit. For some persons it is by no means safe to have wine or cider in the house. They have inherited an appetite for stimulants, which Satan is continually soliciting them to indulge. If they yield to his temptations they do not stop; appetite clamors for?indulgence and is gratified to their ruin. The brain is benumbed and clouded; reason no longer holds the reins, but they are laid on the neck of lust. Licentiousness, adultery, and vices of almost every type are committed as the result of indulging the appetite for wine and cider. A professor of religion who loves these stimulants, and accustoms himself to their use, never grows in grace. He becomes gross and sensual; the animal passions control the higher powers of the mind, and virtue is not cherished.?{5T 356.2}[8]
§19
少量饮酒乃是一所学校，人们在其中接受酒鬼生涯的教育。撒但这样渐渐地引人离开了节制的堡垒，葡萄酒和果酒也是这样悄悄地在人的胃口上发挥作用，使人在完全不知不觉之中走上了前往醉乡的大道。贪爱刺激品的胃口养成了，神经系统紊乱了；撒但使人的头脑常处于发烧的不安状态中。那可怜的受害者还以为自己十分安全，一步一步地，终至于打破了每一道防栅，牺牲了每一条原则。那最坚强的决心被破坏了，对永恒的关心也不够强烈，不足以把堕落的食欲保持在理性的控制之下了。{5T357.1}[9]
§20
Moderate drinking is the school in which men are receiving an education for the drunkard’s career. So gradually does Satan lead away from the strongholds of temperance, so insidiously do the harmless wine and cider exert their influence upon the taste, that the highway to drunkenness is entered upon all unsuspectingly. The taste for stimulants is cultivated; the nervous system is disordered; Satan keeps the mind in a fever of unrest; and the poor victim, imagining himself perfectly secure, goes on and on, until every barrier is broken down, every principle sacrificed. The strongest resolutions are undermined; and eternal interests are not strong enough to keep the debased appetite under the control of reason.?{5T 357.1}[9]
§21
有些人没有真正喝醉过，但却常受果酒或发酵葡萄酒的影响。他们头脑发热，思想也不稳定，虽然没有真正的发狂，却是完全处于恶劣的状态中；因为一切高尚的心智能力都已偏差败坏了。人若惯用发酸的果酒，结果便会发生各种疾病、浮肿、肝病、神经发颤和脑充血。许多人因此患上了终身难以治愈的疾病。有些人死于结核病，或单因饮酒而中风。还有一些人则受消化不良胃弱之苦。每一重要器官都运作不良。医生说他们患了肝病。其实，他们若砸掉果酒桶，永不再喝，他们已滥用了的生命力，还是会恢复其活力的。{5T357.2}[10]
§22
Some are never really drunk, but are always under the influence of cider or fermented wine. They are feverish, unbalanced in mind, not really delirious, but in fully as bad a condition; for all the noble powers of the mind are perverted. A tendency to disease of various kinds, as dropsy, liver complaint, trembling nerves, and a determination of blood to the head, results from the habitual use of sour cider. By its use many bring upon themselves permanent disease. Some die of consumption or fall under the power of apoplexy from this cause alone. Some suffer from dyspepsia. Every vital function is deadened and the physicians tell them that they have liver complaint, when if they would break open the cider barrel and never replace it, their abused life forces would recover their vigor.?{5T 357.2}[10]
§23
果酒的饮用，会导致人去喝更烈性的饮料。胃失去了天然的活力，便需要某种更强烈的东西来激动其工作。有一次我丈夫和我在旅行，我们不得不花几小时等火车。当我们在火车站的时候，一个面色通红浮肿的农夫走进了车站旁边的餐馆，粗声粗气地问：“你们有最好的白兰地吗？”回答说有，他就要了半杯。“你们有辣椒酱吗？”“有，”回答说。“好，放两大匙进去。”他接下来加了两匙酒进去，最后要了“大量的黑胡椒。”给他准备这些东西的人问道：“你喝这种混合的饮料干什么呢？”他回答说：“我想那会有很好的效果。”于是把这杯火辣辣的混和饮料端到嘴边，一饮而尽。那人已经用惯了刺激品，直到摧毁了柔软的胃膜。{5T357.3}[11]
§24
