Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-06-15

every one OF us SHdli SlNc 49," -
himself to God Is Let us not therefore
Judge one another any more: but judge
this rather. that no man put stumbling
block or an occasion to fall in MS prolh-
er's way II | know, and am persuaded
by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing
unciean of itself: but to him that eS-
teemeth anything 10 be uncleau. TO nm
ii is unclean. Il But il thy brother be
arieved with thy meat, now waikest thou
not charitably. Destroy not him win my
meat. for whom Christ died. 10 Let not
then your good be evil spoken Oh. IL for
the kingdom of God is not meat anu
drink; but righteousness. and peace ana
JOY in the Holy Ghost. Is For he that III
these things serveth Christ is acceptable
to God, and approved of men. u Let US
therefore follow after the things when
make for peace. and things wherewith
one may edify another. 20 For meat de-
stroy not the work of God. All things
indeed are pure: but it is evil for that
man who eateth with offense Il IL Is
good neither to eat flesh, nor TO drink
wine, nor anything whereby thy brother
stumbleth, or is offended, or Is made
weak.
a Difficulty and It's Solutlon.-There
was party among the Jews-the rs
senes-who were given to ascetcism
When they became Christians they car
ried this rigorous self-deniai with them.
Converts from the heathenism or Romc
and Corinth had had so much experience
with idolatry that they dreaded anything
at all connected with ii which had been
offered to idols, and wine used for sac
rificial libations was as repugnant to
them as fire to a burnt child. To partake
or such meat and drink, whether at tenn
pie feasts or in their homes, would be TO
defile their conscience and sanction Meath
en- worship. with the inevitable physical
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There were also in the church men whose
faith SO discerned the spiritual character
of Christianity that they had no scruples
about such matters. They ate and drank
what they liked and IL one of the weak
er brethren was shocked at their con-
duct they called him narrow-minded.
Paul warns both classes against judging
their brethren. Thought of the tudg-
ment day should restrain US from as
Stunning an Office which belongs to God. 1t
should make US careful as TO our own
conduct. To meet the case another
weighty principle Is laid down. The le-
gal liberty of good man should never
be exercised when moral evil would re-
suit. We are bound to consider the pos
sible effect of our actions upon others.
Sanction involves partnership. If Christ
surrendered his life for the brother whose
conscience is injured by our example,
ought not we to surrender the indulgence
which would inilict on him fatal injury?
SO in our lesson the fact is emphasized
that we are members one of another. and
that Individual preferences are to be
subservient TO mutual service.
Lesson Hymn:
BE IL my only wisdom here, TO serve the
Lord with filial fear. with loving
gratitude:
Superior sense may l display by shun-
ming every evil way, and walking i'll
the good.
o may still from sin depart: wise and
understanding heart, Jesus, TO me b.
given:
And let me through thy Spirit know to
glorify my God below, and find my
way to heaven.
Charles Wesley.
In our lesson we find hints OF five laws.
all of which should govern the Chris
tian.
1. The law of Accountability Verses
1912. Every one of us must render an
account for himself before God. We have
no right to judge our brother; and our
brother has no right to judge us Each
one must settle his account with his
own conscience.
.. The Law of Liberty. Verses II. H.
Nothing is unclean of ITSELF" that is.
the disciple has a right to eat or TO drink
anything he pleaSeS. He is free. and no
man can bring him into bondage to any
set of rules. The highest liberty is that
In the service of Christ.
g. The Law of Charity. Verses 15-l1.
Though the disciple is not responsible to
his brother. and is free from man-made
regulations. yet there is another law that
should control his conduct. 1t is the law
of love to his brother man. He should
do nothing. eat nothing. drink nothing,
that may lead his brother astray and
cause him to fall away from Christ.
4. The Law of Edification. Verses IS.
70. Not only should he avoid those things
that will mislead another: he should go
farther and seek those things that will
edify. or build up. another. His question
should ever be. How may 1 so live as
10 promote the Christly character in those
around me-"
g. The Law of Self-denal. Verses 90
81 We should be willing to deny our
selves of some OF our rights il thereby
we can DO good To others or avoid doing
harm TO others. Christ's kingdom is one
of cross-bearing, of denying self, of living
for others. We should count no sacrifice
too great ii thereby we can save a soul
The application of these principles to the
question is manifest. BY these
laws the Christian is hidden to refrain
from such drinking as would harm others
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