[pg 737]Part XVII. Health and Temperance[pg 738]Illustration.Life In The Country. "I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health." 3 John 2.[pg 739]Good HealthIllustration.The Family Table. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, ... do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31.1. What did the apostle John wish concerning Gaius?“Beloved, I wish above all thingsthat thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”3 John 2.2. What did God promise His people anciently?“And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; andI will take sickness away from the midst of thee.”Ex. 23:25.3. Upon what conditions was freedom from disease promised?“If thou wilt diligently harken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.”Ex. 15:26.4. What does the psalmist say the Lord does for His people?“Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;who healeth all thy diseases.”Ps. 103:3.5. What constituted a large part of Christ's ministry?“Who went about doing good, andhealing all that were oppressed of the devil.”Acts 10:38. See Luke 13:16.“And Jesus went about all Galilee, ...healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”Matt. 4:23.6. Why should the health of the body be preserved?“For ye are bought with a price: thereforeglorify God in[pg 740]your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”1 Cor. 6:20.7. What is the body of the believer said to be?“What? know ye not thatyour body is the temple of the Holy Ghostwhich is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”Verse 19.8. What will God do to those who defile this temple?“If any man defile the temple of God,him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”1 Cor. 3:17.9. What example did Daniel set in this matter?“But Daniel purposed in his heartthat he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank.”Dan. 1:8.10. With what food did he ask to be provided?“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; andlet them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.”Verse 12.11. What was the original diet prescribed for man?“And God said, Behold, I have given youevery herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, andevery tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”Gen. 1:29.12. Why did the Lord restrict the Hebrews in their diet?“Forthou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.”Deut. 14:2, 3.Note.—Both mind and body are affected by the food we eat.13. What effect does cheerfulness have upon the health?“A merry heartdoeth goodlike a medicine.”Prov. 17:22.14. How did the Saviour provide rest for His disciples?“And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, andrest awhile.”Mark 6:31.15. How are we exhorted to present our bodies to God?“I beseech you ... that yepresent your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.”Rom. 12:1.16. What high purpose should control our habits of life?“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do,do all to the glory of God.”1 Cor. 10:31.[pg 741]Christian TemperanceIllustration.Signing The Pledge. "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself." Dan. 1:8.1. Concerning what did Paul reason before Felix?“He reasoned of righteousness,temperance, and judgment to come.”Acts 24:25.Note.—Temperance means habitual moderation and control in the indulgence of the appetites and passions; in other words, self-control.2. Of what is temperance a fruit?“Butthe fruit of the Spiritis love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,temperance.”Gal. 5:22, 23.Note.—“Temperance puts wood on the fire, meal in the barrel, flour in the tub, money in the purse, credit in the country, contentment in the house, clothes on the back, and vigor in the body.”—Benjamin Franklin.3. Where in Christian growth and experience is temperance placed by the apostle Peter?“Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledgetemperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”2 Peter 1:5-7. See page542.Note.—Temperance is rightly placed here as to order. Knowledge is a prerequisite to temperance, and temperance to patience. It is very difficult for an intemperate person to be patient.4. What is said of those who strive for the mastery?[pg 742]“And every man that striveth for the mastery istemperate in all things.”1 Cor. 9:25.5. In running the Christian race, what did Paul say he did?“ButI keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”Verse 27.6. Why are kings and rulers admonished to be temperate?“It is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: lest they drink, andforget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.”Prov. 31:4, 5.7. Why were priests forbidden to use intoxicating drink while engaged in the sanctuary service?