The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-03-24
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvOR.
Topic Tor the Week Beginning March 10.
Comment by Rev. s. II. Doyle.

Topic Tor the week beginning March 1O.
Comment by Rev. $. II. Doyle.
ToPIc.-Temperance Prov. xiii, 1873.
The proyAbs Of Solomon are full of
instruction and wisdom. 1t is not with
ont reason that they are so. God gave
him wisdom. His position was such as
to give him personal experience in all
the vanities Of life. He was also. as we
learn from his writings, a close observer
of men. Guided by these three sources
of wisdom, in terse, pointed sentences he
constantly lifts his voice against the in
furious and evil practices of men. and
among them intemperance In the ref
erence of our topic we see what we may
call three warnings in reference to in
temperance:
/. Solomon warns against the charms
Of evil, verse II, "Let not thine heart
envy sinners There is something about
sin and sinners that fascinates specially
the youthful and inexperienced. 1t was
this that caused the downfall Of our first
parents. A fatal look, fatal desire, a
fatal action, and humanity was ruined.
Intemperance particularly, as seen in its
best light, presents these Vaccinations.
The brilliant saloon, the quiet wine
party, with their associations Of apparent
freedom, Of good cheer and joviality, have
their attractions. But we must not envy
sin and sinners. The look of desire may
lead to false action, and in the end ruin.
To see sin in It's true light we must look
beyond its glitter and glare. In its hid
eous forms Of disease and death 1t is not
enviable. That these may not come to
us let us envy it not even in its most de-
sirable forms.
2. Solomon warns against the associa-
ton of evil, verse 20, BE not among
wine bibbers." Great danger lies in evil
associations. evil communications cor
rupt good manners" No one can come
in contact with evil without being con-
taminated to some extent. To look upon
evil, to touch it, Is communicating. The
only safe course is to. ''avoid the very sp-
pearance of evil" to shun evil compan-
ions, to studiously avoid all places and
associations of evil That which in itself
may not be evil, but which is associated
with evil or which leads to it, must also
be avoided. The true course of temper
ance calls upon us to shun the associa-
ton of the incorporate, all places of In
temperance, all things associated with it
and all things whose tendency is to lead
to 1t. .r
3. Solomon warns against the results
of evil, verse 81, "For the drunkard
and the glutton shall come to poverty"
Who has not see tho terrible results of
all sins, and especially the sin Of drink
The pathway Of life is strewn with
wrecked bodies, minds, homes, hopes
all caused by the accursed influence Of
drink. Let the young, therefore, be
warned against it. Look upon it In it's
last results rather than its first appear
ances. I'm the end it biteth like SER
pent and stingeth like an adder" In
total abstinence alone lies true safety
from the awful results of intemperance.
Bible References-Deut. xxi, 20, 81;
Prov. vi, 81; Xxx, 1; xiii, 20, 80; lisa.
xviii, 8; Dan. i, 8; Joel i, s, 6; Amos vi,
8, Z; Math. xiv, 49-51; Luke i, IS; xxi,
8, A; Rom. xiii, 13; xiv, 81; Cor. v, IL;
VI, 10; Eph. v, 1s; Gal. v, 81.