Evening star., 1921-10-29
Sunday School Lesson

Of both Judah and Israel were closely
connected lie warned his fellow
citizens of Jerusalem OF the nations
danger. He brings mis- parable. which
closes his masterful prophecy TO an
end by a picture of Gods mercy that
summoned them to repent He be-
holds the coming of the Kingdom OF
righteousness. which is to be ruled
by the Jehovah of Hosts, becoming
a crown Of glory: a diadem of beauty
to the residue of His people; that is.
those who shall return after the long
exile. Some see this being fulfilled
in the way that Palestine has CONE
into the hands of the Jewish people
or Zionism. Its secondary meaning
relates to the spiritual rule of Christ
Jesus.
While trying to make them realizo
that the danger of Israel might come
upon Judah, the prophet tried to
teach the politicians Of Jerusalem
used by God to purify the nation.
Our Lord is not "a mere disaster
monger. a maker of terror for men"
for He has 4 plan for this world Of
ours that makes "all things work to-
gether for good to them that love
Him. If the drunkard will turn :"
Him seeking mercy and pardon, th'
Lord Jesus will make his weakness =
source of strength. The men,. who
heard Isaiah were not different from
the wine bibhers Of today: for the
refused to heed the warning of the
drunkard's woes that the propilef
pressed home in his message.
II one refuse to accept Gods Offer
of salvation and neglects 10 heed tl''
warning Of danger that turks in the
himself TO blame for the evil resuits
that are certain to follow. The use
of wine. the fernented grape juice, and
strong drink, mixture of wine with
spices. would resnlt in d speedy and
raging" drunkenness. The decay IN
conduct and character which follows
the use of alcoholic beverages is
caused by its power to dethrone tn
intellect. Its use not only under
mines the body, rendering it unfit
TO endure any strain. but it clogs
the brain so that the decision OF a
drunken man is always faulty. Tht
courts Of justice that met in the cities
of Samaria and Jerusalem were un-
able to dispense justice. which is tho
keystone of government, becausc
the paralyZing effect of alcohol pre-
vented them from correctly interpret
ing the law
Intemperance not only defiled III
courts of the nation. but it corrupted
religion. for both the priest. who
according to the Jewish ritual. repre-
sented the people before God and rs!t-
I PRESENTED Jehovah before the peopIe
as well as the prophets. whose du; I.
ii was to interpret His word am
will. had become castaways through
the use of strong drink. The revolt
ing picture of their drunken orgy
when the religious leaders during tho
time of sacred feast filled all the
| tables with vomit and filthiness
shows how they disre egarded the san.
tity of the temple courts. The decI:r.
OF the influence of religious leader
over the multitude. but especial,
| over the drunken nobility of Jerus..
lem. is apparent by their sneerinr
attempt 10 throw ridicule upon the
prophets constant reiteration OF his
warnings and rebukes.
| 1ntemperance inter!eres with III.
| education development The child
, of drunkard is handicapped in iife's
race for intellectual achievement
| The drunkard's protest against the
| temperance lecturer that men are no
! longer children. and that the babies
contains truth. The hope Of tn.
, future is in the children learning tn
/ folly of :ntemperance. The advance
ment made in tie temperance cause
| has been hastened by the teachings
| given in the public schools upon tn,
effect Of alcohol upon the human sys-
TEN. An eminent physician has
pointed out how "paupers drunkardS
| prostitutes. criminals. the insane. tn.
| feeble minded. the worthless. gener-
, any. pHf 'HNiT cOnullsonS Very ll-gtiN
| to tainted heritage" which hinders
their mental and physical develop
ment.
! The drunkara may deride. but H.
! ranno' escape the results Of his sin
/ ful life. Israel refused to heed Isaiah
| He warned them that they would
| have to listen 10 Gods word even /.
| II was spoken by the voice of stran-
gers. when the army OF the .Assyr;ans
! imperiled Jerusalem and Judah. The
/ prophet claimed that the practice of
temperance and self-control would
avert the nations doom. Men and
nations who refuse to heed Cod
voice when He summons them to
f; rest and refreshment in the path
way Of righteousne IS will find when
/ trouble comes to them that they per-
T, sonal!y caused il by refusing TO hear
+, His Voice and declining to do III
| will
| Isaiah saw that the destiny of III,
nations was interviewer with that a
, its citizenship. He called for a bone
! dry prohibition. SO that they could i.
saved. Y America and the worIG
! would hasten a return to uormaI"s
they can find il by following Iii
program of the Lord, who has pro
, nourced = voc upon the one who
! gives his neighbor strong drink. Ii
| prohibition helped us to win the was
J then let US keep up the temperancr
! fight until the Saloonless nation ShaI,
/ he free from the curse of drunken
| ness.