Mexico Missouri message., 1913-11-06


thing whereby thy brother stumbleth.'
Rom. 4:21.
Paul was in Corinth, city of lux
ury, learning and RIGHTEOUSNESS when
he wrote this letter to the believers in
Rome, a letter of profound logic and
ethics as well as a profound study In
psychology and philosophy.
!. None Of us ilveth to hlmself,"
w. III. Paul begins this chapter by
giving a caution as to doubtful dispu-
tations, Judgments upon thoughts"
whether 1t be in the matter OF eating
herbs or meats, or in the observance
of set days. Who are we but fellow
servants ". d of God? About such
things as habits and observance OF
days we must each be assured In our
own minds, ". 81, but while that ts
true yet, none liveth to himself"
". y, for I'VE are the Lords" ". 81.
He is the universal Lord, both Of the
living and the dead, ". 81. What folly,
therefore, for any believer to set him
self up in judgment upon his brother.
Four Things Suggested.
II. "Give an account to God" w.
1918. Verse IL suggests four things:
"a A universal summons, each one
of u.s." great and small, obscure or ia
nous, each one must appear, none
overlooked, none excluded, none ex-
cused. (2) A particular summons,
each one of u.s." not en- masse, but
as separate units. (3) A purposeful
summons, ito give account" not OF
al hut ut rrrsn At
be blind justice" that shall await us
there, but holy God, one who knows
all, sees all, every thought and imagi-
nation of the human heart (Gen. $50
end whose judgment will be righteous.
| (4) A rightful summons, because of it's
source, before God" and shall not the
Judge of the whole earth do right?
No excuse because of the failure of
others will avail, no subterfuge be ac-
ceptable, "strict Justice" will condemn.
Man-made laws and ordinances as to
what we eat or what days we may OBJ
serve will then be revealed in the
white light of the God whose name is
love. In the light of such prospect
how pertinent therefore that we turn
". 49,, from judging others and look
well to our own conduct, lest that con-
duct become rock of stumbling to
other and weaker brethren.
Another Law.
III. "FoIlow after things which mako
for peace" w. 1928. To follow that
which shall edify is to exercise the
Flaw of liberty" James in his epistle
(1:25, 2:12) tells us to look into this
law and to continue therein for by it
we shall be judged, yet there is still
another law, the royal law" (2:S,
Matt. 22:36-40), the fulfilling of which
will settle every question of mans re-
lation to man. We should so use our
liberty that 1t be not evil spoken of
or become a rock of stumbling to any.
Whether or not the kingdom of God
be in us, or we in the kingdom, de-
ponds not upon the ecrupulous obsery.
ance of ordinances either as to eat.
ing, or the observance of days, but
rather in the manifest righteousness OF
our lives and In having peace in our
hearts, CHI. 1913, being filled with 10y
in the Holy Spirit" v. II. Therefore
IL to eat meat shall cause my brother
to stumble or to be made weak ". 21)
II will eat no flesh for evermore,'
I. Cor. S:13.
All of this leads up 70 the true prin
ciple Of total abstinence as revealed
in verse 81, at is good not to eat
flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to de
anything whereby thy brother STUN
bleth or is offended" This does mo-
alone apply to the Great American
Juggernaut, the commercialized liquor
traffic, which, according to the United
States Supreme court, has no lega
ground upon which to stand. Wher
, the members of the church of Goo
, in. this "land of liberty" shall eacl
be governed by this principle 1t will
. not be long before the liquor problem
any many other questions that arr
, troubling us will be settled. The rea
question will not be "Is 1t wrong !?
but rather, How will II affect m!
brother?" All meats are clean, W,
know that, Acts 1915, but we alst
know that many cannot eat, canno
participate in our acts, with a clea
conscience because in so taking par
there comes before the mind OF tn,
weaker brother the evil association
and practices which SO frequently &C
company such acts or such eating
Our indulgence, no matter how limo
cent and entirely harmless it may b.
to us, is therefore not to be though
of, This settles the drink question
the tobacco habit, dancing, card play
ing, theater going. and all question
aole amusements."
For once teach temperance lessoi
not on the ground of the narrowing
effects of this awful traffic, but try t
show that intemperance is largely tn
result of selfishness. Show how les
selfisEness in our social relation
would help to keep men away fror
the ealoon. Less selfishness in none
would keep us from accepting blood
tax money. Less selishness on tn
part VI churches by activities durin