Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-03-28
Sunday School Lesson for March 29 Discussed
by Rev.. J. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education
TEMPERANCE LESSON. Proverbs xiii 90. s5

INTRODCCTION.-T sacred writ
ers surpaSs even Shakespeare in their
ability to describe the experiences and
conduct Of men, and their representations
are universally recognized as correct. Sol
ONION. who wrote most of the Proverbs
f1ourished 5000 years ago. His observa-
lions were limited TO people whose Gus
toms. manners. speech and religion were
wholly unlike any now prevailing in our
country. And yet he gave maXimS that
are perfectly adapted to the everyday
life with which We are familiar. ruuch
as If they were composed but yesterday.
The truthfulness OF the statement will ap-
pear to all as we study the lesson of the
day. The evils Of Incorporate indul-
gence in strong drink are here portrayed
with faithfulness that will astonish US.
showing how this vice has perpetuated
itself through the centuries.
QUESTIONS ,verse 2@.-In con-
else abrupt and energetic manner the
lesson opens with a series of five ques-
tons one Of them being repeated for the
sake of emphasis. These questions call
attention to the deplorable conditions.
which must have been common. The
first pertains to a disordered inward
state that produces misery; the second,
to disturbed social relations resulting in
conflict; the third, to irregular incoherent
speech, when the tongue is not governed
by the judgment, the fourth to physical
injuries inflicted by others in unnecessary
strife or caused by accident; the fifth. to
the injury of the organs of sight Where
are all these ills-some inward. some out
ward. some spiritual. some physical.
some personal, some social? The question
Is designed to startle the reader and
awaken reflection.
ANSWER Verse 3O.-The inspired
writer himself replies to the questions.
affirming that they suffer thus who are
addicted to the excessive use of wine.
The original word here used Is yayin, the
generic Hebrew term. that includes all
classes of wine. fermented and unferment-
ed. and is employed more than one hum
dred and forty times in Scripture. more
than all other special terms together.
This word is found in the earliest and
latest history Gen. ix:21: Neh., xiii:15).
and it appears in the laws. the precepts
and the prophetic writings covering the
three ages Of Hebrew literature. But If
this verse does not distinguish the kind of
drink 1t does lay stress on the quantity.
By long tarrying and overindulgence the
evil habit is formed. and by mixing drinks
intoxication is produced. Here is a de-
scription of those licentious persons who
go about cities, from saloon to saloon
with jOvial friends, and drink repeatedly
until overcome.
ADVICE (verse 3D.-In the last
verse the wise man exposed the folly of
the drinking habit. showing what comes
Of excess. Had he said no more some
might be encouraged to the moderate use
of strong drink. which is the fruitful
| source of intemperance. But in this verse
he condemns a certain kind of drink.
When the wine (yayin) is red. the color
being observed as it Is poured into the
cup, fermentation has begun. which will
be evidenced by the rise and escape of
bubbles, q movement in the liquid by
which the elements are converted into
new compounds. One Of these Is alcohol,
which Is never found in nature The
| chemical process was not understood
when the text was written. but the de-
scription is very accurate. When all this
has taken place. a poison has come into
the drink and it is to be absolutely dis
carded. No one should even look upon 1t
at such time. This advice enjoins total
abstinence from intoxicants.
EFFECT (verse 32).-Why reject
fermented wine altogether? Why may
not its moderate use be allowed? Why
not pause with condemnation of excess?
Does not temperance mean moderation?
These are old questions heard on every
hand. Let Solomon answer in four dis
tinct statements. First, because alcoholic
beverages bring pain and discomfort to
the body. That does not come at once.
For time there Is a pleasurable sensa-
ton. an exhilaration of spirit, and one
fancies himself stronger. so that he
seeks further drauGhts. But lat last, "
when4tne has come under the dominion of
liquor. il bites and stings. The stomach
and other vital organs. the brain and the
whole nervous system, indeed the entire
man. is affected as If venomous serpent
had thrust its fangs into him. 1t was this
influence that gave the name alcohol for
the Arabian chemist who discovered it
observed that when applied to the skin
it eXcoriates and deadens.
RESULT (verse 33).-The secure bod
lily health and comfort one must reject
alcoholic beverages. This teaching of the
wise man is approved by science and ex-
perience. But the physical and the spirit
ual natures Of man are so intimately re-
lated that any injury to the former soon
involves the latter. The disordered brain
produces a deranged heart, whose affec-
tons go out after unholy things. Here Is
noted what has been one of the saddest
results of intemperance. a life Of licen-
tiousness Thine eyes shall behold
strange women" This explains the con-
duct of Lots daughter Gen, xix 31-35) T..
and gives the reason for Solomon's coun-
sci in another place prov. xxxi:3. AZ.