Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-11-21
The SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments fer
November u
Subjec:: The Curse of Strung Drink Prov Xxx. !:
xiii, 2O,2l, z9.35-Golden Text, Prov. XXX
l-Memory Verses, kill, 70, g.
Commentary on the Days Lesson.


Commentary on the Days Lesson.
7. Strong drink causes poverty Tvs. I,
20, 2l). l. ga mocker.' Rather, scorn-
er. The thing is personified in its victim.
The scorners appear as class OF denanI
free thinkers in contrast to the "wise."
contemptuous disregard for God and man
prov. 81: 24). 1t is impossible to reform
them, for they hate reproof and will not
seek instruction Q3: l; Is: l2l. If they
seek for wisdom they will not find it "a:
g.. 1t il. folly to argue with them %: T., 81.
from society (22: 10Y. Divine judgments
ere in store for them, and their fate is a
eeiv ss "ReeIeth.' 'Not wise"
It is the height of folly for a; man to de-
grade himself by using strong drink. -.
chatter is spent IN giving Directions e con.
corning eating, drinking and entertain
ments il general. The reasons for giving
these directions were, l. The danger OF
contracting irregular habits and of being
induced to lead a voluptuous and effemin-
ate life. 2. The danger from bad company.
tonous eaters Eating more than is neces'
result OF excess and gluttony. ''Nith rags"
Such a course will not only bring poverty
and rags, which it is sure to do, but will
unfit a person for work. SO that he cannot
bic of providing for himself and for those
who may be dependent uDon him.
Ii. Strong drink destroys happiness Tvs.
%, 3O) 90. "Who." A divine commission
to every man to investigate the, prevailing
cause Of woe and strife, and thus be de-
tered from taking the wrong course in
life: Robinson, calls this lesson the drunk
ards looking glass, set before those whose
face is toward the drunEard's habits. so
that they may see what they will be if they
so on. Hath Woe" What space would be
needed to record the names of all who
could truthfully say "I'' to this question!
.:Who hath sorrow" The Hebrew means;
has sorrow Of his own making. 1.-The cup
contains more than one woe; single sor-
row is not all. These are so numerous as
to call forth a constant and long continued
cry of anguish" ''Who hath contentious"
Those who responded to the first two
tenths of all the brawls and fights, quar-
rels and Misunderstanding are traceable
to drink. "Who hath babbling." This re-
ferS to the tendency Of strong drink to
foolish and incessant talking, revealing Sc
crets. vile conversation and noisy demon
strations.. which are common in different
cause" Wounds received in wholly UNI
profitable disputes, such as come OF the
brawls of drunken men. Drinkers are es-
pec:ally exposed to accidents and diseases
which temperance would have prevented.
"Redncss of eyes" Boodshot, blurred OF
bicared eyes. The traveller in the drunk
bundle of woes. Among them are losses OF
time. of talent. of purity. of a clean con-
science. of seif-respect, OF honor, of rellg-
ion. of the soul.
so. "They that tar1y long" This an
swers the above questions. He who begins
to drink continues to drink. tarrying often
a whole night, and from. that to day and
among people where Intoxicating, drinks
arc made or stored or used ''NIixed wine."
Spiced. drugged, medcated wine, the in
toxicat;ng power of which is increased by
the infusion OF drugs and spices. Such
men drink the cup of a costly death.
sl-s5). 81: Look not" This prohibits
moderate drinking. DO not put yourself in
the way of temptation. He who goes freely
into temptation is already, more than half
fallen. when it is red" The. bright
co.or of the wine gives it an attractive look
Its color" Literally, its eye, the clear
brightness, or the beaded bubbles. on
which the Wine drinker looks with pleas
ure. ''When it goeth down smoothly"
This verse pictures the attractive side of
wine, when it seems perfectly harmless to
sip little when it is bright and inspiring,
thrilling the nerves with delight. promising
all jov and freedom. 1t is the shining side
of evil that is so dangerous.
3. cat last it biteth." The pleasure
will he attended at last with intoleraable
pains. when it works like so much noison
in thy veins and casts thee into diseases
as hard to cure as the biting of Il serpent.
only beauty is when it sparllles in the cup.
1t can only harm the one who ventures to
enjoy its pleasure Then it bites; sends its
poison beyond your reach. Its only end
and purpose is ruin. Its sting is the sting
Of death.
wife, will be forgotten and her goodness de-
snised, and evi! desires spring up to fill her
Place with others. or to go from her with
Others who have fallen into the same pit of
drunkenness. Homes are broken up: The
tears and pleadings of the devoted wife are
spurred. and the dance hall is sought,
where women are dressed to suit the eyes
overthrow and cruel lust rules. Utter
nerverse things" When men or women
indulge in the use of strong drink they let
down the bars to every sin that follows in
the train.
81 ''In the midst Of the sea-" To make
ones bed on the waves Of the sea would be
to be swallowed up in death. So is the
drunken man. Or as a pilot who has gone
to sleep when his ship was in the troughs
Of the sea-, allowing the tiller, to slip out
of his hand, and his ship to be swamped
with the waves which he might have out.
ridden. "Top of mast" The drunkard
is utterly regardless of life. He is as one
falling asleep. c,asping the masthead,
whence in few minutes be must either
fall down unon the deck and be dashed in
pieces, or fall into the sea and be drowned.
35. ''I was not hurt" With conscences
scared and selfrrespect gone the drunkard
boasts of the things which should make
him blush with shame. Because he did not
feel the hurt Of his wounds. he cares not
for the scars. II felt it not" Angry COM
nanions have done their worst to end my
life, says he, but their blows did not affect
me. when shall I awake? I will seek it
again" Rather, when shall awake I will
seek it again. Self-control is all gone. The
d:ruhkaar,d is slave to appetite; He is as
Of those who seek his salvation as he is to