Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-09-18
oHRI>TIAN ENDEAvoR



eopic For the Week beginning Sept.
22-Ccmment by Rev. $. II. Doyle.
: ToP7c.-The saloon power doosned.--Ps. xxxvii,
bla "a temperance meeting)
-SAs we behold the greatness and ex-
tent of the saloon power in the world
today there is little, from a human
standpoint, that betokens its doom. Its
power was never greater or its sway
more extensive. 1t makes itself felt In
legislative bodies, in political conven-
lions, In popular elections and is a
powerful factor in municipal govern
ments. The saloon seems TO have reach
ed the zenith of its power. There is
not cloud in it's sky so much as the
size of mans hand, and yet it may
be that this is only the forerunner of
fits doom. Stranger things have hap
pened in the providence of God. The
power of sin has often been exalted
the highest just before its doom. Slav-
cry was never more powerful and
bi'azen than when God wrote the word
doomed" upon it, May it be so with
the saloonl
The character of God is assurance
that the saloon is doomed. Though the
doom of this gigantic evil seems so I'M
likely, yet Gsd's people are not to de-
spair. "God moves in a mysterious
way" but He moves, and when He
moves against the saloon it will tumble
and fall as readily rs a house of cards.
The character of God is such that He
cannot endure evil. He cannot be
pleased with the wicked. His patience
is Unreasonable, His ways are past
finding out, but there is an end to His
forbearance, and when it comes doom
comes upon the object of His wrath.
We fret and worry because God does
not act in our time or way, but we
should trust God and leave it to Him
to vindicate His character.
The teaching of the Scriptures is an
assurance that the saloon power Is
doomed. The Bible clearly teaches
that the powers of evil shall be over
come. Evil seems to US to have I'M
bounded sway. We worry because OF
its growth, its power and seeming per-
manence But the Bible says, Fret
not myself because of evildoers, nell
Their be thou envious against the work
ers of iniquity, for they shall soon be
cut down like the grass and wither as
the green herb This is the teaching
of Gods word throughout. The pow
ers of evil may mock and cry out.
Where is the sign of His eoming|
but they forget that with the Lord
day is as a thousand years and thou
sand years as day. The day of the
Lord will surely come. and all evil
shall be destroyed.
The history of the world Is also an
assurance that the saloon power is
doomed. Other gigantic, seemingly all
powerful, evils have existed and yet
have been destroyed. Persecution Of
the Christian church endured for GEN.
turtles, but has passed away. Slavery
seemed to be impregnably intrenched
IN the life of our nation, but it has been
crushed out, never to rise again. Muir
der by duellng was once extensively
practiced and sanctioned, but has al
most disappeared from the face of the
earth. So why should we despair? In
the hour when we think not Gods walls
OF wrath viii be poured out upon this
greatest evil of the age, and it will be
doomed. Meanwhile let us be faithful
in doing our best to lessen its evil eff
fects and to hasten the day when its
doom shall be sealed.
THE PRAYER MEETING.
Have temperance address upon the
subject, 'The Saloon
BIBLE READINGS.
Elk. Xxx, IS: Lev. X, s, 0; Mum. vi. la;
Prov. Xxx, /, xiii. 1922; Hab. ii, 1-15;
Math. xviii, {; Cor. iii, IS. II; vi, 10;
Gal. V. 1929.