Cider drinking leads to the use of stronger drinks. The?stomach loses its natural vigor, and something stronger is needed to arouse it to action. On one occasion, when my husband and myself were traveling, we were obliged to spend several hours waiting for the train. While we were in the depot, a red-faced, bloated farmer came into the restaurant connected with it, and in a loud, rough voice asked: “Have you first-class brandy?” He was answered in the affirmative, and ordered half a tumbler. “Have you pepper sauce?” “Yes,” was the answer. “Well, put in two large spoonfuls.” He next ordered two spoonfuls of alcohol added, and concluded by calling for “a good dose of black pepper.” The man who was preparing it asked: “What will you do with such a mixture?” He replied: “I guess that will take hold,” and, placing the full glass to his lips, drank the whole of this fiery compound. That man had used stimulants until he had deadened the tender coats of the stomach.?{5T 357.3}[11]
§25
许多人读到这里，会对危险的警告一笑置之。他们会说：“我喝那点儿葡萄酒或果酒肯定不会伤害我的。”撒但把这样的人列为他的掠物；他一步一步诱导他们。他们却一点儿也没有察觉，直到习惯和口腹之欲的锁链坚固到无法打破。我们看到对烈酒的强烈欲望已控制了人。我们见过多少各行各业身负重任的人，身居高位、才干出众、功成名就、感情优美、神经强壮，理性能力很强，竟为放纵口腹之欲而牺牲一切，直至堕落到禽兽的地步。许多人的堕落是从饮用葡萄酒或果酒开始的。{5T358.1}[12]
§26
Many, as they read this, will laugh at the warning of danger. They will say: “Surely the little wine or cider that I use cannot hurt me.” Satan has marked such as his prey; he leads them on step by step, and they perceive it not until the chains of habit and appetite are too strong to be broken. We see the power that appetite for strong drink has over men; we see how many of all professions and of heavy responsibilities, men of exalted station, of eminent talents, of great attainments, of fine feeling, of strong nerves, and of good reasoning powers, sacrifice everything for the indulgence of appetite, until they are reduced to the level of the brutes; and in very many cases their downward course commenced with the use of wine or cider.?{5T 358.1}[12]
§27
有些自命为基督徒的聪明男女，声称制造葡萄酒或果酒来供应市场是无害的，因为未经发酵，所以不能令人致醉。我听了心中感到悲哀。我知道这问题有他们不愿正视的另一方面；但自私自利已使他们盲目，对于采用这些刺激品可能导致的可怕祸害，竟视若无睹。我看不出我们的弟兄们既知道啤酒花被用来作什么，如何还能避免一切弊端来从事啤酒花的种植。那些帮助生产这些饮料，从而鼓励并教育人爱好更强刺激品的人，将照他们工作的果效得到报应。他们是违犯上帝律法的人，他们要因他们所犯的罪，也因着他们放在别人路上的试探，影响那些人所犯的罪而受到惩罚。{5T358.2}[13]
§28
When intelligent men and women who are professedly Christians plead that there is no harm in making wine or cider for the market because when unfermented it will not intoxicate, I feel sad at heart. I know there is another side to this subject that they refuse to look upon; for selfishness has closed their eyes to the terrible evils that may result from the use of these stimulants. I do not see how our brethren can abstain from all appearance of evil and engage largely in the business?of hop raising, knowing to what use the hops are put. Those who help to produce these beverages that encourage and educate the appetite for stronger stimulants will be rewarded as their works have been. They are transgressors of the law of God, and they will be punished for the sins which they commit and for those which they have influenced others to commit through the temptations which they have placed in their way.?{5T 358.2}[13]
