Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-02-04
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ruption of human nature has been
the same in all the past. It turns
Gods blessings into instruments of
evil which destroy nations as well as
individuals. But God does not leave
men in ignorance of these results.
They are warned of the inevitable
consequences of evil conduct IN every
stage of their departure from the
right by receiving the punishment at
tached to the transgression of the di-
vine law. But it is of the nature of
sin that it disturbs all the higher fac
ulties of human nature creating NOR
bid appetites and desires which hur-
- one on to ruin. The conscience,
Fhen this condition is reached. no
longer responds to better impulses, the
will is languid or entirely refuses to
Get, and the man or nation like a dis
abled vessel IS carried on by winds
and currents without Intelligent guild
ance. God appears II the midst of
the Wretchedness which sin produces.
offering mercy and divine assistance
to all who are willing to return from
their evil ways, yet, declaring that a
height of rebellion may be attained
through long periods when repentance
and an escape from punishment are
impossible. The divine order is chang
ed in these extreme cases; Punish
ment is dealt out, often with terrible
swiftness and severity, and then re-
pentance is again possible; and the
soul or people if they repent, are re-
instated in their former possessions.
This is the scheme of the later history
of the Hebrew people
The SIN and degradation of drunk
enness are first described In their true
character in the Bible. In the case
of Noah, the first of long, we might
say of an unending, series, we have
an example of the degradation of the
individual; intemperance is the one
blot on righteous life. All along
the sacred history the testimony of
those who speak for the Lord Jeho-
yah Is no uncertain sound. They see
intemperance subduing men until
they become brutal, and the crown of
manhood, interviewer of honor and
purity, cast into the dust. One is
amazed at the recklessness which
drunkenness inspires All the higher
responsibilities of life have lost their
influence when once the demon of in
las BdlLGA bLi6 lldBGeEV.
The brightness of genius grows dim,
the flavor which love and friendship
give to human fellowship is dissipa-
ted, the intellect becomes dulled, the
affections are held in captivity, and
the beauty and courage which give
grace and stability to human associa-
ton disappear. Civilization has not
mitlgated the evil. The inventive
genius of man has found a more IA
Gle and potent instrument than the
wine-cup in the products of the still.
Its power is more subtle, its hold firm
er, and the ruin Of the soul swifter
and more complete. And over against
all this is written in Gods last dispen-
sation of mercy, mo drunkard can
enter into the kingdom of God"
IntemperRnce wrecks nations as
it does indiyiduals and as certainly.
It may not accomplish its work in a
single generation, but the forces at
work and the process is the same. 1t
gradually destroys the moral quali-
ties which give permanency to nation
al life. The teaching of history is
that as prosperity is attained and
wealth affords the means for luxur-
ious living only the most thorough
practice of virtue can arrest the de-
velopment of the seeds of evil ALWAYS
dormant or active In human nature.
OF these none has wrought greater
harm than intemperance. Some Of
the older nations went so far as to
make drunkenness and revelry a part
of their religious services, so seduc-
tive are the destinations of intoxicat-
ing liquor. Such nations were lack
| ing IN the sense, or even the concen-
ton, OF the purity of thought and wor-
ship which God was teaching to his
| people. But Gods own people were
not apt scholars. The obdurate heart
and the temptations of idolatry were
continually leading them astray. We
have described by the prophets into
what fearful deapths of iniquity the
people of Israel had fallen, although
God had not ceased to warm them by
the most faithful and courageous
messengers. The dissolute Court and
people would not give heed to the
word of the Lord. And the glorious
beauty of the possessions Of the drunk
ards of Ephralm became as "a fading
flower, and as the hasty fruit before
the summer" The infection of in
temperance had penetrated every
where, into those places which should
have been especially protected against
it. The seat of judgment had been
invaded and there was no longer lust
judgment; priest and prophet had
erred through strong drink. So deep
| ly had the people fallen that only the
most severe affection could produce
the humiliation that leads to repen-
tance and restoration to the divine IA
vor.
There is no lesson of the past in
the history of the Hebrew people
which appeals to this nation more di-
rectly than that of this departure
from rectitude along these lines,
Strong drink is producing poverty,
immortality, crime and infdelitv
throughout the land The saloon e
dominating our politics and prepar-
ing the way for national disaster.
Everyone who fears God should take
an open stand against it, and pro
claim the one remedy-prohIbition.
T2~11.-.,,