The Green Forest tribune., 1911-03-17

GOLDEN TENTH Is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink. ."-Prov. 31:4
 TIME-This lesson belongs between Leg sons VIII and TX. during the latter part of Elijah's mission.
 PLACE-The Syrian kingdom with its capital at Damascus, adjoined Israel the north At this period not long before the revived Assyrian power and aggres- sion came in contact with Israel, Syria under Benhadad II was Che most powerful nation on the Mediterranean coast. and was normally a bitter enemy of northern Israel. It was always a group of related, but not united petty kingdoms or tribes.
 Benhadad, the Syrian king, gathered together the 32 kings of the smaller tribes allied to his kingdom and made an overpowering raid upon IsrGel de- stroying villages and farms and or chards, paralyzing business, ravaging the homes and driving the people to the more strongly fortified towns. They were liko "a tempest of hail, destroying storm, flood of mighty waters overfowing, an overwhelming scourge.' Those epithets describe in vivid speech the irresistible violence, the devastating force with which the Syrians were about to overwhelm them. It is almost impossible for us to realize the devastating power of such halfsavage hordes who lived upon the country, who ravaged viii lages, who murdered women and chil dren, who had an unrestrained power They were worse than the ten plaques of Egypt.
 What the invaders sought was the wealth, the harvests and all kinds of valuables, without paying for them, and entirely without regard to the wei fare of the people. Into our goodly country Intemperance, from drinking alcoholic liquors, has come and is do- ing our country more damage, to it's people, to it's wealth and prosperity, than the Syrians did to Palestine, the Promised Land, by their invasion. King Alcohol comes with an army of tributaries and allies, such as the 240,- 900 saloons, the distilleries, brewcries, hotels, clubs, personal invitations to drink, advertisements in magazines and papers, cocaine and opium habits. All invading us for the sake of their own personal gain at the expense of the community
 When the invaders had reached the capital with their army and horses and chariots in an unresisted march, Benhadad sent messengers to Ahab demanding that he yield up his throne, which is implied in his imperious con ceit of power; Thy silver and thy gold is mine; thy wives also and thy chtl- dren, even the goodliest are mine. And Ahab was so overwhelmed at the basely yielded and replied My lord, o king, according to thy saying, I am thine, and all that I have. Such are the demands of King Alcohol
 The cost of liquors each year in this country is nearly $1,400,000,00 The drink bill in England in 1908 was over SS00,000,000. Take the national liquor saloons and s5,945 becomes the aver age cost to the people of each saloon. On the average the saloon pays back for nation, state and city taxes $500. This $500 is eagerly taken from a grateful country in lieu of $5,945. Thus King Alcohol demands our homes, our wives, our husbands, our silver and gold. And we have yielded too easily to it's demands.
 Benhadad then sent word that his officers were coming and would search Ahab's house for every pleasant thing he had and would take it away. And not only Ahabs house, but the houses of hia officers and leaders. This caused a revolt. The king summoned his leading people to conference and they decided not to yield to the de mands of Benhadad. The weak Ahab declared that for himself he would yield all he had promised but he must deny the increased demand
 King Alcohol became so greedy in his demands, the results of his evil work became so great, that the people were aroused in indignation against him. At first 1t was agreed to allow wine and beer and moderate drinking, but to resist the ravages of the more fiery drinks. But this was failure. Temperance societies were formed. Local and state prohibition were in- augurated. Investigations made. Pledges taken.
 In their great distress a prophet came to King Ahab with a message from Jehovah: Hast thou seen all this great multitude? I will deliver it into thine hand this day. Why? And thou shalt know I am the Lord The vic tory was wrought to bring them back to the true God, to obedience and wor- ship; which was vastly more impor- tant to their true welfare than the loss of all their property could have been.
 And Ahab said, By whom? And hs said, Thus saith the Lord, by the young men of the princes of the prov inces Who shall order the battle? And he answered, thou-the king, the head of the nation. He numbered, mustered, 232 of the young princes.
 God, the true religion, is the one source of victory over the power of intemperance. Religious motives and incnirotion 1Aye of God and love tO