§29
但愿凡自称相信现代真理的人，和自称是改革家的人，都照他们的信心行事。如果一个教会名册上的人酿制葡萄酒或果酒在市场上买卖，就应该忠诚地为他作工，劝诫他。如果他继续做，就要受教会的责备。那些不愿受劝停止这种工作的人，不配在上帝的子民中占有一个地位和名号。我们要跟从基督，使我们的心和感化力反对每一邪恶的做法。在那日，当上帝的审判公布，我们要面对因着我们的影响而成了酒鬼的人，我们会有怎样的感受呢？我们正生活在赎罪日所预表的时代。我们的案件不久就会在上帝面前接受审查。如果我们的行为鼓励人使用刺激品，以致败坏人的理智，摧毁人的美德、纯正、和对上帝的爱，我们怎么会站在天庭呢？{5T359.1}[14]
§30
Let all who profess to believe the truth for this time, and to be reformers, act in accordance with their faith. If one whose name is on the church book manufactures wine or cider for the market, he should be faithfully labored with, and, if he continues the practice, he should be placed under censure of the church. Those who will not be dissuaded from doing this work are unworthy of a place and a name among the people of God. We are to be followers of Christ, to set our hearts and our influence against every evil practice. How should we feel in the day when God’s judgments are poured out, to meet men who have become drunkards through our influence? We are living in the antitypical day of atonement, and our cases must soon come in review before God. How shall we stand in the courts of heaven if our course of action has encouraged the use of stimulants that pervert reason and are destructive of virtue, purity, and the love of God??{5T 359.1}[14]
§31
那位律法师问基督说：“夫子！我该做什么才可以承受永生？”耶稣对他说：“律法上写的是什么？你念的是怎样呢？”他回答说：“你要尽心、尽性、尽力、尽意爱主你的上帝；又要爱邻舍如同自己。”耶稣说：“你回答的是；你这样行，就必得永生”（路10:25-28）。我们有得不到永生赏奖的危险。基督告诉我们如何能够得到。祂对我们指出上帝的圣言：“你念的是怎样呢？”道路已经指明。我们要爱上帝为至上，并爱邻舍如同自己。但我们若要爱邻舍如同自己，就不该将任何会成为邻舍网罗的东西投放到市场上。{5T359.2}[15]
§32
The lawyer asked Christ: “Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And He said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.” Eternal life is the prize at stake, and Christ tells us how we may gain it. He directs us to the written word: “How readest thou?” The way is there pointed out; we are to love God supremely and our neighbor as ourselves. But if we love our neighbor as ourselves we shall not throw upon the market anything that will be a snare to him.?{5T 359.2}[15]
§33
爱上帝爱人乃是基督徒全部的责任。爱的律法写在心版上，上帝的灵住在他里面，他的品格就表现在好行为上。耶稣曾成为贫穷，好使我们因祂的贫穷可以成为富足。我们乐于为了祂的缘故做出什么牺牲呢？我们心中怀有祂的爱吗？我们爱邻舍如同基督爱了我们一样吗？我们若有这种对人的爱，就会谨慎考虑，我们有否以任何方式藉着我们的言行和感化力将试探放在那些道德能力薄弱的人面前。我们就不会象法利赛人那样责难软弱受苦的人，而会尽力除掉我们弟兄路上的每一块绊脚石，免得瘸子差路。{5T359.3}[16]
§34
To love God and man is the Christian’s whole duty. The[16]
§35
我们教会自称为健康改良者，世界的擎光者，上帝的忠实哨兵，防守撒但用试探来败坏我们食欲的每一通道。因此，我们的榜样及影响应成为健康改良的力量。凡足以麻痹良心和助长试探的各种行为，都必须禁止。我们不可开启门户，让撒但进入赋有上帝形像之人的心中。如果大家都能儆醒严防那由饮所谓无害之淡酒而开的小裂口，通往醉乡的道路就会封闭了。在每一场合中，我们需要有坚定的意志，决心不摸，不尝，不拿；这样，节制的改良就会强固，持久和彻底了。{5T360.1}[17]
§36
law of love is written upon the tablets of the soul, the Spirit of God dwells in him, and his character appears in good works. Jesus became poor that through His poverty we might be made rich. What sacrifices are we willing to make for His sake? Have we His love enshrined in our hearts? Do we love our neighbor as Christ loved us? If we have this love for souls, it will lead us to consider carefully whether by our words, our acts, our influence in any way, we are placing temptation before those who have little moral power. We shall not censure the weak and suffering, as the Pharisees were continually doing, but we shall endeavor to remove every stone of stumbling from our brother’s path lest the lame be turned out of the way.?{5T 360.3}[17]
