Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-11-19
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments for
November n
Subject: The Curse OF StrODc Drink Prov Xxx. j;
xiii, 2O,zi, 29.35-Gold.I Text, Prov. Xxx.
Memory Verses, kill, ~, 81
Commentary on the Days Lesson.

I. Strong drink causes poverty Tvs. ],
err. The thing is personifed in Its victim:
The scorners appear as a class OF dehantC
free thinkers in contrast to the wise.
They are proud, selfsufficient, and have
contemptuous disregard for God and man
prov. 81: 2Q. 1t is impossible to reform
them, for they hate reprOof and VIII not
seek instruction rs: /; Is: l2l. If they
seek for wisdom they will not find it "a;
o., It is folly to argue with them %: T., -.
they are generally detested GA: 81, and IN
the interests of peace must be banlshed
from society 90: 10Y. Divine judgments
are in store for them, and their late Is
c warning to the sR Reeeet e. vs.
It is the height of folly for a man to de-
grade himself by using strong drink. 49,.
20, 81. "Winebibbers." Much OF this
chapter is spent in giving directions con-
corning eating, drinking and entertain
ments in general. The reasons for giving
these directions were. !. The danger or
contracting irregular. habits and OF being
induced to lead voluptuous and effemn'
ate life. 2. The danger from bad company.
3. The waste of money and time. tiut-
tonous eaters" Eating more than is neces'
sary. "Drowsiness." Which comes as Z,
result of excess and gluttony. with rags
Such course will not only bring poverty
and rags, which it is sure to DO; but VIII
unfit person for work, so that he cannot
be trusted and he will be no longer capa,
BILE of providing for himself and for those
who may be dependent uDon him.
III. Strong drink DESTROYS. happiness Tvs.
%, 3O). 30. "Who" A divine commission
to every man to investigate the prevallng
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
that they may see what they will be II they
90 on. Hath woe" What space would he
needed to record the names OF all who
could truthfully say az, to this question!
"Who hath sorrow" The Hebrew means:
first, poverty then misery. The drunkard
has sorrow Of his own making. lhe cup
contains more than one woe; a single sor-
row is not all. These are 50 numerous as
cry Of anguish" who hath contentious
Those who responded to the first tw"
questions will also respond to this. Nnc'
tcnths of all the brawls and fights, quar-
rels and misunderstanding are traceable
to drink. "Who hath babbiIG." This re-
fers to the tendency Of strong drink TO
foolish and incessant talking, revealing Sc
cfets. vile conversation and noisy demon.
stages of drunkenness. W. undS without
cause" Wounds received in wholly I'M
profitable disputes. such as come OF the
brawls of drunken men. Drinkers are es-
pecially exposed to accidents and diseases
which temperance would have prevented.
"Redness of eyes" Bloodshot, blurred or
bleared eyes. The traveller IN the drunk
ards broad road to death bears sreafs
bundle of woes. Among them are losses Oh
time, of talent, OF purity, OF "A clean con-
science, of sclfrespcct, OF honor, OF rehs'
ION. of the soul.
30. They that larry long" This an
swers the above questions. lie who begins
to drink continues to drink. tarrying often
a whole night, and from that to day ana
night. They that 60 10 places or
among people where intoxicating drinks,
are made or stored or used. "Mixcd VINE
Spiced drugged, medicated Wine the, IN.
toxicating power of which is increased by
the infusion of drugs and spices. such
men drink the cup OF a costly death.
III. Strong drink ruins character ,ys.
3l.35). 81. "Look not This prohibits
moderate drinking DO not put yourself IN
the way of temptation. He who goes freely
into temptation il already more than half
fallen. when it is red The. bright
color OF the wine gives it an attractive LOOK
and adds to its fascination and Its danger.
Its color" Literally, its eye. the clear
brightness, or the beaded bubbles, on
which the wine.drinkcr looks with pleas,
ure. ''When it goeth down smoothly.
This verse pictures the attractive SIDE or
wine. when it seems perfectly harmless 10
sip little, when it is bright and inspiring.
thrilling the nerves with delight, promising
all JOY and freedom. 1t is the shining side
of evil that is so dangerous:
30. AT last it bteth.' The p easurc
will bo attended at last with nto.erahr
pains. when it works like so much nolS"n
in thy veins and casts thee into diseases
as hard to cure as the biting OF serpent
Its effects are opposite to ITS pleasures Its
only beauty Is when it spariles III the cup
II can only harm the one who ventures To
pnioy it. pleasure Then 1t bites; sends it'
poison beyond YOUR reach. ltS only end
and purpose is ruin, Its sting Is the sting
Of death,
81. Eyes shall behold" The loving
wife will he forgotten and her goodness dr-
spiscd. and evil desires spring up to till her
place with others. or to 30 from her with
Others who have fallen into the same pi.l, OF
drunkenness. Homes are broken up. The
tears and pcadnps of the devoted wife are
spurned. and the dance hall is sought
where women are dressed to suit the eyes
OF wicked men, where natural affection l"
overthrown and cruel lust rules. liter
perversc things When men or women
hluuiHt III tHc use vi Hll'llG Ii'IiN tllN' -
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 II pilot who has gone
to sleep when his ship was i'll the troughi
OF the sea, allowing the tiller to slip out
OF his hand. and his ship to be swamprd
with the waves which he might have out,
ridden. "Top of mast The drunkard
is utterly regardless OF lie. He is az one
falling asleep. clasping the masthead.
whence in few minutes he must either
fall down upon the deck and be dashed in
pieces. or fall into the sea and be drowned.
3d. 81 was not hurt" With consciences
scared and self-respect 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 sears. II felt it not" Angry COM
panions have done their worst to end my
life, says he, but their blows did not affect
me. "When shall awake? 1 will seek it
again" Rather, when shall awake | Will
seek it again. Self-control is all gone. The
drunkard is a slave to appetite: He IL as
insensible to the pleadings and warnings
be those who seek his salvation as he is to
lhe beatings Of his comrades when he is de-
irious.