“And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle: ...that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean.”Lev. 10:8-10.8. Why is indulgence in strong drink dangerous?“And be not drunk with wine,wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”Eph. 5:18.Note.—The danger in the indulgence of stimulating foods and drinks is that they create an unnatural appetite and thirst, thus leading to excess. Both food and drink should be nourishing and non-stimulating.9. For what should men eat and drink?“Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season,for strength, and not for drunkenness!”Eccl. 10:17.10. Why did Daniel refuse the food and wine of the king?“But Daniel purposed in his heartthat he would not defile himselfwith the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank.”Dan. 1:8. See Judges 13:4.11. Instead of these, what did he request?“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give uspulse to eat, andwater to drink.”Verse 12.12. At the end of the ten days' test, how did he and his companions appear?“And at the end of ten days their countenances appearedfairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.”Verse 15.13. At the end of their three years' course in the school of[pg 743]Babylon, how did the wisdom of Daniel and his companions compare with that of others?“Now at the end of the days ... the king communed with them;and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: ... and in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them,he found them ten times betterthan all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.”Verses 18-20.14. What warning is given against leading others into intemperance?“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken.”Hab. 2:15.15. What kind of professed Christians are not fellowshiped?“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or adrunkard.”1 Cor. 5:11.16. Can drunkards enter the kingdom of God?“Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nordrunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”1 Cor. 6:9, 10. See Rev. 21:27.17. For what perfection of character did the apostle pray?“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray Godyour whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blamelessunto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”1 Thess. 5:23.Note.—For notable examples of total abstinence in the Bible, see the wife of Manoah, the mother of Samson (Judges 13:4, 12-14); Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Sam. 1:15); the Rechabites (Jer. 35:1-10); and John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-15).Song Of The RyeI was made to be eaten,And not to be drank;To be threshed in the barn,Not soaked in a tank.I come as a blessingWhen put through a mill;As a blight and a curseWhen run through a still.Make me up into loaves,And your children are fed;But if into drink,I'll starve them instead.In bread I'm a servant,The eater shall rule;In drink I am master,The drinker a fool.[pg 744]Illustration.The Two Robbers. "Your money and your life."[pg 745]Evils Of IntemperanceIllustration.The Home Destroyer. "Who hath woe? who hath sorrow?... they that tarry long at the wine." Prov. 23:29, 30.1. What do the Scriptures say of wine?“Wine is amocker, strong drink israging: and whosoever isdeceivedthereby is not wise.”Prov. 20:1.Note.—All intoxicating drinks are deceptive. They seem to give strength, but in reality cause weakness; they seem to create heat, but in fact lower the general temperature; they seem to impart vitality, but really destroy life; they seem to promote happiness, but cause the greatest unhappiness and misery. To intemperance may be attributed much of the world's sorrow.2. What is one of the evil results of intemperance?“Be not among wine-bibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: for the drunkard and the glutton shall come topoverty.”Prov. 23:20, 21.3. What are other evil effects of intemperance?“Whoredom and wine and new winetake away the heart.”Hosea 4:11.“They also haveerredthrough wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; ... they err invision, they stumble injudgment.”Isa. 28:7.Note.—“One of the subtlest effects of this many-sided drug is to produce a craving for itself, while weakening the will that could resist that craving.”—“Alcohol,”by Dr. Williams, page 48.4. With what sins is drunkenness classed?[pg 746]“Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders,drunkenness, revelings, and such like.”Gal. 5:19-21.5. What are common accompaniments of intemperance?“Who hathwoe? who hathsorrow? who hathcontentions? who hathbabbling? who hathwoundswithout cause? who hathredness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.”Prov. 23:29, 30.6. How do intoxicants serve one in the end?