The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-06-16
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR.
Topic For tkc Week Beginning June
1S-COm'acnt by Rev. =. II. Doyle

!
1S-Comncnt by Rev. $. II. Doyle.
| TopIC.-Intcmpcratc pleasures IL Tim ill,
/ Ia. "a temperance mcctmg.)
Love of pleasure and excessive and
intemperate indulgence in pleasure are
among the greatest enemies of religion
today. The age is demanding more and
more amusement and entertainment,
and surrender to this spirit of the age
coon leads to dissipation. and dissipa-
ton soon deprves enc of all interest in
moral and spiritual Improvement.
How far Christians can indulge in
worldly pleasures is therefore Il most
vital question. The Scriptural creed is
''usc the world, but not abuse it," But
another question. -.rtfsps, " hCn does the
usc OF the world become the abuse of it {?
Where can we lay down the line and
say, THUS far is usc-beyond is abuse;
thus far is tcmpcrance-bcy is in
temperance" This question must he
answered by every individual for him
self. What is temperance for one may
bo intempcrance for another. What is
Legitimate for one may ne abuse by
another Nc religious society, no church
court. can decide this question. 1t can
only be decided by the individual con.
science, enlightened by the word of
God, but no Christian can decide it
without taking into consideration the
effect of his decision upon others. Meat
consecrated to idols may not harm US,
but II meat makcth our brethren to Of
fond we should eat 10 meat while the
world standeth.
While it is true that each one must
decide for himself as to how far he can
indulge in pleasure, yet it is also true
that certain general principles are found
in Gods word that apply to all Paul
lays down, some Of these, in writing
to Timothy, suggesting under what cir
cumstances pleasures are intcmperate.
|. Pleasures are incorporate when
they lead to actual tTnnSgrcssi0n of the
law of God Love of pleasure may lead
to the immoralitics suggested by Paul
seifishness. covCtouSncss. pride, blas-
phcmy, disohedicnce to parents. nm
unhuliness. etc When
love of pleasure leads to any of these
things, directly forbidden by the neral
law of GCG then there can bc no uues-
ton but that we are abusing pleasure.
. '>"'"'S tiitt 'NpNo W Slh ID
ate pleasure.
,. Pleasures are intempcratc when
they usurp iii the heart and life atfec-
tons and duties OF greater Importance
When our love Of pleasure is greater
than our love OF God, when indulgence
IN pleasure leads to neglect OF religious
and other duties of grave importance.
then our pleasures are intcmperatc
.. Pleasures are Incorporate when
they lead others 10 sin. They who to
satiate their appetites for pleasure lead
others, who are though.lcss, silly and
easily led asfray into sin. arc most in
tcmpcrately indulging in pleasures. are
Il crime for which God will
bring them into an awful Judgment
Let us strive to use pleasure, never to
abuse 1T, and let us seek our highest
Joys and pleasures in our religion
~. H. GiG.2SnrSS Il. SInsaSGiu,m'feiig
will satisfy and not surfrit.
Bible Readings -PS. xvi Sill Eccl.
il, Ill; Isa lviii, Il, II; Rom. xiii,
l2-14; Cor. iii, 1G, II; Gal V. 1926:
lIph. V, 1924; l Tim. V. 6; Titus ill.,
II; Heb. ri, 24-26; JAS. V, II; ]
Pet. iv, 1-G; III Pet. ii, Ola; John ii,
l5-l7;v 4, 5.