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Taking Stock… Post-New Year’s Eve… | History's Newsstand Blog

Taking Stock… Post-New Year’s Eve…

January 12, 2024 by  
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Now that the holidays are in the rear-view mirror…

New Year’s Eve is traditionally a time of reflective celebration with family and friends, accompanied by great fellowship, an abundance of food, and a drink or two… or three… or four… or…  Perhaps it was during just such an occasion back in the 1700’s which inspired Ben Franklin to (supposedly) pen, “”Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.” Before anyone fires off a corrective note in my direction, it doesn’t take a lot of internet-browsing to learn that while this rumor went viral in the 1990’s, his actual statement was in regard to wine – but the point is the same. This beloved forefather loved the company of others, and raising a glass while dining in their company was not a rare occurrence. For better or worse, and with few exceptions, the masses have embraced his lifestyle, with this reality on full display each New Year’s Eve.

No judgement here. After all, let’s review:  A wise man once concluded, “Beer (wine) is proof…”. However, an even wiser Source (also referred to in Franklin’s quote) admonishes us to not over-indulge.

Seizing this position, the famed 18th century doctor, Benjamin Rush, put together a “Moral Temperance Thermometer” (shown below) which was printed in multiple publications of his day – The Columbian Magazine for January, 1789 being the first. Does it have validity? Before deciding, why not give it a gander, chew on it a bit, and drink in Dr. Rush’s illustrated thesis on the matter?

Regardless of your final analysis, may 2024 be a year for us all to enjoy the blessing which come our way… in moderation. 🙂

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