Evening star., 1913-06-21
Intemperance, Iniquity, Irreligion.

There is great difference between the
lntemperance classes in the DAYS of Amos
, ana are own. In the days of the prophet
IL was only the rich who were able to put
on the evil day by drink, which only
hastens its coming. The poor did not
have the price. With us one of the
causes OF poverty is drink. Yet We can
see the same union of forces between
luxury, righteousness and liquor The
OLD simplicity. spiritually and strength
disappeared from Israel with the in
creased wealth that made the rich mobiles
richer and destroyed the great middle
class, upon which the nations safety de-
pended and enlarged the army of poor
peasants.
The great chasm between the rich and
poor was intensified by the newly made
riches passion for display and luxury
that was seen In the great estates that
had been built up by the absorpt on of the
small farms, the vast palaces of hewn
stone. furnished with ivory beds and
silk couches, that had been erected upon
family estates that We're formerly owned
by the servants serfs and slaves Of the
great ones who as they grew greater
crushed the poor beneath them
These stone palaces We're the scenes Of
many elaborate dinners when the choicest
FOODS were served and great quantities Of
wine drunk. In the drunken revel-
cries they irreverently took the most
costly oils and perfumes, which had been
set aside for religious use. and anont-
ed themselves. The profane song and
music OF the viol were heard IN their sim
ful carousals. In their selfish licentious
life. their minds stupified 10y liquor and
their indolences made create 10y their
wealth. and filled with love of self, the
rich rulers became careless to the needs
of their felloWmen.
If We could remove the intoxicating
drink from the other forces Of vice. with
which it has been interlocked and as
sociated throughout story. would
quickly solve the social problems Of our
age. Recently in Duluth. when the law
prohibiting the sale OF liquor IN the red
light districts of the city WAS enforced.
the social evil was dealt a crushing blow,
and the close connection Of the sale of
liquor to the white slave traffic was re-
vealed. Destroy the saloon and the pangs
of poverty cease virtually 10 exist. for
when men are not under the control Of
the drink demon they treat their families.
friends and felow-men i'm the spirit Of
justice and love which banishes all in
equalities and iniqu!ty among men.
Like the brethren of Joseph, VINO
could enjoy their meal while they lis
tened to his pitiful cry for help. suffered
punishment for their lack Of brotherli-
ness or irreligion. the prophet pre-
dicted Israel would suffer punishment for
neslecting to consider the social condi-
tons, including their causes and cures
This Is the lesson that the prophet
speaks to us not only in reference to
the saloon problem. but every social
question that is today pressing for So
luton. In few weeks upon the ami
versary of our national birthday we. as
nation probably will boast of the eN-
tent of our territory, our rapidly in
creasing population. together with the
marvellous resources and wealth of our
country.
1t Is an appropriate time for US to stop
and consider in this hour of our history
as nation the message of the prophet
Amos to our day and generation. Is
size an evidence of strength? Did not
the empire of Alexander fall to pieces
by its own weight? Is wealth evil
dence OF permanent prosperity and pow
er? Did not riches ruin Israel? Was not
the social condition of Israel sympto-
matte OF a spiritual degeneration? Can
we say, as we study seriously our Social
situation, revealed by our popular songs.
the popular attitude toward the Sab
BATH saloon and social evil that as a
nation We are free from those internal
conditions that brought Gods condemna-
ton upon Israel?