The Nevada County picayune. (Prescott, Ark.) 190?-current, 1912-11-08

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, till wine infame them."-
Isaiah gil.
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, |. e., 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 we'll to pause and consider the
works of him whom Jesus came to
destroy. (Heb. 2:14.
The lesson naturally divides itself
into two divisions, Wv. IT and Wv.
SIG. This entire section really be-
gins in chapter six verse four and
contains the response OF Jehovah to
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 it was his de-
sire to heal them both, " -. 1t is
not Gods will that any should perish.
But while Jehovah would have
healed them they would not be healed.
tef. Matt. 23:37 and Luke 1880, and
hence it is that his love serves to re-
veal their wickedness. DR.. 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 1t Is the Devils false
imitation of true inspiration. ca "A
thief comes In Intemperance steals
not only mans money but his repu-
tation, love for his family. in fact any
and everything a sober man will hold
dear. 90 They consider not in their
hearts," Like Rip Van Wrinkle. men
say this last doesn't count" forget
ting that 1t does count and that God
remember all OF their wickedness. A
violation OF his law will receive pun
ishment In due season. America 10
paying the price OF manifold In
crease In taxation, in murder, in i'm
becility, in divorce and suicide. the
overwhelming portion Of which can b
traced to intemperance God is re-
Numbering all our wickedness and
verify 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 tho king
glad ". 81 I. e.. the king delighted IN
this wickedness. Let Nv not forget
that righteousness sxalteth nation
and sin is reproach to any people.
(D They are all adulterers." ". -.
OF course in this connection VIC know
there was remnan: Of rue follow
ers. but the prevailing vilsnesS WAS
buCU dS 10 Sdtl IOltR tulS te'I--tC Ih-
dlctment. We need tc r.psrabs- That
the connection bets~su the liquor
traffic and white slsyafy IS 30 cloe1 az
to defy separation.
"The Great Destroyer"
A liquor drinker is almost invar.a-
bly, scorner. He scorns the power
of liquor over himself, It's effect upon
the nation. Sum up the ecoaom!c
loss of efficiency the cost OF crime.
pauperism, and insanity. and We have
an economic burden Of more than halt
Of the wealth produced by this ma
ton" (See Congressman II. K Hob
sons, The Great Destroyer'). 80
They have made ready their heart
like an oven while they lie IN walt"
wv. 6, 7, referring undoubtedly TO the
heat of anger and passion as vol AS
of lust. % They have davoured
their judges" ". y. One has but TO
review the pages OF history TO arprs-
ciate the overthrow OF priest. pea4snt
and potentate alike. 20 There 10
none that calleth upon me- ". IT,.
The turning aside from God was notes
at the outset. here again We see that
the neglect and forgetfulnsss OF dod
is the true source OF all OF mans SIN
ming.
II. God intended Israel, and intends
US. 10 be separate people. The prophet
sets before us the result OF this re-
fusal upon Ephralm. 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 is too often one that
Is half turned, one-half burned TO
crisp and the other half raw.