Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-09-26

lNTRODUCTION.-S our
studies in Jewish history for a single
week, the international committee has as
signed a passage in the writings of Is
raels central prophet. 1t would have
us learn the evils of intemperance from
one who flourished eight centuries before
Christ. What is taught by him cannot be
charged to modern fanatiCism or TO Oft
condemned Purit anisn. At first reading
one might think that the selected verses
do not all bear upon the subject. that
the writer has several other matters In
mind BY comparing verses IL and II it
will be seen. however. that the drink
habit was in his thought throughout.
Separate sins never flourish alone They
all originate in carnality Gal. v:1a-2D.
When one appears the others are pres
ent, although. perhaps, latent. A single
serpent may thrust out its head. but be-
hind, coiled in darkness. are many more.
In depicting the woeful condition of the
drunkard the prophet calls attention TO
those things which result from or &C
company this vice. grow with II, 1eed upon
! It, and in turn support II.
HARIT-In verses II and 10 we see
the first result as we'll as the method or
the drink ha bit BY the use of intoXicants d
man acquires appetite whose demands
cannot be refused. The infamed condition
of the vital organs and the consequent
pain prov. xXiii:32 compel him to
leave his couch early to seek rel1ef: IN
this way princes became slaves thccl.'
x:16) The pleaSurable sensation pro-
duced led them to tarry long at night at
their cups, retiring in stupor prov XIII:
80. Beginning and ending the day under
the dominion of strong drink, 1t became
their chief desire prov, xxiii:3o Falling
into extreme sensualty they introduced
music into their feastS to heighten their
pleasure and entice the INTO further In
diligence In his degradation they sought
enjoyment as their chief good tAmos'Ei'o'
and the work of God was driven from
their minds. They lost interest in the
nhenomena of nature IN the welfare of
society in the duties of the hour and
gave their time and strength to sensuouS
pleasure. Woe unto such men, cried
Isaiah. 800
REsU-LTS.-Sad as is the condition
of those who come under the power or
strong drink. as just described. there are
more deplorable consequences both 10 the
individual and to society. The drunk
ard. boasting of personal hberty anu
resenting restrairt seems not to consider
| that he Injuries others tRom.. XlV:D. Inc
prophet turns his thoughts to the remote
results of the drink habit oversees l3-l4o:
! my people are gone away into CAPTIVITY
| he declares. referring to their past, ana,
probably to their future. But why into
| captivity? Because they have no knoWl-
edge" Having just shown that intern
| perance precluded knowledge of God, he
| now shows that suclI ignorance leads
| to national decay and ruin (Hos.. 1V:6).
| And this because the honorable men. the
officials through drink come to poverty
| prov, xxii:2D, and famine and death
carry multitudes of them to the grave.
He saw hell enlarged to receive the VIC
| tins, like some voracious monster. open
| ing wide his jaws. to gorge his prey he
may have referred to Tophet. the genera
| burying place near Jerusalem Ger, VII:
3D, once a beautiful valley, then marked
| bv defilement and death. emblem of the
abode of the wicked duke. xvi:24.
JUDGMENT-When all this has run
| its course what shall De the finality IN
| Israel? The prophet would have us know
| the worst that full measure may be
| oversees 15-1D. The mean man Jer.,v:9)
| shall be brought down and the mighty
man shall be humbled-they shall be
| ruined by their own sinful indulgence.
This will be recognized as the Judgment
of God upon them, and He will be exalted
and glorified for this display of His holi-
ness and justice DAN, iv:3O. Let no
man imag CINE that the Almighty is an in
different spectator when such havoc is
| made of the soul and body. when the
good order and peace of society are dis
on every hand. Moreover. when he has
| thus entered into judgment when the
mighty are fallen and the people are cap
| tiyes, the cities shall become pastures
! The lambs play where the diSsolute had
| their habitation. and strangers Will cultl-
vate the waste places and eat of the fruit
! age och, v:j-O. Such will be the out