The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1911-05-17

''. Mrs. A. H. Harper. Dow City
Executive Committee-E,.r L. Hoffman n
Denison; +. L: Vansly}ke, Manilla IN n; F.;
Oak; John Vennick, West Side; FRANK
Woolston Boyer.
May 21-Song of the Vineyard; a
Temperance Lesson. Isaiah 5 liz.
For a second time we are able to
think upon the wonderful writings of
the prophet Isaiah. In the lesson of this
day he in most graphic words laments
the evil way into which his people
had fallen, and foretells their punish
ment. In the opening verse he COM
pares Israel and her people to that
of a vineyard, to which the owners
had given every possible Improvement
to make it profitable, and fruit bear
ing. The question is asked, What
more could have been done to my
vineyard that | have not done in it,
But see, there is no fruitage of value,
the grapes are wild and sour. What
other thing can the owner do than
to clear it out and make room for
other plants which will do rightly. In
the seventh verse the house of Israel
and the men of Judah are likened to
the wild grapes and their punishment
foretOld.
1t will be remembered that one OF
the strong parallels given by Jesus
was one likening the Jews to men who
rented fine vineyard, and then re-
fused to pay any rent, even killing
the son of the owner, when he came
peacefully. In the fifteenth Of John,
followers Of Jesus are likened to
branches, and fruit bearing is demand
ed on penalty of being cut Off. We
want to be very careful in our day
that we appreciate what God has done
for us, and not be ungrateful as were
the Jews of old. The great apostle
Paul calls attention to the fact that
the same power which has given us
an opportunity to be fruitful vines can
put us away, if we do not do our duty,
and live up to our light.
On going into details as to the wick
edness of his people, Isaiah points out
that one cause of complaint is drunk
enness and carousing. He says: "Woe
unto them that rise up early in the
morning, that they may follow strong
drink, that continue until night, Till
wine inflame them" Such as these
''regard not the work OF the Lord,
neither consider the operations OF His
hands," So way back 700 years before
the birth of Christ, drunkenness was
common and its awful consequences
felt. A glimpse at very many scenes
in our own midst will show that over
drinking and the evils which always
follow, are right about us. There is
need of the warnings of Isaiah to be
repeated again and again. With drink
goes wickedness, crime, broken-heart-
ed women and children. Yet with this
fact as plain as the noon day sun,
there are those who will persist in
drinking to excess. Because of such
things the prophet crys out that hell
hath enlarged HERSELF
With the promise of Jesus of blessed
immortal life it is the height of folly
to throw it all away for excessive
drinking of wine, whiSkey or beer.
Among those of whom it is said they
cannot inherit heaven, are drunkards,
God is merciful and kind, but it is
not best to indulge freely in intoNi-
eating liquors, and expect Him to
overlook ones horrible career. Total
abstainance is the only safe course.
The children should take the temper
ance pledge and then faithfully keep
it. No one of the readers OF this col
umn wants to be in that enlarged
mouth of eternal darkness because of
drinking too much intoxicating
liquors. Just now is the best time to
declare that with Gods help one will
stand fast in the safety of never drink
inc q lrOD while life is given