Smyrna times., 1883-05-09
Sobriety,


out let us watch and be sober.
For they that sleep sleep in the n
night, and they that be drunken are b
drunken in the night.
But let us, who are of the day, be
sober, putting on the breast plate of :.
faith and love; and for an helmet, the
hope of salvation.
The subject upon which the forego- :
ing is based, stands opposed to bodily {
excess, and especially to drunkenness.
1t is painful to think that it should
be ever necessary even to mention
such q subject among those who ever
profess to be civilized, intelligent peO-
pie, living in christian country.
The Spartans presented to their
children intoxicated slaves, that, see
ing their beastly demeanor they might
detest the vice, and to-day you cannot
bring forth i drinker, but will acknowl-
edge that it causes a pang to run
through his whole body, at the sight of
a comrade who may be under the in
fiuence of the most damning curse the
christian public has to fight against.
Some Pagan Legislators inflicted q
double punishment upon crimes COM
mitted in n state of intoxication. But !
look at our Christian -givers and |
judges; they are not equally wise and !
just, for how scandalous is it to hear
men, in court of justice, allege their
intOxication to extenuate, if not to
| justify their conduct.
Drunkenness takes away the man,
and leaves the brute"
Z" 1t dethrones reason from its seat"
1t covers the wretch with rags, and
reduces his wife and children to want
and beggary.
1t impairs appetite, produces tremb-
ling of limbs, and such sinking of spir-
its as almost compsls to the repetition
of the offense-so that, physically. as
well as morally, it is next to impossi-
BILE to cure it.
Let these two words "Be sober
from which this warning is taken,
guard against it, and not only in the
grossness, but the gujH
Head of the household, beware!
Some professors of religion seem to
think they are not chargeable with the
, sin; they are, and there are many who
do not open their mouths to say word
, against the filthy traffic; this they will
have to answer for; and credit is due
the ones who hare tried, are trying
now, and ,rW continue to try to enforce
Local Option in our little State of
Delaware.
The pure and holy religion of Jesus,
l when it says, BE Sober, forbids much
more than this vile and offensive prac-
tice.
I 1t enjoins temperance in all eur ap.
+ petiteS, desire and affections.
1t extends even to business. As O
c man may be entangled, so he may be
intoxicated with the affairs of this life
~ and how often do the cares of this life
: and the deceitfulness of riches, choke
: the word and it becometh unfruitful.
d Sleep is natural and necessary in
$ dulgence, but we may be excessive il
Il this, as well as in other things.
"A Recreation is allowable and salutary
u but we may exceed the bounds which
y the redemption of time, and the repair
N ing and reftting US for our duties cal
III only allow.
le Paul exhorteth Timothy to "be Sobe
SIS minded"
+ How intemperate are some in thei
M opinions, and especially opinions of re
le ligion, that regards Inferior truths, an
ne subjects concerning which the under
OF standing meets with the greatest diff
We culties.
Is Some are eager and rash and positiv
re in all their judgments, and nothing
q; too absurd or ridiculous for their adoI
IL ton.
ell Finally, l say to every one that
In amongst us tonight, not to think {
is himself more highly than he ought t
%! think, but think soberly,-that is I
~ say, not over.rating his station, his col
nj nections, his abilities, his usefulnss
lp' and his performances.
ng For if man think himself to be som
IN thing rhen he is nothing, he deceived
ire himself only.
Let your moderation be known III
to all men,"
IT, A good name is rather te be chess
" than great rishes.-Read before Il
oA Young Peoples Christian BenerOle
~ Society.
e These assertions THAT prohibition {