The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-06-07

Moves Itself Alright.
In the end it will bite like n serpent
And sting like a viper
2. Time and Place.
The Book of Proverbs was written by
Solomon about 1000 years before Christ.
3. TIE Author Solomon.
Son of David--third King of Judah and
Benjsmin-very learned-writer of Prov
cribs, Eeelesiastes, Canticle, and a Psalm
greatly experienced.
4. Ten Characteristics of Intemperance.
We have stated here several of the serious
effects of drunkenness:
l. Woe. 80
2. Sorrow. 30.
3. Contentious. 20.
A. BabbFng. 49, Perverse things. So
5. Wounds 80. Biteth; stingeth. 80.
6. Redness of eyes. 90.
Z. Lust. 80.
8. Urconsciousness Of danger. 81.
8. Uneonsciousness of pain and disgrace.
3d.
TO- Loss of self-control. 35
Notes
!. Woe 90 The word carries the idea
of extreme distress. Such is the lot of the
drunkaFd. What folly, then, to use liquors
for drowning trouble. The poet Burns had
high Appreciation of Scotch whisky, and so
declares:
twill make man forget his woe"
But it also causes him to foget himself; to
forget his business; to forget his family to
forget all sense of obligation. But it is only
brief oblivion, TO be followed by fearful
consciousness. Then every woe is magni-
fed. Woes forgotten are yet woes. They
leave terrible marks. Further, We are not
only 10 consider the woes so far as they re-
late to the merely physical, but the woes
also resulting from Gods opposition to such
evil and the accountability at the final
Judgment Of huHian conduct. Us, I'll,
II; Hab., 2: 5; Prov, %: / % 30; Eph.,
5:18)
9 Sorrow 90 It is supposed we are to
understand the sense of loss felt by the
drunkard, producing pain of heart, utter
misery of conscience, deprivation Drunk
ards lose health, money, friends, selfrespect,
confidence OF comm unity, character, happi-
ness.
3. Contentious. 90. Intemperance leads
to brawls, quarreling. Bitter words are
spoken, leading 10 blows. At times deadly
weapons are used, and so we read of muir
ders.
4. BabbIina. 90. Dir. J. r. Kendriek
says the meaning is trouble or solcitude
mental agitation resulting from prostration
and unstrung nerves. One in such a con-
dftion would not be coherent with his
tongue. Dr. Conant renders, complaining.
We read III verse SO, Thine heart shall
utter peryerse ihings"; that is to say,
thou wilt from thy heart, under the
influence of a drunken mind, speak per-
verse words. Perverse words-K endrick-
"driveling nonsense, or raving wicked
ness"
g. Wounds. 80 Then, in verse 49, we
find him bitten, stung; wounds In good en-
counters add 10 a mans repute. QuaEreiing
generally results in fights. So The drunk
ard not only has red eyes (29) but often
b ack- and blue eyes. Wounds without
cause are wounds without any iustifiable
cause-wounds received in grOundless dis
putes.
The comparison of final results of in
TEN perance to the bite of serpent and the
sting of an adder show the horrible conse-
qusnees to the body, mind aud soul. Con-
science is involved. 1t burns like the poison
of an asp injected into the human body. At
"last" (32) 1t seemed delightful at first,
but at last! A wise man must consider the
eBd az well as the beginning of every course
of action adopted by him.
6. "Redness of eyes. A reference to the
bloodshot appearance of drunkard's eyes.
Alcohol first quickens the circulation of the
blood, but this state OF things gives way
gradually to the opposite, as the blood YES
sells become permanently dilated. This ac-
counts for the red and fiery appearance of
the drunkard's eyes and nose"
There may be reference also to the general
infamed condition of the entire physical
system, especially the stomach, OF which the
redness OF the eyes is an indication. Isa.,
SID
T. Lust SO. The sin of intemperance
may be cIassed under the Sixth Command
ment. The evil is killing, numbering, in
special, selfdestruction. But the evil in
wolves also the Seventh Commandment.
Wine and lust are concomitants.
8. Inconsistencies of danger. "a. A
| drunken man has no idea of the fitness of
things. Sense Of possible harm is lost.
One lies on the railroad track and is killed.
Another lies in the field and is frozen to
death. Another lies on luggage and is
| rolled into the sea.
8. Inconsistencies Of pain, abuse, etc.
35. We have seen snlen drunk receiving the
greatest indignities, insulted and hooted at
by boys, repeatedly struck by stones or
sticks. There seemed insensibility to shame
or pain. 81 was not Sick" practically
means, az just below felt it not" All
sense of manhood dignity, self-respect was
gone. prov, 27:22; Jer., SO; Eph.,
4:19.) 3q,oI
10. Loss of selfcontrol. 35. The will
is gone. The man cannot resist temptation
Consciousness does not assert itself. (Deu.,
%: 10; Isa., So: IL ;rJet, 2: 25.)
8. Illustrations.
We quote the two following:
"There was a wonderful truth taught in
the goblet which the genius of a heather
fashioned. Having made model of a SER
peDt, he fixed it in the bottom of the cup.
Coiling for the spring, pair of cleaning
| eyes fixed in its head, and in its open mouth
| fangs raised to strike, it lay beneath the
ruby wine.
He who raised the cup to his lips, to
guench his thirst and quaff the wine, could
| not see what lay beneath, till, as he reached
| the dregs, that dreadful head rose up and
glistened before his eyes. So, when life )
cup is nearly emptied, and sins last pleasure
| quaffed, and the bitter dregs are being
drained, shall rise the CHASTITY terrors of
remorse, and death, and Judgment upon the
| despairing soul. Be assured, a serpent turks
at the bottom of quilts sweetest pleasure
/ There is legend abroad of some one, of
whom it was foretoId that she should die of
q serpent's bite. The father, to keep her
| away from that built castle far out in the
| sea. He said no serpent could crawl there;