The Columbian fountain., 1846-04-28
Number rs.

will notwithstanding pursue bis own plea
sures OF gains by putting a" stumbling
block or an occasion to fall in his brothers
way" This is serious charge, i admit,
but it is true. Imight prove it true, by
referring to several practices which are
common IN community But shall on
the present occasion confne the proof to a
single topic, viz.--the preoalent habits in
regard 10 the use and sale ofintoricating L.
quors. fl
lst. The man who uses intoxicating IL
.quors as beverage, puts stumbling
block or all occasion to fall in brothers.
way" .s. e&.e.t '..7 .'
He drinks, and his example and influence
encourage others to drink Theirruin was
brought about instrumentally by what he
did Did he not then aput stumbling
block or an occasion to fall in his brothers.
way.?" Did not his example and infu-
ence. 60 to bring about the ruin Of his bro
ther.9'a Is he not, just so far as his own ha-
bits had an actual influence in bringing
about the catastrophe, guilty Of his brothers
blood He knew that many Of his neigh
bors were in danger from the habitof drink
ing. He knew this years ago. If he had
been kind and benevolent, as he wished to
be considered, would he not have ceasedto
encourage those neighbors in their way to
ruin by his own example If he had been
benevolent like Paul, would he not have
said eff meat make my brother to offend,
! will eat no flesh while the world standeth,
lest | make my brother to ohenda" !" Lie he
had not been self-indulgent and careless of
the fate of Others, would he not have'ab-
stained from practice which he saw was
running thems But, alas he was SO selfish
and self.willed, although he saw his neigh
bors falling around him, that he would not
give up his habit. He was SO bent on self
indulgence that he would crafty his appe-
tte, though by SO doing he encouraged
others 10 go on in the sure way to ruin.
Can he be considered kind man bene-
violent man? Not SO kindness and bene-
lence never "put stumbling g-block OF an
occasion to fall in his brothers. way.n-
Kindness and benevolence would say now,
as they did once say in the example Of Paul
OFF meat make my brother to offend, ]
will eat no flesh while the world standeth,
lest | make my brother to Offend" .it !,
Perhaps the victim is the man 9 own son!
His own practice and example encouraged
his son to sip at the intoxicating bowl The
son soon began 10 sip too deeply. The
father saw it, or he might have seen it,,
But although he loved his son, and trem-
bled for his safety, yet he would not give
up his own habit to save him. He would
not turn about and set different example,
though his son should go on and perish.
Does he not put stumbling block, or oc-
caslon to fall " in his sons way. And is
he not accountable for the fall, Just SO far
as his own example and influence were the
occasion oj it !? @l" M ' %'A A1ta toioE y.
Or, if not son, it was friend or neigh
bora brother man. He saw this neigh
Dor in danger. He knew it for days, months,
years, beforehand. But he would not try
to influence. him by his own example Of alb
stlnence. He would continue to eat flesh,
although his brother man should be ruined.
To such man, would say, and the truth
says, every sue man, according to the A.
mount and extent of his influence, g puts a
stumbling block or occasion to fall in his
brother's way" and Con will hold him ac
countable, in the great day of trial, for all
the results of his influence in this matter.
I'd. The man who deals out spirituous
liquors for Others to drink, or who provides
the means for doing ii by furnishing house
Tor the purpose, violates the precept of the .
text, and "puts stumbling block or occa-
sion to fall in his brothers. way" tn4.a
Such man is tempter OF his brother.
He openly aud publicly tennis his neigh