The Pastor's Letter (April 1976)
Dear Friends,
With almost continuous monotony we read and hear of the increase in drunkenness and alcoholism throughout our country in these days. We could only wish that the professing evangelical churches of our land would adopt a far more distinct policy with regards to the scourge.
In our own area in the north of Scotland the tolerance towards strong drink in some of the main branches of evangelicalism is to be greatly regretted. The height of “Highland hospitality” is often epitomised in a glass of whisky, and, as in some other respects, the churches have looked to the culture that they abide in rather than to the obligation of witness that is laid upon them in that culture. We have heard of one church elder (and, of course, he is not alone in this,) who transacted a bit of business with another, poured out two glasses to clinch the deal, and then proceeded to “ask a blessing” before downing the noxious poison! That may appear to have overtones of old-world piety about it to some some “reformed romantics”. Alcoholism has increased and drink-related problems account for a large number of admittances to Scottish mental hospitals.
It's time that such facts were beginning to trouble the consciences of that theology of tolerance that too much enjoys its “dram” to be prepared to abstain from such appearances of evil.
We would also like to send this short despatch, of course, to the southern half of our kingdom, as well, for we feel that a mock sophistication has a hold on some reformed impressionables with regards to the “drink” question. No matter how much some brethren (and sisters) feel that they can justify a moderate approach to drink from scripture – dear old Timothy's stomach, for example – we would beg to point out that there is one very pertinent principle enunciated by the apostle Paul, namely, that although all things might be “lawful”, all things are not “expedient”. And surely, in these particular days of such abuse in this particular area, it is far from expedient for any man or woman of the Church of Christ to give credence to a type of sin that may yet be one of the greatest single factors in the total collapse and downfall of the generation in which the Lord has set us to shine as lights.
We purposely kept these comments short. The general situation of our day throughout our land is too obvious to require detailed analysis. It is an old, old poem that we reproduced in the last edition titled “The Public House Bar” and we recommend it without apology, believing that the attitude which it breaths and speaks is one that would not go amiss in the midst of our churches today.