Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-11-24
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR NOVEMBER IT,.
Worlds Temperance Lesson. Isa. xviii,
1-13-Golden Text, lisa. xviii, T.
Memory Verses, 3, documentary on
tho Days Lesson.

Worlds Temperance Lesson, lisa. xviii,
1-13-Golden Text, lisa. xviii, y
Memory Verses, 3, 4-COmmentary on
tho Days Lesson.
1ntroduction.-This prophecy, like nearly
all of Isaiah's prophecies was probably de-
livered in Jerusalem. But while spoken to
the people of Judah it dealt largely with
the neighboring kingdom of Israel and the
caamites about to come upon that nation.
The people had forgotten the claims of ,je-
hovah and had forsaken His worship. The
nation had plunged headlong into sin OF
every description and especially into the
sin of mtempcrance, until the land was
filled with drunkards.
Commentary.-I. The crown that fad.
eth Tvs. LAY. l. "Woe." Grief, sorrow,
misery, heavy calamity, curse. ''ro the
crown of pride" BY the crown of pride
the prophet refers to Samaria, the beauti.
full capital of Israel The city was situated
on the top of round hill and surrounded
by a rich valley. 'The drunkards of
Ephraim." Ephraim, the leading tribe of
the nation, had become debased in vice
They were a tribe of drlmkards. and be-
fading flower A very forcblc figure
Their beauty and glory would fade as q
flower. They did not have the riches and
beauty that endure. "The fat valleys
The valleys around Samaria were very fer
tile and beautiful. Overcome with wine.'
Wine causes men to fall an easy pttlm to
temptation. Alcohol destroys the will pow
er. The drunkard has bad character ana
generally enters recklessly into the viest
sins. What is overcome? ]. Reason. In.
temperance makes fools Of men. =. Con
science. The moral sense becomes dead
cned 3. Physical powers. The drunllard
INDUCES in that which entirely units hm
to meet the obligations that are resting
upon him. He incapactates himself for
any position of trust. The penalty is lost
manhood social degradation, an impover.
ished and a desolate home and eternal ban
ishment from God.
9. "The Lord hath a--strong one" This
is reference to the army of Assyrians,
which was soon to come upon them like a
devastating storm. The destruction wouI0
be complete, like terrific hailstorm or
great flood. 1t is almost impossible for US
to realize the devastation that would
come as the half savage hodes swept over
the country ravagng villages and MUIR
dering women and children.
3. "Troddcn under foot Shalmaneser,
with the Assyrian host, invaded, over.
came and carried the people away, never
to return 1t is an msolved problem to
this day where the ten tribes are: whether
they continue to exist or are entirely eN.
tinct. All of this was because of sin, and
especially the sin of drunkenness.
/. "As the first ripe fig Or. W As
the first ripe fruit was eagerly seized by
the fruit gatherer and hastily eaten, SO
Samaria would be a delicious morSel for
the Assyrlans. The image expresses in the
strongest manner the great ease with
which the invaders would take the city
and the whole kingdom of Israel, and the
eagerness with which they would seize and
consume the prey. 1t is still true that
trouble and sorrow like an invading army
come upon and destroy those who might
have been happy and prosperous but for
strong drink.
II. The crown of glory Tvs. ), 81. D.
turns from the ten tribes TO the two tribes
OF Judah and Benjamin, the remnant of
Gods people, who were to continue king.
dom for more than 100 years after Israel
was carried into captivity. Judah was to
be favored and blessed. Under Hezekiah
there was to be revival of religion.
6. "A spirit of judgment" A clear per-
ception of Gods truth. A clear head is
promised as well as, glory and beauty.
Turn the battle to the gate. Who pur'
sue the fleeing enemy even to the very. gates
of their own city. We have spiritua! war.
fare TO wage lEph. G;l2t. and we are
pledged to conquer the world for Christ.
Beware lest we render ourselves unfit tor
military service by luxurious habits and
sinful indugenccs The druukards OF
Ephram could do nothing to oppose the
invaders of their country.
iii. Evils OF strong drink Tvs. I. 3. Z,
"But these also have erred (R. W 'Je-
rusalem as we'll as Samaria has her inc.
briates and scenes OF disgusting intoXica.
ton. Though her punishment is not as
near as that of the northern Kingdom.
there are seen the marks OF sure decline.
Note the effects OF strong drink portrayed
in this verse: |. FIRING, wandering into
forbidden ways and places. ,. Even the
religious teachers led astrar. 3. Wholly
absorbed in appetite. 4. They cannot see
things as they are, or Judge correctly: D.
The whole life is perverted. Gods minis
ters need a pure heart, a clean life and a
clear vision.
s. There is no place clean" The
liuuor business is filthy business, and
every one WHO is engaged l.. it or has any.
thing to do with it is made filthy by 1t. 1t
is the parent of ncleanness. The body,
mind ald soul of the one connected with
it become polluted and corrupt.
". Precept upon precept Tvs. 9-l%): .,
TO- "Whorl shall ITe teach" etc. Many
the scoffers as they mocked the prophet
They treat Gods method of dealing with
them and warning them by His prophets
with contempt and dcrision. What. say
they. doth He treat u, as mere infants
inst weancd? Doth He teach us iic little
children. constantly going over the same
easy lessons? We must conceive verse III
as spoken in miraicry with a mocklng mo-
ton of the head, and in childish, STAN
ncring tone.
II. Nay R. W The prophets reply
begins with this verse. Isaiah attacks
them with great force and severity, turn
ing their own language, spoken in mocEcry,
back upon themselves; yes, 1t shall be as
YOU say We shall be taught by a strange
tongue, and in a strange land, whittier You
will be carried into captivity. Then you
will be forced to learn like. children. II.
This is the rest" etc. God had given
them repeated and faithful warnings,
pointing out to them the true rest and the
way to obtain it, but they had closed their
ears and "would not hear" and were
going on in their fancied security to Ger.
tain destruction. l3. "And fall back.
ward" etc. They had had great llig'h and
this made them great sinners, and they de-
served a terrible punishment We cannot
violate Gods law with irlpunity. Those
who persist in their wickedness and spurn
His offers of mercy will ultimately be cast
from His presence.
River of Natural Ink.