The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-06-12


person is seeking the favor of Christ.
Quite as naturally the pagan bred Chris
tians who saw other Christians eating
the meat which had been consecrated
to idols, assumed that these Christians
believed that they could thus gain favor
of the gods. and thus made profession of
pagan faith. And these paganbred
Christians would initiate the acts of the
other Christians. to their own moral
ruin. To them such acts mean return
to the moral death of the pagan super
etition.
Paul applied the Christian Law of
others as your own.
The one who believed that to eat idol
consecrated meat was in any way rec
ignition of the idols, would surely do
wrong to show it any favor whatever.
He should not then taste it, or touch it,
or handle it. But furthermore, and es-
pecially, if Christian has any reason
able suspicion that his eating of this
meat, while it could do him no direct
personal harm, would be evil in the eyes
of others for whom Christ died. he will
refrain from this meat. To eat of it
would make him an offender against his
brother.
The Old Problem in New
Form.
-
personal indulgence which NAV, through
the power of example, work harm to a
brother man.
Some in these days say that such use
as they make of stimulants does them
no harm; on the contrary is to them
physical benefit.
Admit. for arguments sake, that this
is true. The admission. however, is
simply for the sake Of the argument.
This concession can be made, even in
argument. only with strong misgiving.
But admit that the use of stimulants
may with these persons incur no per-
sonal ill-effects; that there is no danger
from the sorcerous deceit Of the wine
cup; that there is no waste Of sanity or
we'll being in the fever induced by any
degree of alcoholic stimulation.
What then? Can the Christian in this
age consistently with his religion in
dulge himself in intoxicants?
No one can question that there are
thousands upon thousands who are
using intoxicants in excess. No one can
fail to see that homes are ruined be-
cause the husbands and fathers are
victims of the alcoholic habit. No one
can be doubtful of the fact that innu-
merable boys are beginning danger
GUS indulgence in drink.
This is a terrible fact: Every one
who says that his moderate use of wine
is positive good to himself, by it's use
makes himself one of the army of drink
ers; by his example he is helping every
one else. who drinks at all, to drink
more.
The drunkard who beats his wife and
in his mad delirium turns his family out
of doors on a winter night, iustifies his
drink habit by the example Of every So
called moderate drinker.
Let any moderate drinker test his per-
sonal influence by attempting to lead
the drunkard out of slavery. He will
find that his own use of intoxicants multi
fies his moral power.
As paganism in the early days of
Christianity was an all-pervading influ-
ence. a power in the air, 80 in our day
intemperance, the use of alcoholic stimu
lants as beverage. has become an all
besetting evil. Every Christian must.
in the nature of things, take his stand.
either for or against intemperance.
To be total abstainer from principle
is to take stand in the world for tenn
perance. 1t is to cast ones personal in
fiuence. whether much or little, in favor
of sobriety. 1t is to show every drinker.
by acts which speak more powerfully
than words, that alcoholic drink is not
only needless but ruinous. 1t is to be
an active ally of all who are working for
the redemption of ruined men from
their ruins. 1t is to serve Christ.
The Christian, therefore, whatever
he may privately think of the use he
might possibly make of alcoholic drink.
will make no selfish claim in his own be-
half. He will be total abstainer be-
cause he will scorn to make himself an
occasion of falling to the unwary young,
or an excuse to those who are now the
willing slaves of the drink-habit.
If meat, said Paul, maketh Day bro
ther to stumble. aoiH eat no flesh for
eUermore. that make not nay brother
TO stumble.
So the like minded Christian in these
days will say: If to drink endanger my
brother, will drink no alcohol while
my life remains. that may not be the
destroyer OF my brother.
TEACHING POINTS.