Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-11-06
CHRISTIAN ENDEAvoR.
ropie For the Week Beginning Wow.
10-Comment by Rev. 8. III. Doyle.

~ Opto inc Wttk mex NoNs
1o-Comment by Rev. $. III. Doyle.
ToPIc-ow national bondage.-Hab. i. 1917;
Amos vi, 1-o. Temperance meeting.S
Nations come into bondage unto sin
as well as individuals. Every nation
OF the past has had its besetting ma
fional sins, and so has every nation in
the world today. Sometimes the sin of
nations has been an insatiate desire for
glory In war, sometimes greed for ter
ritory and sometimes one of the vices
to which its people have most uniyer-
sally and readily yielded. One Of the
greatest of the national sins today In
lthe civilized nations of the world is the
sin of intemperance. Intemperance is
q national sin of France, Germany.
England and America. The drink traf-
fic is extended and protected by law.
Thousands in high places and in low
places are moderate or habitual indulg.
ers in intoxicating drinks. The great.
est woes of the people are the direct or
indirect result of the wide prevalence
of this gigantic evil. and yet the ma
tions seem powerless In its grasp. 1t is
national bondage indeed and, to our
shame, "our national bondage"
The forbearance of God toward ma
tons as toward individuals win some
time come to an end. How wonderful
ly patient God is-patient In the crea-
ton of the world, patient in it's pres
ervationi God is far more patient and
lforbearing with evil than man is.
Habakkuk's burden was a burden OF
complaint at Gods seeming slackness
and indifference toward the prevalence
and power of evil. but Gods forbear-
Iance cannot last forever. The purpose
of his forbearance is to arouse repent
ance, but If sin is not repented of and
abandoned it will be punished, even
the national sin of intemperance. The
curse of God has been pronounced
against intemperance. and it will be
executed. Woe to them that are at
ease In Zion and trust in the mountain
Eof Samaria, which are named chief Of
the nations, to whom the house of Is
rael came that drink wine in
bowls and anoint themselves with the
chief ointments. but they are not griev-
ed for the affection of Joseph"
Unless the national sin Of intern. r.
ance Is overcome it viii bring direful
punishment upon our land. We are
sowing wind, and no power can
prevent Ir reaping the whirlwind.
The future is great with opportunities.
1t Is also fraught with great dangers.
To take advantage of our opportunities
and to avoid our dangers physical,
mental and moral strength of the fin
est caliber is demanded of us; but
whence is 1t to come If we become a
nation of drunkards? It cannot come
under such conditions. The very life
and perpetuity of our nation depend
upon our breaking the bonds of intem-
lperance, which are fastening them
selves about US and In becoming free
from this national sin. May God help
us as Endeavorers to do our part both
in prayer and in service to bring about
such a desirable condition of affairs.
THE PRAYER MEETING.
Have a special temperance address
on the topic.
BIBLE HEADINGS.
Elk. Xxx, Is; Lev. <, s, 8; Judg. xiii.
LID; Prov. xiv, "a; Xxx, 1; xiii, 1892;
Ps. xxxiii, 1920; Math. xviii, Z; XVI,
al; Luke /. 1915; Gal. V, 1926.