The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-11-22

tary followers Of that which IL good He
would deposit the truths of religion In
the mind, gain the affections and bring
the will into conformity. But this
method had failed. The people continued
as they were-their mistakes were not
rectified their hearts were not renewed,
their lives were not reformed. They de-
splsed their teachers, and even mocked
them. Remembering the law concerning
the instruction of children tDeut., WE'D,
they required with contempt If the pub
lie teachers of religion proposed to treat
men as little ones and give them line
upon line, precept upon precept The orr
ginal of the ninth verse indicates that 1t
was common to take up the very Ian
guage of a prophet and repeat II after
him with ridicule.
OBSTINACY.--Cvers II and 12) The
nation would not hearken. 1t obstinately
refused the message of the men sent
from God. preferrng the indulgences Of
the carna life to the ways of holiness.
The security offered against enemies. the
way of peace and JOY portrayed by many
inspired men, was utterly disregarded.
Sensual delights were eagerly sought as
alone desirable. And SO, as the mouth
piece of God, the prophet declares that
another kind of instruction should be
impaired. II would be stammering lips
lessons which should be given by for
eigners whose language would not be
understood. When the nation was car
ried into captivity under the adversities
and Affections to be meted out to them,
lessons would be learned to which thus
far deaf ears had been turned. In the
school of oppression they would receive
what they might have acquired In their
own land--wisdom to live rightly and to
serve and honor God.
PRIVILEGE. Verse 12.) The long-suf-
fering God continues his gracious efforts
for men. even though they obstinately
turn away from him. However little the
teaching Is regarded. 1t continues to be
offered. "precept upon precept,' repeti-
tions of Divine truths, day after day and
year after year-this is the privilege OF
all men. whether they will hear or for
bear. They who go to ruin can never ac-
cuse God of neglect. The path of life is
made very plain. as that no one need be
ignorant of 1t. and entreaties to enter 1t
are so cordial and constant that there Is
always a strong motive that ought to be
operative. But-what makes the case ex-
ceedingly interesting-they who sin under
such circumstances do so against great
light and merit all the more the con-
demnation ineted out to them. 1t was so
with Israel. 1t is so with all men In all
history. Privileges create obligations,
ana tneSe neglected. IlledSutt tiic puiiSi-
ment that Is due.
CONCLTSTON.-This passage may be
properly used, as was intended by the in
ternational committee. in the interest Of
temperance, in either or both of two
ways. 1t may be shown that the drink
habit had led to national degenracy,
causing men to reject the truth and eX-
posing them to all the peris of foreign
war. Or it may be shown that the drink
habit is only one of the proofs of SELL
suality, contracted as a people decline
from God. fastening afterward to decay
and destruction, n mark in the down.
ward movement from righteousness to
sim In the first case. it becomes the
cause of innumerable misfortunes, and in
the other it is the consequence OF a
long train OF spiritual irregularities and
defects But in either way of handling
the subject. the Cry of Isaiah, Woe to
the drunkard." ought to be needed by
men everywhere. Strong drink Is rag
ing and whose is deceived thereby is not
wise