The Brinkley argus., 1909-09-24
TEMPERANCE LESSON Sunday Sehsel Lesson fer Sept. 43, IsS9
 Specially Arranged fer This Paper

LESSON TENT.-1 Cor 10::s-Ss. Mem cry verse e4. GOLDEN TEXr.-'Tet every one o, us please his neig;bor for his good 10 eur ication."-I:om. 152.
 suooeetions ard Practical r''oasns'
 tn the Arena at Corinfh.
 Let us in imagination today sit in .he great Corintbisn amphitneater' looking down upon Christians strug- g,ing with temptations, and pefpieA' ing questions of duty, and evil pas sions. as they had often seen gladlators irving to overcome wild beasts anu armed antagonists. and ready to splI the last drop of their blood to gain victory.
 The Christian church was living m this arena, and trying to live ana teach pure and heavenly life. There arose many moral problems and dues- lions. two of which come before us ID our lesson for to-day.
 The first problem was concerning the Sabbath. How strictly could they keen the Sabbath where there were no Sabbath laws or customs; where the whole machinery of life moved on the plan of ali days alike? what holy days should they keep--tne Christian anniversaries. the Jewish, the Christian Sabbath-and how should they keep them?
 The other problem was concerning food offered to idols. This was the most generally perplexing question for a small band of Christians living in Gentle cities like Corinth 10 some extent the Jews had prepared the way for it's solution. The i'm portance of this problem is hard for us to realize. Paul discusses it at length in Romans IA. and his discus sions in 1 Corinthians begin as far back as the eighth chapter. Much was to be said pro and con.
 There was much to be said on Dotn sides, and there was danger of rup- ture in the church.
 psuvs counseIs as to the Settlement
 of These Questions.
 With what weapons and in what spirit Christians should gain the vic tory.
 Stand by Your Personal Liberty.
 "Ye. brethren, were called for free dom." Gal. 5:13.
 "Why is my liberty judged by an other conscience?" 1 Cor. 10:c9.
 2.--But control your Liberty by the Law of Love. :.
 "All things are lawful, but not all things are expedient All things are lawful. but not all things edify.' Cor. 10:23.
 Let no man seek his own. but each his neighbours good" lsCor. 10:24."
 Tt is good not to eat flesh. nor to drink wine. nor to do anything where by thy brother .stumbleth.' Rom. 14:2O, 21
 3.-Kcep Your Conscience Pure.
 Happy is he that judgeth not him. self in that thing which he approveth. " Rom. 14:22 .sa:.
 Each one of us shall give account of himself to God" Rom. 14:12.
 4.-Consider the Effect Upon the Conscience of Others. . Let us not therefore judge one anoth CT any more: but judge ye this rather that no man put a stumbling block il his brothers way or an occasion O. falling" Rom. 14:13.
 5.-The Practical Conclusion.
 "Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, will eat no flesh forevermore, that cause not my brother to stumble" Cor. S:13.
 Even as I also please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit Of many, that they may be saved" Cor. 10:S3.
 In the Arena Of Modern Life.
 The author of Hebrews pictures us in the world as in huge amphitheater where mighty contests are going on {; while encompassing us. like the watching the games, are great cloud of witnesses The heroes he had been describing in the previous chapter heroes who had gained the victory. are looking down upon us from heaven to see how the battle is going with us
 But the one that concerns Us at this hour is intemperance. What shall be our attitude toward tine use of strong drink which prevails everywhere, and is doing so much mischief?
 Pauls principles which he enunei. ated to the Corinthians and to the Romans apply to is.
 And we should meet the question practically as the author of Hebrews taught the Christians of his day.
 Wherefore seeing we also are com. passed about with so great cloud of witnesses.
 ''let us lay aside every weight
 and the sin which doth so easily beset us
 and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
 Looking unto Jesus the author and inisher of our faith
 "who for the joy that was set be- fore him endured the cross, despisins the shame,
 and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God
 The Goodness of ced.
 H>l sa. I~s- . MA