The log cabin Democrat., 1909-09-25
TEMPERANCE
 LESSON Sunday School Lesson for Sept. 26, 1909 Specially Arranged for This Paper

Suggestions and Practical Thought. In the Arena at Corinth. | Let us in imagination today sit in
 the great Corinthian amphitheater, | looking down upon Christians strug-
 gling with temptations, and perplex- ing questions of duty, and evil pas
 sions, as they had often seen gladiators | trying to overcome wild beasts and armed antagonists. and ready to spill 1 the last drop of their blood to gain victory.
 The Christian church was living in
 this arena. and trying to live and teach a pure and heavenly life. There
 arose many moral problems and ques- tions, two of which come before us in | our lesson for today.
 The first problem was concerning | the Sabbath. How strictly could they keep the Sabbath where there were no Sabbath laws or customs; where the whole machinery of life moved on the plan of all days alike? What
 holy days should they keep-the | 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 Cornth. To
 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 ill 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 both | ture in the church. Pauls Counsels as to the Settlement of These Questions.
 With what weapons and in what l spirit Christians should gain the vic | tory
 1-Stand by Your PersonalLi6erty "Ye, brethren. were called for free | dom." Gal 5:13.
 Why is my liberty judged by an other consciencs?" l Cor. 1929.
 2.-But control your Liberty by the
 Law of Love.
 "All things are lawful, but not all l things are expedient All things are lawful, but not all things edify." l Cor. 1923.
 Let no man seek his own, but each l his neighbor's good" Cor. 10:24.
 Tt is good not to eat flesh. nor to drink wine, nor to do anything where
 by thy brother stumbleth." Rom.
 l4:2O, q.
 3.-Keep Your Conscience Pure.
 Happy is he that judgeth not him. self in that thing which he approveth."
 Rom. 14:22.
 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 in l his brothers way or an occasion of | falling" Rom. 14:13. 5.-The Practical Conclusion. Wherefore, if meat causeth my
 brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh 1 forevermore, that I cause not my | brother to stumble" 1 Cor. S:13.
 Even as I also please all men in profit. but the profit of many, that they may be saved" 1 Cor. 10:33. In the Arena of Modern Life. The author of Hebrews pictures Us in 1 the world as in huge amphitheater where mighty contests are going on;
 while encompassing us, like the crowds on the seats of the stadium
 watching the games are a 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 the use of strong drink which prevails everywhere, and | is doing so much mischief? Paul's principles which he enunci- | ated to the Corinthians and to the | Romans apply to us 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 1 finisher 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" Tho Goodness of God. God is a kind Father. He sets us
 all in the places where He wishes Us
 to be employed, and that employmen:
 is truly "our Fathers business" He