“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”Verses 31, 32.Notes.—The effects of alcoholic liquors are thus described in the American Prohibition Year Book for 1912, pages 26, 27:—“On the Individual.Alcoholic liquors, whether fermented, brewed, or distilled, are poisonous, increasing greatly the liability to fatal termination of diseases, weakening and deranging the intellect, polluting the affections, hardening the heart, and corrupting the morals,‘bequeathing to posterity’a degeneration of physical and moral character.“On the Family.A disturber and destroyer of its peace, prosperity, and happiness, and thus removing the sure foundation for good government, national prosperity and welfare.“On the Community.Producing demoralization, vice, and wickedness, counteracting the efficacy of religious efforts and of all means for the intellectual elevation, moral purity, social happiness, and eternal good of mankind.“On the State.Promoting crime and pauperism, paralyzing thrift and industry, corrupting politics, legislation, and the execution of laws.”Alcohol tends to destroy the higher forms of cells, those directly concerned with the vital processes, particularly the delicate brain-cells, and to replace them with useless and harmful connective tissue, or what is commonly known as scar tissue. Reliable statistics demonstrate that the total abstainer has an advantage of at least twenty-one per cent over the moderate drinker.“The offspring of alcoholics show impaired vitality of the most deep-seated character, such as deformities, neuroses, which may take the severe forms of chorea, infantile convulsions, epilepsy, or idiocy.”—“Alcohol,”page 44.7. To what extent is intemperance the cause of crime?A lord chief justice of England declared,“If sifted, nine tenths of the crime of England and Wales could be traced to drink.”—“Alcohol.”8. What may be said of the use of tobacco?Being a rank poison, its use is highly injurious.Notes.—“Tobacco is the most subtle poison known to chemists, except the deadly prussic acid.”—M. Orfila, president Medical Academy, Paris.[pg 747]“Tobacco is ruinous in our schools and colleges, dwarfing body and mind.”—Dr. Willard Parker.“I shall not hesitate to pronounce tobacco in young men to be evil, and only evil, physically, mentally, and morally.”—Edward Hitchcock, of Amherst College.“The use of intoxicating liquor by men, and the use of cigarettes by boys, is creating a race of feeble-minded, unhealthy, and valueless citizens.”—John Wanamaker.“We might as well go to the insane asylum for our men as to employ cigarette smokers.”—The late E. H. Harriman, railroad magnate.“Cigarettes are ruining our children, endangering their lives, dwarfing their intellects, and making them criminals, fast. The boys who use them seem to lose all sense of right, decency, and righteousness.”—Judge Crane, of New York City.“Cigarette smoking in the case of boys partly paralyzes the nerve cells at the base of the brain, and this interferes with the breathing and heart action. The end organs of the motor nerves lose their excitability, next the trunks of the nerves, and then the spinal cord.... The power of fine coordination is decidedly lost.”—Prof. Sims Woodhead, of Cambridge University.“The use of cigarettes affects the nervous system, weakens the will-power, and destroys the ability of the boy to resist temptation; and because of this he easily falls a victim of those habits which not only destroy the mind and soul, but irresistibly lead him into a violation of the laws of the state.”—George Torrance, superintendent Illinois State Reformatory.Tobacco using is demoralizing in its general effects, and tends to create an appetite for strong drink. It originated with the natives of North America, the Indians. In November, 1492, when Columbus discovered the island of Cuba, he sent two sailors to explore it, who, when they returned, reported, among many other strange and curious discoveries, that the natives carried with them lighted firebrands, and puffed smoke from their mouths and noses, which they supposed to be the way the savages had of perfuming themselves. They afterward declared that they“saw the naked savages twist large leaves together, and smoke like devils.”Originating with the wild barbarians of America, the smoking habit, after some years, was introduced into Europe, and was rapidly adopted, not only by the lower classes, but by those in high authority, even princes and nobles participating in the new intoxication. It has since become well-nigh universal.9. Where does intemperance often begin?Intemperance often begins in the home. Many who would not think of placing on their tables wine or liquor of any kind will load them with food that creates a thirst for strong drink,—with strong tea and coffee, injurious condiments, rich pastry, highly seasoned foods, and the like.10. What will drunkards, with other workers of iniquity, never inherit?"Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nordrunkards, ... shall inheritthe kingdom of God." 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.[pg 748]The World's CurseIllustration.The Gin-Mill. "All its history is written in tears and blood."—Robert J. Burdette.1. What admonition against intemperance did Christ give that is especially applicable at the present time?“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged withsurfeiting, anddrunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”Luke 21:34.2. What did He say would be the condition of the world just before His second coming?“As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.... They wereeatinganddrinking, marrying and giving in marriage.”Matt. 24:37, 38.3. How has the consumption of liquor increased in gallons in the United States since 1840:—SpiritsWinesLiquorsTotalPer Capita184043,060,8844,873,09623,310,84371,244,8234.17185051,833,4736,316,39336,563,00994,712,8754.08186089,968,65110,933,981101,346,669202,249,3016.43187079,895,70812,225,067204,756,156296,876,9317.70188063,526,69428,098,179414,220,165505,845,03810.08189087,829,62328,945,993855,929,559972,705,17515.53190097,356,86429,988,4671,222,387,1041,349,732,43517.761910133,538,86460,548,0781,851,340,2562,045,427,01821.861911138,585,98962,859,2321,966,911,7442,169,356,69522.79[pg 749]The total consumption of alcoholic liquors in the United States for forty-two years (1870-1911) was 43,611,000,564 gallons.The drink bill of the United States for 1911 was estimated at $1,833,653,425, or nearly twice the national debt.The number of liquor dealers in the United States in 1910 was 255,765, or over a quarter of a million.The capital invested in the manufacture of liquor in the United States in 1850 was less than $10,000,000. In 1910, sixty years later, it had increased to over $770,000,000, or more than 7,700 per cent.The total internal revenue received by the United States for liquor for forty-nine years, or from 1863 to 1911, was $5,245,916,047.01.The use of whisky, beer, cigars, and cigarettes in the United States increased enormously in 1912. During the three months of July, August, and September of this year alone, 33,150,000 gallons of whisky were used, an increase of 450,000 gallons over the corresponding period of the previous year; 19,800,000 barrels of beer were drunk, an increase of 320,000 barrels over the same months of 1911; 1,950,000,000 cigars were smoked, a record consumption; and more than 3,800,000,000 cigarettes were consumed, an increase of 1,000,000,000 over the same period of the previous year.4. What can be said of intemperance in Great Britain?Speaking of intemperance in Great Britain, theEnglish Watchwordsays:—“Thanks to our brewers and publicans, and the cooperation of the magistrates who license them, and the consent of the Christian church which permits the liquor traffic to continue, we have:—“1,000,000 paupers on the rates through drink,100,000 criminals in jail through drink,50,000 lunatics in asylums through drink,60,000 deaths annually through drink, and a standing army of—60,000 confirmed drunkards.”5. To what extent is beer manufactured in the world today?The enormous extent of the beer industry in the world at the present time is indicated by the following table prepared in 1903 by Gambrinus, of Vienna:—Germany18,230United Kingdom5,547America and Australia2,210Austria-Hungary1,436Belgium3,319France3,360Russia920Sweden250Denmark370Switzerland228Holland372Other countries260Total36,502The amount of beer produced by these 36,502 breweries is estimated at considerably over 150,000,000 barrels annually.[pg 750]Gallons of Liquor Consumed Annually by the World TodayWineBeerSpiritsAustralia7,925,00047,976,0003,297,000Austria-Hungary192,800,000545,674,043120,000,000Belgium8,948,200395,285,2589,895,000Bulgaria29,100,000946,000770,000Denmark63,213,0004,000,000Dominion of Canada1,386,23539,896,6366,054,790France1,710,900,000289,103,00097,177,968German Empire79,600,0001,782,778,000124,313,300Holland1,980,0009,328,000Italy856,520,0006,725,00011,150,400New Zealand126,0007,381,000602,000Newfoundland7,200312,000364,000Norway8,756,0001,672,000Portugal108,320,000Roumania52,840,0001,320,0006,996,000Russian Empire76,620,000151,633,892232,813,382Servia6,605,000Spain428,000,00020,000,000Sweden898,20044,440,00010,730,500Switzerland22,190,00045,452,000United Kingdom26,349,8731,021,123,63238,133,721United States62,000,0001,851,342,256133,538,684Total3,673,115,7086,323,357,717810,836,745Grand total, 10,807,310,170 gallons.