The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1919-10-29
Sunday School Notes

Nov. 2. Temperance Lesson. Jere'
miah IS, to s.; ~ to IA and IS, 10.
| The scripture verses forming the
foundation for the lesson are found in
the book of the prophet jeremiah, and
they call attention to the tribe OF
Rechabites, of whom Jonadab was a
noted member, the people Of which
were under perpetual command to
drink no wine all their days. The lesson
story story tells of an attempt to get
the Rechabites to drink by placing
wine before them and then delivering
a kingly decree that they should drink.
The spokesman OF the tribe relates
how Jonadab had given commands of
total abstinence and it was the proud
boast that through the years his words
had not been disregarded. The faith
fulness of the descendants Of Jonadab
was set forth at the time as an exam
pie to other groupes Of Jews and there
came the word from God that the
tribe should hold to gether for long
years as a reward for uprightness.
If there is any one thing people like
to see, it is for man to give his word
to fulfill a noble purpose and then
stand by it through thick and thin.
The bible in telling of the qualities
of a good man. says that he is one
who, having given his word, will keep
| it although in so doing his interests
are hurt. 1t is lamentable fact, OBJ
servation shows that men and women
given course of action because they
see it is right and then hold to it de-
spite all opposition and temptations.
The mass OF us float along with no in
voice OF stock in our lives, follow
ing without resistance the drift Of
things about us, steering no independ-
ent course.
One of the grand things about the
bible religion is the demand for right
action not alone for the betterment
Of the person in question, but for the
good of others. The great apostle
Paul struck the keynote when he said
lit was not right to eat meat, drink
Wine, or do any other thing whereby
your brother is made weak and there
by caused to offend. Paul further says
that all should beware of their con-
duct being stumbling block to an.
|other He calls attention to the fear4
full thought that might be that one
of us should be the reason of another
not reaching heaven because of our
misleading. Paul recognized that one
might be so strong that he could do
most anything and be unframed. but
that it was worth while to refrain
from things if one weaker might come
to grief by followingsour example.
8, 1t is, simply amazing how men and
women can keep right on in a given
questionable line of habit or conduct
when they have direct charge Of chill
dren. l need but o"call attention to
this matter as hundreds of instances
will come to the mind 5. of readers.
There is the father whose boy is just
coming to the age when he observes
things, and when if he follows in the
ways of his father there is danger.
The entire community knows about
the case and realizes that certain
things are sure to come about. Now
comes the tragic part of the matter.
The father keeps right on drinking,
swearing, smoking, living an immoral
life. Why, the devil only knows. 1t
would seem as if no sane man would
act so, but those who claim to be sane
do the very self same things. The
fact that humiliation to the child on
account of having such Father is
certain. and that the child may curse
the day he was born to such a father,
all goes for naught. Men keep on in
their meanness just the same and no
entreaties penetrate.
The people of this country are to be
congratulated that intemperance in
the use of intoxicating liquors is on
the decline. 1t is neary miraculous
that within three of the entire number
of states in the union the national pro-
hibition amendment to the United
States constitution has been adopted.
There is call for the righteous OF the
country to aid in strict enforcement
of the laws passed by congress to put
in force the new amendment. While
the legal victory has been won 1t Is
vitality necessary that public sentiment
be held at such pitch that enforce
ment will be made the easier. 1t is
certainly matter giving great salts
faction to the temperance people that
their predictions Of beneficial condi-
tons which would arise under prohlbl-
ton are being carried out. The fight
for prohibition is now being waged in
England and while it will be a long
battle yet ultimate success will crown
the efforts Of those working toward