§37
爱钱财的心会使人们违背良心。或许那钱会被奉献在主的库里；但祂必不接受这种奉献，这对祂来说是一种冒犯。这种钱财是藉着违反祂的律法得来的，祂的律法要求人爱邻舍如同自己。犯法者没有理由说如果他不造葡萄酒或果酒，别人也会造，他的邻舍照样可能会变成一个酒鬼。因为某些人会把酒瓶放在他们邻舍的嘴边。基督徒愿意冒险用别人的血玷污自己的衣服，——去招致向那些把这种试探放在犯错之人路上的人所宣布的咒诅吗？基督号召跟从祂的人站在祂的旗帜之下，帮助败坏那恶者的作为。{5T360.2}[18]
§38
As a people we profess to be reformers, to be light bearers in the world, to be faithful sentinels for God, guarding every avenue whereby Satan could come in with his temptations to pervert the appetite. Our example and influence must be a power on the side of reform. We must abstain from any practice which will blunt the conscience or encourage temptation. We must open no door that will give Satan access to the mind of one human being formed in the image of God. If all would be vigilant and faithful in guarding the little openings made by the moderate use of the so-called harmless wine and cider, the highway to drunkenness would be closed up. What is needed in every community is firm purpose, and a will to touch not, taste not, handle not; then the temperance reformation will be strong, permanent, and thorough.?{5T 360.1}[18]
§39
世界的救赎主十分清楚末后日子的社会状况，祂把又吃又喝描绘为给这个时代所定的罪恶。祂告诉我们，挪亚的日子如何，人子显现的日子也要如何。“那时候的人又吃又喝，又娶又嫁，到挪亚进方舟的那日，洪水就来，把他们全都灭了”（路17:27）。末后的日子会存在这种事态。相信这些警告的人必极其谨慎，不采取使他们被定罪的行动。{5T361.1}[19]
§40
The love of money will lead men to violate conscience. Perhaps that very money may be brought to the Lord’s treasury, but He will not accept any such offering; it is an offense to Him. It was obtained by transgressing His law, which requires that a man love his neighbor as himself. It is no excuse for the transgressor to say that if he had not made wine or cider, somebody else would, and his neighbor might have become a drunkard just the same. Because some will place the bottle to their neighbor’s lips, will Christians venture to stain their garments with the blood of souls,—to incur the curse pronounced?upon these who place this temptation in the way of erring men? Jesus calls upon His followers to stand under His banner and aid in destroying the works of the devil.?{5T 360.2}[19]
§41
弟兄们哪，但愿我们根据圣经的亮光来观察此事，并在凡事节制上发挥坚定的影响力。苹果和葡萄都是上帝的礼物，可作为最佳的健康食品，但也可被人误用，将之糟蹋浪费。由于人类的罪习恶行，上帝现已使葡萄及苹果的收成不佳。我们应在世人之前作健康改良者，无论何时都不可让不信的人来诽谤我们的信仰。基督说：“你们是世上的盐，”“世上的光。”但愿我们显明自己的思想与良心都处在上帝恩典改变人心的大能之下，自己的生活是受上帝律法纯洁原则的管束，即使是这些原则可能要我们牺牲今生暂时的利益，也在所不惜。{5T361.2}[20]
§42
The world’s Redeemer, who knows well the state of society in the last days, represents eating and drinking as the sins that condemn this age. He tells us that as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be when the Son of man is revealed. “They were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and knew not until the Flood came, and took them all away.” Just such a state of things will exist in the last days, and those who believe these warnings will use the utmost caution not to take a course that will bring them under condemnation.?{5T 361.1}[20]