The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-11-23

SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON FOR TOMORROW.
BY J. E. GIL BERT, IL D., Secretary American Society Religious Education

God or think He has overlooked their offenses (PsaIm X, ID. The prophets threatening is received with scorn, and he is met ,n tSn with , deSe f ,n Ger ooG 1s9 So | ?. So will 1t be In the latter times as | the final judgment approaches QI Pet. ill, go. They say contemptuously, Let God make speed and hasten His work" Verse 1sD and we will believe it when we see 1t. The allusion here is to that class of persons who have advanced from the counsel of the ungodly and the way of sinners to the seat, the permanent rest ing place of the scoffers (Psaim i, D. Woe unto these personsr' cries the prophet. "They will ultimately behold what now they challenge and be filled with consternation." Prov. i, 25-20.
 Perversity.-The course of sin is ever downward When one takes his place with scoffers he infiiets damage upon all his powers, intellectual as well as moral. A persistent opposition to right impairs the judgment and dethrones the reason. (Matt. vi, 2S). He is soon unable to dis criminate between right and wrong The very things which ought to be loathed and summed being long defended, are at last esteemed to be good and those things which are praiseworthy and of good report, which ought to be most ea- gerly sought, are pronounced evil (Prov xvii, 15). He learns to contradict the common testimony of mankind, gained by centuries of experience and even hushes the voice of conscience to reverse the very order and beauty of the moral world (Mal fl, ID. The light and the sweetness that have gladdened many hearts in all ages are held up to be but darkness and bitterness, and all those horrid things that have caused pain and | unrest, dreaded by every well-balanced | soul, are now put forth as bright objects | of worthy pursuit tMal. iii 15). "Woe | unto such men!" cries Isaiah.
 | Conceit.-Such perversity cultivates con- ceit. The man who transposes good and | evil has about him those of contrary opinion, who approve what he condemns and condemn what he approves, who la Dor for measures to which he is opposed. | A long and bitter conflict is inevitable, l extending into all the relations of life These antagonisms diminish the respect for the views and wishes of others, and l ions (Job. xi. 12). Ultimately the man will become wise in his own eyes Prov. Ill, D. deeming himself prudent, and !RSss %oe who a0to disT sm from m fSosh fsasS In his self-conceit, he becommes isolat- ed and loses that stimulus to larger re- search and better living which comes through contact of mind with mind and heart with heart CRom. 1, 22. Turned in upon himself, deeming others inferior to himself, measuring all things by his own l distorted standards, not even admitting the wisdom that comes from God, he shrlvels and Wtthers, and sinks, and dies | John iX, 4).
 Bribery.-Now put such a man in some place of duty, make a public officer of him. and see what he will do. His value to the world may be determined in that way, for the ability to serve is the meas | ure of every man Matt. XIV, 36). What | may be expected from scoffer at God, | one who is perverse concerning right and wrong and one who is conceited? He 1 will justify the wicked (Ex. xxiii 6-9 | excuse them and let them go unpunish- ed. He will rob the righteous of their due, and condemn them (Prov. xvii, 15) Thus he will turn the course of justice | wrong side out and upside down, plung- Ing society into confusion and bewilder- for his own sake. being moved thereto by bribes (Micah iii. ID, selling out the innocent and their cause for money tc
 enrich himself IDeut. xvi, 19. Behold
 sea of political and business life, seizine
 their prey and satisfying their greco by feeding on the property, happiness
 and lives of men, women and children
 Such is the sinner in his lowest state
 the faithful servant of the king of dark ness (Pet. V, 8.
 Conclusion.-Our lesson began with tn
 drunkard's habit and sin. showing the in
 jury wrought in him and by him. It thel
 conducted us out into the larger realm o
 divine judgment and of human depravity
 The progress of the latter IS exhibited il
 masterly way, from stage to stage tn,
 descent is made until the soul, defyini
 God. perverted in it's moral sense full O.
 conceit. becomes an agent of evil. blight
 ing and destroying all that it touches
 Isaiah's portrayal is true to life Il
 suits our time as we'll as his. Over ant over again we have all seen reproduced among us that which he holds up to ouI
 view. Down through the centuries comes the warning voice, repeating in every in-
 creasing emphasis the miseries tha
 shall befall the sinner and through him
 come upon humanity. And, what is es
 pecially to be noted, our lesson shows that strong drink is present, if not the
 cause, then the attendant, in all th'
 forms of evil How long, O God, shal
 curse?