The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1904-03-04
ePwoRTH LEAGUE.
March 13s "Appetftes That UnmaHEe
| Mem.0-Dmm. ", 1-6, 2B-2S.

Men."-Dan. v, leo, 2B-2S.
The physical appetites are among our
most precious possessions. Hunger and
thirst have more to do with keeping us
in health than is usually realized. But
for the constant guard they keep it
would be next to an impossibility to
regulate the supply Of nutriment needed
to maintain the body in strength and to
know the proper times when it should
be furnished. No amount of reasoning
ever greatly improves on the native
regulative instinct which acts independ-
emily Of the rational powers.
Our great danger lies in another di-
rection. The satisfaction of these crav-
ings is always pleasing. When in eat
ing we not only satisfy hunger, but also
find some foods particularly good to the
taste, there will come an impulse to
eat such things simply because they
taste good regardless Of the fact that
we are not hungry for food or that such
things may not at that particular time
be the best food for giving the needed
strength. Such eating is not good. 1t
is for qualification of taste and not to
satisfy hunger. 1t will result in de-
rangement Of digestion and induce dis
ease if persisted in and also has
moral effect in weakening the will pow
er and putting the control of life under
the power of physical cravings instead
of under direction of highest reason. 1t
may grow into vice which will wreck
/ q ii xipfIIn nd
ruined forever.
The same holds true of thirst and
every other appetite of the body.
So of every craving of mind. All are
to have their proper place and scope,
but none are to usurp control and be
| allowed qualification simply for the
sake of the agreeable sensation The
test of their right is not the good feel
ing produced That is only incidental
Belshazzar was not in fault because
he drank and ate, nor because he made
a banquet feast to his lords. Such
things have their time and purpose
But when hostile army sat the gates
of the capital it is no time for feasting.
His place was with his soldiers, and his
duty was the defense of his people.
Not all this story lies on the surface
The king not merely banquets at an in
opportune time, debauching himself
and all the leaders ON whom the safety
of his empire depended but his revelry
is in honor of the gods Of gold, silver,
brass, iron, wood and stone They put
dependence on the strength of their
walls and the material resources of
their stronghold. This is the meaning
of their praise of gross, material things
As If this was not enough, he will show
still further his contempt for the spir-
itual powers worshiped by his besiegers
by desecrating the dedicated vessels of
Jehovah, who is, above all others, the
God who is to be worshiped as Spirit
1t is mad, wild orgy; drunken, Ii
| centious, impious defiance of the God
who rules the spirits of men. 1t was
the dethronement of reason and the in
stallation of brute lust and insane pas
sion. 1t proclaimed the disregard of all
rights and duties. The king is no lon
ger leader in government and worship
but despicable prey of vilest passions
His appetites have unnamed him. He
has overthrown the kingdom from
within. and nothing can prevent the
enemy from without entering and rul-
ing. Gods of gold and silver cannot
stand against men who worship the
God of spirit
This is a picture to be hung on the
worlds walls of memory Numbered
numbered. weighed. divided" No proph-
ct who serves the gods of gold and sill
yer can read the inscription. To all
Daniels it is clear as ones native
speech.
Who serves his appetite shall lose his
kingdom Who makes his appetite
serve him and his God shall take the
kingdom and find himself a mana
king