Evening star., 1923-11-03

l eenth Amendment mas mAue pTouipi-
tion worldwide question. World
Temperance Sunday calls for the con-
sideration Of prohibition from a new
angle In our Sunday schools. In
studying this lesson we are not
called upon TO consider It from the
position or civic duty. which de-
mands OF all men, no matter whether
they favored the principle of prohi-
bition; we are to look at 1t from the
lConstitution and enforce the national
and state laws In reference to prohi-
bition, we are to look at 1t from the
scriptural point Of view. While the
biblical writer's did not know any
Thing about modern prohibition, they
proclaimed the spiritual principles
that the nation has adopted in It's
| adventure In moral and economic
Legislation, which has attracted the
attention of all the world.
| No nation has ever attempted such
| a gigantic task as the United States
| undertook when 1t outlawed tho liz
uor interests. Its decision was not
hastily made, but was based upon
| threatened the foundation of the ma
.ion's life. The use of alcoholic
| liquors and the influence of the sa-
| loon was a menace to the Union that
| 4as formed to establish justice, in
| crease domestic tranquility, provide
or the common defense, promote the
general welfare and secure the bless
.ngs of liberty to ourselves and our
.osterity," 80 the nation outiawed
! believed that personal sliberty per-
1 .nitted them to violate the laws of
he states and nation fastened. by
| .heir Interpretation, the plan to make
| he United states a dry nation by
1920. Those wlho favored the prohi-
pition amendment may have been en-
| outraged by biblical principles that
hey applied to the use of alcoholic
beverages. The Inspiration probably
1 .ame from the infiu uence of the scrip
| ures upon the minds of men, but 1t
! vas supplemented by scientific inves-
4 legations and economic factors that
he world war FASTENED. The lesson
! wo recent conferences held in Wash
ngton. the citizenship and the gov
1 ;rnors. the responsibility OF public
| ,fficials for law enforcement.
| No person can be depended upon to
make good as public official who
| ioes not possess faith in God. Only
| hose who have the fear" of Jehovah
n their hearts, through their personal
1 experience of His grace. can be count
| d upon to exercise mercy and jus
L
| If the nation. Character is essential
! every ruler. Personality built upon
| faith in God and ones accountability
| to Him for every private and public
act will enable a ruler or public off,
1 .ial to enforce the laws OF the nation
l Tree from fear and the desire to favor
| any interest or persons in the eyes of
| the psalmist-
| oficiaIs who long for the fellow
(! ship of the Lord are apt to be law
| abiding persons. Men can't enforce
| avs that they personally break. The
| ate President Harding's public and
| private stand in reference to the per-
| ional use Of liquors was an example
l o all who wished to obey the laws of
| The nation. He saw in the enforce
ment Of the laws in reference to pro-
nibition the obligation Of every citi-
| zen and official to consistently sup
| before he made his public declaration
| n his speech In Denver last June. our
| beloved late President. who had not
! always been an abstainer made
| known to his friends what ne de
| clared publicly in his great address
| upon law enforcement, that he would
never again touch alcoholic bever-
! ages He saw clearly that prohibi-
i lion had become the law of the land
I; and that It would continue TO be the
/, law. although "details of enforcement
| policy doubtless will be changed as
I experience dictates" He recognized
| hat Americans faced the issue of
whether the laws of this country can
| be and will be enforced" He pointed
,ut that ours must be a law-abtding
| .epublic, and reverence and obedience
!, must spring from the influential and
| .eaders among men, as well as obedi-
! ance from the humber citizens. else
! he temple will collapse" Every ruler
1 must see to II that within my house,
az the psalmist puts 1t, there would
! be an obedience OF law In every re-
| spect. No man can consistently i'm
| pose upon his fellow men any law
| which he violates or allows to be
broken in his own home.
! Every public official is Influenced by
| lis associates and daily experiences.
| The man who praises God recognizes
he association OF men who are un-
/! ,aithful and sinful. He selects for his
| he iniquity of the world. Like David.
! lie realizes that he must protect society
! oy freeing it from the entangling al
/ lance Of the scandal monger. His court
! must be free from all those whose
| words, acts or significant look would
/; eek to destroy the character of others.
| The naughty and malignant dishonest
person ought not to be permitted to
rave intimate relations with any pub
] ic official. While the Psalmist did
rot mention intemperance. Experience
,roves that the use OF Intoxicating
4 ~
| Unfit persons eventually for all public
| ,ffice. The drinker forgets In his self
shness his obligations to God and his
| elbow men when he is under the tnfiu-
| nee of strong drink.
! The selection from Proverbs presents
| vivid description Of the destructive
! influence of the use Of Intoxicating
liquors. Six pointed questions portray
he iniquitous power of wine drinking
| the passage that has been well called
he drunkard's looking-glass. The
ource of earthly wretchedness, human
, sorrows that aff1ict the body and dis
| .urb the conscience, the cause of strifes
and long continued feuds. the root OF
he foolish babbling or complaining by
he drunkards tongue ''set on fire OF
| ',ell," as well as the needless wounds
md the impairment Of vision and 5udg.
! nent, are found to be in the answer OF
! he six questions to be due to drink.
The pathway. to human happiness
and health Is along the way Of total
abstinence. II one wishes to follow
that road the wise man s. advice is for
] that person not to look upon the in
toxicating cup that has been mixed
and cinnamon" so that II would appeal
| % the taste and the eye by its sparkle
Appearances deceive. They do no,
| reveal the deadliness. degradation
| danger and delirium that Is contained
In the social glass. The helplessness
md inability Of men to overcome the
power Of drink that destroys ones
personality, power and prospect OF
heaven has aroused men to fight the
evil with legislation.
The drunkard pulls others down
| with him. He units himself for serv-
ice for God, home and humanity. Pro.
hibition was sought to curb the curse
| Personal liberty ends when the vel.
I fare of the state Is involved. It Is nc
longer a question of ones indulgine
in the fulfiliment Of their social glass