The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-03-16
DEFEAT THROUGH
DRUNKENNESS
Sunday School Lesson for Mar. 10, 1911
Specially Arranged for This Paper


TGME-This lesson belongs between Leo,
sons VIII and TX. during the latter part
OF Elijah's mission.
PLACE-The Syrian kingdom with It's
capital at Damascus, adjoined Israel on
tho north. At this period not long before
tho revived Assyrian power apd aggres-
sion came in contact with Israel, Syria
under Benhadad II was tho most powerful
nation on the Mediterranean coast and
was normally bitter enemy OF northern
Israel II was always a group OF related,
but not united, petty kingdoms or tribes.
Benhadad, the Syrian king, gathered
together the 32 kings of tho smaller
tribes allied to his kingdom and made
an oyerpowering raid upon Israel. do
stroying villages and farms and or
chards, paralyzing business, ravaglng
the homes and driving the people TO
the more strongly fortified towns,
They were like "a tempest Of hail,
/ destroying storm, a food OF mighty
waters overhowing, an overwhelming
scourge." These epithets describe in
vivid speech the irresistible violence
| the devastating force with which the
Syrians were about to overwhelm
them. 1t is almost impossible for us
to realize the devastating power OF
such hHlf-savage hordes who lived
upon the country, who ravaged vii.
lagos. who murdered women and chill.
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 well
fare OF the people. Into our goodly
country Intemperance, from drinking
alcoholic liquors, has come and is do
Ing our country more damage, to itA
people, to It's wealth and prosperity,
than the Syrlans did to Palestine, the
Promised Land, by their invasion.
King Alcohol comes with an army Of
tributaries and allies, such as the 24oy
900 saloons, the distilleries, brewerles
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 Ahao
demanding that he yield up his throne.
which 10 implied in his imperlous con-
ceit OF power; Thy silver and thy gold
ls mine; thy wives also and thy chill.
dren. even the goodliest, are mine. And
Ahab was 80 overwhelmed at the
power backing the demand that he
basely yielded and replied: Ny lord.
o king, according TO thy saying. | am
thine. and all that have. Such are
the demands OF King Alcohol
The cost Of liquors each year in this
country is nearly sl,400,000000 The
drink bill in England In 1908 was over
$500, 100000. Take tho national liquor
bill and divide It by the number Of
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
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 its 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 1t away. And
not only Ahab's house, but the houses
of his officers and leaders. This caused
4 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 peop' .
were aroused in indignation againSt
him. At first It was agreed to allow
wine and beer and moderate drinking.
but to resist the ravages of the more
aery drinks. But this was failure.
Temperance societies were formed.
Local and state prohibition were In.
augurated. Investigations made.
Pledges taken.
In their great distress prophet
came to King Ahab with message
from Jehovah: Hast thou seen all this
great multitude? will deliver It into
thine hand this day. WhyY And thou
shalt know | am the Lord. The VIC
tory was wrought to bring them back
10 the true God, TO obedience and wor-
ship; which was vastly moro impor-
tant TO their true welfare than the
loss Of all their property could have
been.
And Ahab said, By whom And he
said. Thus saith the Lord, by the
young men OF the princes of the prov.
inces Who shall order tho battlef
And he answered. thou-the king, the
head OF the nation. He numbered,
mustered, 232 Of the young princes.
These went out first After them he
mustered 1000 citizen soldiers to fol-
low up the victory.
The teaching Of temperance in the
day schools and In the Sunday
schools; the societies Of young people,
the Bands of Hope, tho loyal Temper
ance legion. the various temperance
organizations, like the Good templars,
largely consisting of young people
are the most hopeful Instruments for
overcoming intemperance The year