The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1903-11-18
! The SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lesson Comments for
November n
Subject: The Curse Of Strong Drink Prov *. I;
kill, 1921, 7o-3S-G Golden Text, Prov. xx
l-Memory Verses, KILL, 7o. 31-
Commentary on the Days Lesson.

20, 2l). l. "a mocker" Rather, scorn
er. The thing is personified in its victim,
The scorners appear as class. OF DEFIANT
free thinkers in contrast to the wise.
contemptuous disregard for God and map
prov. 81: 24). 1t is impossible to reform
them, for they hate reproof and will moi
seek instruction Q3: /; Is: l2l. II they
seek for wisdom they will not find it "a;
81. 1t is folly to argue with them %: q, 81,
from society .(22: lO). Divine judgment,
ere in store for them, and their fate is
warning to the S simple simple ls S0 rs Is.d de-
1t is the height of folly for man to de
20, 81. "Winebibbers. Much of this
chapter is spent in giving directions con
cerning eating, drinking and entertain'
ments in general. The reasons for givini
these directions were. !. The danger o.
contracting irregular habits and of being
induced to lead voluptuous and effemin'
ate life. 2. The danger from bad company
8. The waste of money and time. "Glut
tonous eaters" Eating more than is neces
sary; ".Drowsinesss.", Which comes as
result OF excess and gluttony. with rags"
Such course will not only bring poverty
and rags, which it is sure to do, but wiz
unfit a person for work, so that h, cannot
bic Of providing for himself and for those
who may be dependent upon him.
III. Strong drink destroys happiness Tvs
20, 30). 20. "Who" A divine commission
to every man to investigate the. prevailing
cause of woe and strife and thus be de-
life. Robinson calls this lesson the drunk
ards looking glass, set before those whose
face is toward the drunkard's habits. Sc
that they may see what they will be If they
go on. Hath Woe" What space would b0
needed to, record the names, of all who
''Who hath sorrow" The Hebrew means,
first, poverty then misery, The drnnkard
has sorrow of his own making. The cup
contains more than one woe; sing,e sor'
row is not all. These are so numerous as
to call forth constant and long continued
Those who responded to the first two
questions will also respond to this. Nine
tenths of all the brawls and fights, quar-.
rels and misunderstanding are traceabe
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
stratiops, which are common in different
stages of drunkenness. wounds without
cause" Wounds received in wholly un-
profitable disputes such as come of the
brawls of drunken men,, Drinkers are es'
pecally exposed to accidents and diseases
which temperance would have prevented.
"Redness Of eyes" B,oodshot, blurred or
b,eared eyes. The traveller in the drunk.
ards broad road to death bears a great
bundle of woes. Among them are losses OF
time, of ta.ent. of purity. of clean con.
science, of self.respect, of honor, OF relig-
ion. OF the soul.
30. "They that tarry 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
night. "They that 60" To places or
among people where Intoxicating drinks
are made or stored or used. mixed wine"
| 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 costly death.
III. Strong drink ruins character Tvs.
3l-3=). 81. "Look not" This prohibits
moderate drinking. Do not put yourself in
into temptation is already more than hall
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'drnker looks with pleas,
ure. "When it goeth down smoothly.
| This verse pictures the attractive side OF
wine, when it seems perfectly harmless to
sip n 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.
80. "At last it biteth." The pleasure
will be attended at last with into,erable
pains, when it works like so much Doson
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 sparkles 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.
s3. eyes shall behold" The loving
wife will be forgotten and her goodness de-
spised, and evil 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 p!eadngs 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 is
| perverse things" When men or women
indulge in the use Of strong drink they let
| down the bars to every sin that follows in
81 I'm the midst of the sea-" To make
ones bed on the waves OF the sea would be
10 De sNlliOWeu up IN uedtH. 90 Is the
drunken man. Or as pilot who has gone
to sleep when his ship was in the troughs
OF the sea. allowing the tAler to slip out
OF his hand, and bis 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 he must either
fall down upon the deck and be dashed in
pieces, or fall into the sea aud be drowned,
35. ~ 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 be cares not
for the scars. 81 felt it not" Angry COM
nanions have done their worst to end my
| life, saws he, but their blows did not affect
me. when shall I awake. I will seek i
again" Rather, when shall awake will
seek it again. Self-control is all gone. The
| hrunkard is a Save to appetite. He is as
| ipsensible to the pleadings and warnings
of those who seek his salvation as he is ts
| the beatings OF his comrades when he is de
Erialia-