The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1911-08-12
Christian EndepOr

Prayer Msstins Tspic For ths Week
0ssinnins Aug. Is. 1911.
ropic.-smal beginnings OF intemper-
ance.-Prov. xxiiL .9-3i. Temperance
meetingJ Edited by Rev. Sherman II.
Doyle. D. D.
In the familiar passage selected for
our study solomon sets forth In
most striking picture the manifold
evils of the great curse Of intemper-
ance. In few strokes he brings be-
fore rs most of its pitiable and pain
full consequences-woe. sorrow. strife.
deterioration. in7urity and mental
confusion and debasemenf. These are
the ripened fruits OF intemperance,
the deadly 6nal results OF drunken
ness. Aud how many countless thou
sands have experienced the awful ef
fects OF intemperance that are here
30 viyidly set forth. and yet how slow
the world is to learn By experience.
consequences. it would seem, should
be enough to keep men from the
temptations of this great evil, and
yet 1t does not do 50. In spite Of ali
warnings the ranks Of the intemper-
ate never seem to grow iess. But the
final consequences Of drunkenness are
no less awful to each victim because
Of the great numbers Of those who fol
low in this way. Let the young be
warned and let the life OF each one be
OF such character that the ripened
fruits of this gigantic evil win never
be possible to them.
The supreme reason why men are
10 easily led into the dangers Of drunk
enness undoubtedly lies In the fact
that its worst consequences are often
80 long delayed. The beginnings are
small and hence the consciences of
men are lulled to sleep and they have
q sense OF safety. although 1t Is false.
"Who hath woe" and all the other
horrors OF this evil? They that 'tarry
long at the wine. they that go to seek
mixed wine." they that go to places
Of revelry. who hunt out where ca
rousals are taking placer But the
beginners In the use Of Intoxicating
drinks never expect to ''tarry long" at
the wine. They never intend to be-
come drunkards and to spend the
nights in drunken rsveiry aud de-
bauch. They expect always to be
moderate drinkers, to bs able to take
a glass or TO let 1t alone. But, alas,
how often they are deceived. They
may think that they may mock at
the perils OF wine. but in the end they
find that 1t is wine. az Solomon says,
that is the lnocker.
men would probably take warning
from the consequences OF intemper.
ance. but because they are not how
many are deluded and deceived. But
we should not be. Delayed dangers
are little Iess desirable than tmmedi-
nte ones. The results. II slow, are sure.
"At the last it biteth like . serpent
and stingeth like an adder" The wise
man considers the final consequences
Of his acts. The danger Of beginning
lies in the fact that the probability OF
continuing until 1.-The last - 90 great.
and therefore the smallest OF begin
nings should never be made.
The only sure safety from drunken.
ness is total abstinence. No man
knows when he takes the nrst glass
what the dnal result will be. but every
man knows that IL he never takes the
first glass he can never become q
drunkard. Why. then. begin at all!
why run the risk perhaps Of awaken
ing a latent appetite that may all too
soon produce. direfui evils or OF form
ing a habit that in the end can only
mean suffering and sorrow? Solo,
mons rule for safety still holds good.
and it is the only one that Look,
not thou upon the wine when It Il
red. when 1t giveth his color in the
cup. when 1t moveth itself Alright"
He who never sees an adder can never
be stung by one. He who absolutely
avoids strong drink can never taste its
woes. Let US. therefore. avoid its use
altogether. II tempted BY friends let
us have the courage to refuse. Let US
avoid the places where It is sold: dis
courage its use In the home and in
social circles. where SO much danger
lies and so much harm Is done.