Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-09-18
SCHOOL LESSON
EVILS OF INTEMPERANcE.
Proverbs. 1881. 1885.
Golden text-zThe drunkard and
the glutton' shall come to pow
erty. Proverbs, 1921.
BY REV. HUGH T. STEVENSON.

Solomon's wisdom has been preserved
for us in many pithy proverbs that
reveal in their condensed and compre-
hensive sayings the broad experience.
accurate observation and clear think
| ing of the scholar. scientist and states
man. He found material for his
proverbs in many different fields, SO
that his practical applications to life
appealed to all classes. While these
proverbs were born of experience and
reflect the life of the nation. they are
the work of a master, whose powers of
expression reveal his literary genius.
They have been classed with the wis
dom literature of the Scriptures. which
did not reach its perfect DEVELOPMENT
until after the exile. Without doubt
richest and best collection of brief.
pointed pithy. proverbial sayings that
present the teachings Of universal ex-
perience upon all the problems of life.
economic. social and spiritual, that
can be found in the literature of the
world.
Although Solomon is credited with
the central portions of the Book Of
Proverbs. probably in it's entirety it
represents the sayings of sages of
many different generations, whose wis
dom reflected the temper of the peo-
pie and whose prudential suggestions
have helped to make the Hebrews.
amid persecution, privaGons and
perils.. greater than that of any other
nation, a successful people. History
reveals the fact that humanity faces
today problems that gave the philoso-
piers trouble to solve centuries ago.
Reforms come slowly. especially when
they are of a political, social and
economic character that have held
mastery over the race for centuries.
While nation like our own may
amend its Constitution. as 1t has re-
Gently in reference to suffrage and pro-
hibition. within a short period Of time,
yet back of the action III making
these changes to the Constitution
have been constant and ceaseless eff
problem was one that the
political philosophers Of the Hebrews
considered, SO that in the lesson for
this week we have the practical adj
vice given by a father to his son that
presented correct principles for his per-
Prohibition has become the law of
the land and brought an end to the
saloon as factor in American
political life. No man stands out to-
day as a champion for its return.
The victory that has come to pro-
sity for the consideration of the
lesson in our Sunday
schools. They have helped train a
generation which has opposed the
saloons. but the danger that comes
with the morrow of victory in battle
is faced by the temperance reformer
of today. The lesson for this week
portrays how Drunkenness destroys
the physical. mental and moral pow.
ers of every person who becomes a
slave to drink. 1t points out the
peril that every one faces who in
duIges in the use of alcoholic bevef-
ages by its message concerning its
dangers and woes. Experience seeks
its use.
The warning note lis sounded by a
father whose heart is full of love for
his sons welfare. 80 he warns him
against the danger of poverty which
follows the drunkard. The
peril is in companionship at the
commencement of life, when habits
are being formed that are factors in
molding their character and destiny.
It cautions against two classes that
are alike in being slaves of appetite
wine bibbers and glutfonous eaters
that every youth ought. to avoid II
he is to make good in life. Ruskfn
has pointed out how that "the whole
of youth is one essentially Of forma-
ton, edifcation. taking of stores, es-
and faiths. There is not an hour Of
it but trembles with destinies, not a
moment of which, once passed, can
the appointed work ever be done
again or the neglected work struck
on the cold iron"
He warns against association with
the wine bibber because Of the fascina-