The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-09-21
' 4 4 < 4 < 4 4 < Y < ' TEMPERANCE LESSON
 <s, tProv. xxiii: 29-35.) t x H 1l A "A

@l* | <s&t 4 { < 4 4 4 ~ 4 . Introduction--A king of Israel, said to
 have been the wisest Of men. Matt. vii,
 R RgpGpssd as hs three tsaeasg tSousad m tSea Seas:
 he will instruct the fifteen millions Of
 children and youth who assemble in Christian Sunday schools. The lesson iJ theme ef po ts snG wes minister's d pian
 thropfsts. reformers and legisiators have bestowed their best thought. How strange that vice and sin should so per- petually claim their victims! After all the centuries those deluded by strong drink are as numerous as they were in the early ages. 1t appears that in Solo
 mons time all was understood concern seems to have had in mind the very things now common among us, and he sought as good people now do to turn men from their cups. Win not the warnings of the centuries be heard and needed? Or, will they be despised:
 Effects-(verse 29) First Is presented the awful picture of evils resulting to the individual who uses intoxicating liquors. the better to call attention to the series of niisfortunase themselves, under six heads. Woe, calamity coming upon a person by untoward circumstances and from within through the consideration of ones unhappy lot: contentious, striv- ings with others of various kinds, such as fighting and disputins; babbiing, con fused and incoherent speech. as when the tongue is not under control; wounds, whether of body or mind. physical and spiritual hurts or injuries; redncss of eyes, unframed balls or lids uncom1ortable to the person and disagreeaL.e to others kind of summary of things which all would gladly escape. Who has all these together? Who draws them upon him. @ them With m hm dsy bS day as possession? The question was intended to provoke reflection.
 Cause-( Verse 30) These effects all pro- ceed from one and the same cause. They bad fountain. Solomon follows up the course of each and finds the source and points 1t out to answer his own qIes- drinkers. and excessive drinkers at that. They are not satisfied with a single appetite. (Eph; v. 10 The convivial much the same. Because of pleasurable sensations much time was passed in social converse and indulgence. What at first satisfied became afterward un- palatabie. To increase the enjoyment the wines were mixed and drugged, and the dovotees sought these eagerly to main tain the pleasures of the hour. (Psaim lxxv,. B.. Thus frequently an interchange or friendly greeting, comparatively harm less, was turned Into prolonged de- bauch, bringing the consequences above named. Here then is royal exposure of drunkenness, the chief vice of oriental courts and of high life everywhere and always.
 Advice.-(verse s1.)-How may these ruinous results be avoided? That vex- atious question has divided the people of our time into numerous parties. There are those who would prohibit the man. ufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages holding that 1t is the duty of society to protect the individual. Others would regulate the tiafic, giving authority only to reputable people to conduct the busi- ness after prescribed rules, claiming that prohibition Is impossible and an inf.inge- ment upon personal rights. Some plead for the moderate use of intoxicants and say that every man must Judge for him self. Listen to Solomon, who, without determining the duty of society calls every person to stand firmly in support of his own best interest on the basis of total abstinence. Lock not upon the wine" when 1t has become intoxicating. So Is the meaning 6f the advice here given, and this acCofds with the con1- bined judgment of the best people who now labor in temper ance reforms.
 Poison. n.-tVerse 32 )-Why such extreme teaching? Why total abstinence? Solo, mon might have argued against model- ate drinking as many now do by show irig that 1t Is the way to excess, All drunkaTds were once moderate drinkers. and all moderate drinkers are liable to