The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-11-07

| LESSON TExT-Hosea T.
GOLDEN TExT-"woe unto them that
rise up early In the morning, that they
may follow strong drink; that tarry late
INTO the night. TIL wine infame them
Isaiah SILL
We turn aside today from studying
the life OF Christ TO consider one Of
the things that caused the downfall
OF Ephraim, that is the northern king
dom. and also OF Israel, I. O., those
who composed the southern kingdom.
The chief counterfeit OF the Holy
Spirit employed by Satan Is the in.
spiration and the intoxication pro-
duced in the use OF liquors. and we
do well to pause and consider the
works OF him whom Jesus came to
/ destroy. Heb. 2:1D.
The lesson naturally divides itself
into two divisions, Wv. II and w.
sic. This entire section really be-
gins in chapter six verse four and
the cry OF the remnant OF Israel and
Of Ephraim in the last days. In the
first half We see the iniquity Of
Ephraim and Israel discovered" I. e..
revealed. and In the second section
there is discovered or revealed TO us
Gods wrath against them for their
hypocrisy.
!. God declares that II was his de-
sire to heal them both. " ~. II is
not Gods will that any should perish
But while Jehovah would have
healed them they would not be healed.
(cf. Matt. 23:37 and Luke 1880, and
hence II Is that his love serves to re-
veal their wickedness. DIR. Torrey
points out eight charges brought
against the common people "Ephraim"
and the court and city "Samaria," for
this evil attacks both alike.
Never Hidden From God.
% "Falsehood' ". ~. Nothing is
more common among the evils OF in.
temperance than falsehood; as we
have suggested II Is the DEVILS false
imitation OF true inspiration. (2) "A
thief comes In" Intemperance steals
not only a mans money but his repu.
tation. love for his family. In fact any
and everything a sober man will hold
dear. (3) They consider net in their
hearts" Like Rip Van Wrinkle. men
say this last doesn't count" forget.
ting that II does count and that God
remember all OF their wickedness. A
violation OF his law will receive pun.
ishment in due season. America lie
| paying the price OF q manifold In.
crease In taxation. in murder, In i'm.
becillty. in divorce and suicide. the
overwhelming portion of which can be
traced TO intemperance. God Is re.
Numbering all our wickodness and
verify a troop Of robbers are strip.
ping us ". u.
We ofttimes hide our evil deeds
from man but never from God. and a
mans sins will find him out psalm
9:16). These people made the klng
glad ". 81 I. e.. the king delighted in
this wickedness. Let us not forget
that righteousness exalteth a nation
and sin Is a reproach TO any people
ca They are all adulterers," ". A.
or course In this connection we know
there was a remnant of true follow
ers, but the prevailing vileness was
such as to call forth this terrific In
dictment. We need to remember tina,
the connection between the liquor
traffic and white slavery Is so close az
to defy separation.
"The Great Destroyer"
A liquor drinker is almost invaria-
bly, a scorner. He scorns the power
OF liquor over himself. its effect upon
tho nation. Sum up the economic
loss of efficiency the cost OF crime
pauperism. and insanity. and we have
an economic burden OF more than hall
OF the wealth produced by this ma
tion." (See Congressman II. r. Hob
sons. The Great Destroyer"). (6)
They have made ready their heart
like an oven while they lie In wait,
wv. 6, z. referring undoubtedly to the
heat OF anger and passion as well al
Of lust. ca They have devoured
their judges" ". ~. One has but "a
review the pages OF history to apprs
ciate the overthrow Of priest. peasant
and potentate alike. (8) There Ii
none that calleth upon me" ". ~
The turning aside from God was noted
at the outset. here again We see that
the neglect and forgetfulnsss Of God
is the true source of all of mans sin
ming.
ii. God intended Israel, and intends
US. to be separate people. The prophet
sets before US the result OF this re
fusal upon Ephraim. A cake not turn.
ed Is a cake half baked. one half burn.
ed. This metaphor has many applica-
lions. Our social life. our political life.
! our spiritual life ls too often one that
Is half turned. onehalf burned to q
crisp and the other half raw.
Lay emphasis upon the Golden Text
and the general facts OF the temper
ance question. Alcohol is injurious TO
all kinds Of life: there is little. II any.
necessity for its use In medicine. Us
ually Il 10 q positive hindrance. The
story OF "Old Born Drunk" In Beg
hes Twice Born Men," can be told
with profit. q man who returned to
Jehovah and found In the power Of
the blood Of his son healing for his
sickness. Lay strong emphasis upon