The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-10
Amos vi, 1-1S.

was a pastlme Of kings, when national
destiny was believed to be under the
protection of heaven, this illusion of
the prophet would be appreciated.
PROCRASTINATIO was
one way, however, by which the people
of Samaria might break the force of
the prophets words. Acknowledging
the danger they might imagine IL to be
far distant, not likely to come in that
generation and, hence, not concerning
them. Matt. NXiv, 49, And that was
not surprising. Looking westward ov-
cr the plain of Sharon, even to the
Mediterranean, and eastward over the
fertile vale to the Jordan, they saw
no enemy apprOaching-beauty and
peace and bounty met the eye on every
hand. 1t was Impossible to excite their
fear by sketches of possibilities that
appealed only to the imagination. And
SO, dismissing all thought of evil that
might come to them, they supposed
there was no necessity for repentance
and reformation, jEccl. viii, III but
they called for the seat of Violence"
that is, they openly committed iniquity
and oppression under color of justice
and law. (Ncrse 80 In this way they
exhibited the spirit of procrastination
common to men. q Thes. V, 3.
Indifference to sin and
its consequence generally leads to
personal indulgence and qualification
of the sensual nature. As the soul,
with it's God-like attributes, slumbers
the body awakes and makes imperious
demand. Indeed, as righteousness re-
quires the subjection of the body. q
Cor. IN. 27O iniquity gives license to
the appettes and put the physical
part IN control over the spiritual.
QIom. viii, 81 The prophet therefore
proceeds to show the natural outcome
of the sin of Samaria. tVerses 4 and
81 They gave themselves up to all
manner of luxurious living. There beds
We're richly ornamented with ivory.
While eating they reclined upon mag
niIcent couches. They selected the
best lambs and calves for their meals
They regaled themselves with songs,
and invented instruments of music
| for their carnal pleasure, as David had
done for the sanctuary, thus pervert-
| ing the sacred things to the most un-
holy and base ends, initiating the pos
| terity of Cain. Gen. iv, 21.)
| IEBAUCHERY.-T course Of sir
| is always downward. The unholy ma,
is on an inclined plane. and, by the law
| Of spiritual graVitatiOn, he sinks for
| ever into grOsser forms of evil. Hav
| ing turned away from God to WORSHIP
! Baal, having stitled their ConsCience
and hardened their hearts, havins
| fancied themselves secure and pros
| porous because of their natural de
| fenses and possessions, and havin,
! turned to the cnjoymcnts of physica
comfort Luke, Xii:l0 the Samaritan
| easily descended to lives of debauch
| cry and Indifference (Ncree 6D. Stron,
| drink, supposed 10 have been hcytowo,
| by BaCChuS for the purpose of prOduc
| ing eNhilaratiOn of spirit, was employe,
to produce those abnormal states q
| the body in which one fOrGets ever,
| earthly anxiety and discomfort Tn
| wine bowl became common at Samarl
tan feasts, especially among the rulini
| classes, as in the halls of the heathc,
| monarchs tDan., V:D. The sOhriet
! enjOincd uDOn Israel prov. xiii: %
! 800 gave place to drunkenness, and a
! a consequence, they disrcgardcd tn