—American Prohibition Year Book, 1912.Comparative Annual Cost of Liquor and Other Things in the United StatesIntoxicating liquor$1,752,000,000Tobacco1,200,000,000Iron and steel1,035,000,000Jewelry and plate800,000,000Printing and publishing750,000,000Lumber700,000,000Cotton goods675,000,000Automobiles500,000,000Woolen and worsted goods475,000,000Flour455,000,000Boots and shoes450,000,000Panama Canal400,000,000Public education371,000,000Sugar and molasses310,000,000Furniture245,000,000Silk goods240,000,000Potatoes.210,000,000Confectionery200,000,000Church and home work175,000,000Soft drinks120,000,000Tea and coffee100,000,000Brick100,000,000Millinery90,000,000Patent medicines80,000,000Chewing-gum13,000,000Foreign missions12,000,000[pg 751]Notes.—“Grape-Juice has killed more people than grape-shot.”—Spurgeon.“O that men should put an enemy in their mouths, to steal away their brains!”—Shakespeare.“The liquor traffic is the most degrading and ruinous of all human pursuits.”—William McKinley.“All its history is written in tears and blood.”—Robert J. Burdette.“In every community three things always work together,—the grog-shop, the jail, and the gallows,—an infernal trinity.”—Henry Ward Beecher.“Give me a sober population, not wasting their earnings in strong drink, and I will know where to get my revenue.”—William E. Gladstone.“I have looked into a thousand homes of the working people of Europe; I do not know how many in this country. In every case, as far as my observation goes, drunkenness was at the bottom of the misery.”—Carroll D. Wright, former Commissioner of Labor, U. S. A.“The liquor traffic is a hydra-headed monster, which, with ceaseless and tireless energy, wastes the substance of the poor, manufactures burdensome taxes for the public, monopolizes the time of courts, fills the jails and penitentiaries and asylums, terrorizes helpless women and children, and mocks the law.”—Gen. Nelson A. Miles.“I have no sympathy with the statement, so often made, that the manufacture and sale of liquor have contributed to the industrial development of the nation. On the contrary, I believe that liquor has contributed more to the moral, intellectual, and material deterioration of the people, and has brought more misery to defenseless women and children, than has any other agency in the history of mankind.”—John Mitchell, vice-president American Federation of Labor.“The saloon is the mortal enemy of peace and order, the despoiler of man and the terror of women, the cloud that shadows the face of children, the demon that has dug more graves and sent more souls unshriven to judgment than all the plagues that have wasted life since the plagues of Egypt, or all the wars since Joshua stood before Jericho.”—Henry W. Grady.What A Barrel Of Whisky ContainsA barrel of headaches, of heartaches, of woes;A barrel of curses, a barrel of blows;A barrel of sorrow for a loving, weary wife;A barrel of care, a barrel of strife;A barrel of unavailing regret;A barrel of cares, a barrel of debt;A barrel of hunger, of poison, of pain;A barrel of hopes all blasted and vain;A barrel of poverty, ruin, and blight;A barrel of tears that run in the night;A barrel of crime, a barrel of groans;A barrel of orphans' most pitiful moans;A barrel of serpents that hiss as they pass,That glow from the liquor in the bead of the glass;A barrel of falsehoods; a barrel of criesThat fall from the maniac's lips as he dies![pg 752]Scripture Admonitions (A Responsive Reading)Illustration.The Home Crusher. "The drunkard ... shall come to poverty." Prov. 23:21.“Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!”Isa. 5:11.“And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of His hands.”Verse 12.“And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee.”Lev. 10:8, 9.“They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.”Isa. 24:9.“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink.”Prov. 31:4.“Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower.”Isa. 28:1.“He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.”Prov. 21:17.“For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”Prov. 23:21.“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also.”Hab. 2:15.“Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink.”Isa. 5:22.[pg 753]“Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”Eph. 5:18.“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”Prov. 20:1.“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?”Prov. 23:29.“They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.”Verse 30.“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.”Verse 31.“At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”Verse 32.“Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”1 Cor. 6:9, 10.“Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing.”Judges 13:4.“Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”1 Cor. 6:19.“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”Verse 20.“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”1 Cor. 10:31.Look not upon the wineThat sparkles in its flow,For death is slumbering there,Beneath its ruddy glow.No happiness it bringeth,At last it only stingeth;It biteth, and it wringethThe heart with bitter woe.Lift up the tempted soulNow fallen in despair,Direct his thoughts above,To God, who heareth prayer.His arm in mighty powerCan bid the demon cower,And in temptation's hourWill an escape prepare.F. E. Belden.[pg 754]Illustration.The Guardian Angel. "What maintains one vice would bring up two children."—Benjamin Franklin.[pg 755]True Temperance ReformIllustration.Save The Boys. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Prov. 22:6.1. What was the original food provided for man?“And God said, Behold, I have given you everyherbbearingseed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and everytree, in the which isthe fruit of a treeyieldingseed; to you it shall be for meat.”Gen. 1:29.Note.—In other words, vegetables, grains, fruits, and nuts.2. After the flood what other food was indicated as permissible?“Every moving thing that livethshall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.”Gen. 9:3.Note.—From this it is evident that flesh food was not included in the original diet provided for man, but that on account of the changed conditions resulting from the fall and the flood, its use was permitted.3. When God chose Israel for His people, what kinds of flesh food were excluded from their diet?Those called unclean. See Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.4. What special food did God provide for the children of Israel during their forty years' wandering in the wilderness?[pg 756]“Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rainbread from heavenfor you.”“And the children of Israel did eatmannaforty years, until they came to a land inhabited.”Ex. 16:4, 35.5. At the same time what did God promise to do for them?“I will takesicknessaway from the midst of thee.”Ex. 23:25.6. What testimony does the psalmist bear regarding their physical condition?“There was not one feeble person among their tribes.”Ps. 105:37.Note.—When they complained at God's dealings with them, and longed for the food of Egypt, God gave them their desires, but sent“leanness into their soul.”See Numbers 11; Ps. 106:13-15; 1 Cor. 10:6. Like many today, they were not content with a simple but wholesome and nourishing diet.7. Where, above all, should true temperance reform begin?In the home.Note.—Unless fathers and mothers practise temperance, they cannot expect their children to do so.8. What classes of men especially should be strictly temperate?“Be thou anexampleof the believers.”1 Tim. 4:12.Note.—Of all men in the world, ministers and physicians should lead strictly temperate lives. The welfare of society demands this of them, for their influence is constantly telling for or against moral reform and the improvement of society. By precept and example they can do much toward bringing about the much-needed reform.9. Can the fact that the liquor traffic brings in a large revenue to the state justify men in licensing it?“Woe to him that buildeth a town withblood, and stablisheth a city byiniquity.”Hab. 2:12.Note.—In all the walks and relationships of life, whether in the home, the medical profession, the pulpit, or the legislative assembly, men should stand for temperance. To license the liquor traffic is to legalize and foster it. It cannot exist nor thrive without the patronage of each rising generation, a large number of whom it must necessarily ruin, body, soul, and spirit. For the state to receive money from such a source, therefore, must be highly reprehensible. The practise has fittingly been likened to a father catching sharks, and baiting his hook with his own children.[pg 757]
[pg 737]Part XVII. Health and Temperance[pg 738]Illustration.Life In The Country. "I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health." 3 John 2.[pg 739]Good HealthIllustration.The Family Table. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, ... do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31.1. What did the apostle John wish concerning Gaius?“Beloved, I wish above all thingsthat thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”3 John 2.2. What did God promise His people anciently?“And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; andI will take sickness away from the midst of thee.”Ex. 23:25.3. Upon what conditions was freedom from disease promised?“If thou wilt diligently harken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.”Ex. 15:26.4. What does the psalmist say the Lord does for His people?“Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;who healeth all thy diseases.”Ps. 103:3.5. What constituted a large part of Christ's ministry?“Who went about doing good, andhealing all that were oppressed of the devil.”Acts 10:38. See Luke 13:16.“And Jesus went about all Galilee, ...healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”Matt. 4:23.6. Why should the health of the body be preserved?“For ye are bought with a price: thereforeglorify God in[pg 740]your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”1 Cor. 6:20.7. What is the body of the believer said to be?“What? know ye not thatyour body is the temple of the Holy Ghostwhich is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”Verse 19.8. What will God do to those who defile this temple?“If any man defile the temple of God,him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”1 Cor. 3:17.9. What example did Daniel set in this matter?“But Daniel purposed in his heartthat he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank.”Dan. 1:8.10. With what food did he ask to be provided?“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; andlet them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.”Verse 12.11. What was the original diet prescribed for man?“And God said, Behold, I have given youevery herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, andevery tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”Gen. 1:29.12. Why did the Lord restrict the Hebrews in their diet?“Forthou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.”Deut. 14:2, 3.Note.—Both mind and body are affected by the food we eat.13. What effect does cheerfulness have upon the health?“A merry heartdoeth goodlike a medicine.”Prov. 17:22.14. How did the Saviour provide rest for His disciples?“And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, andrest awhile.”Mark 6:31.15. How are we exhorted to present our bodies to God?“I beseech you ... that yepresent your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.”Rom. 12:1.16. What high purpose should control our habits of life?“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do,do all to the glory of God.”1 Cor. 10:31.[pg 741]Christian TemperanceIllustration.Signing The Pledge. "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself." Dan. 1:8.1. Concerning what did Paul reason before Felix?“He reasoned of righteousness,temperance, and judgment to come.”Acts 24:25.Note.—Temperance means habitual moderation and control in the indulgence of the appetites and passions; in other words, self-control.2. Of what is temperance a fruit?“Butthe fruit of the Spiritis love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,temperance.”Gal. 5:22, 23.Note.—“Temperance puts wood on the fire, meal in the barrel, flour in the tub, money in the purse, credit in the country, contentment in the house, clothes on the back, and vigor in the body.”—Benjamin Franklin.3. Where in Christian growth and experience is temperance placed by the apostle Peter?“Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledgetemperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”2 Peter 1:5-7. See page542.Note.—Temperance is rightly placed here as to order. Knowledge is a prerequisite to temperance, and temperance to patience. It is very difficult for an intemperate person to be patient.4. What is said of those who strive for the mastery?[pg 742]“And every man that striveth for the mastery istemperate in all things.”1 Cor. 9:25.5. In running the Christian race, what did Paul say he did?“ButI keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”Verse 27.6. Why are kings and rulers admonished to be temperate?“It is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: lest they drink, andforget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.”Prov. 31:4, 5.7. Why were priests forbidden to use intoxicating drink while engaged in the sanctuary service?“And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle: ...that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean.”Lev. 10:8-10.8. Why is indulgence in strong drink dangerous?“And be not drunk with wine,wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”Eph. 5:18.Note.—The danger in the indulgence of stimulating foods and drinks is that they create an unnatural appetite and thirst, thus leading to excess. Both food and drink should be nourishing and non-stimulating.9. For what should men eat and drink?“Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season,for strength, and not for drunkenness!”Eccl. 10:17.10. Why did Daniel refuse the food and wine of the king?“But Daniel purposed in his heartthat he would not defile himselfwith the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank.”Dan. 1:8. See Judges 13:4.11. Instead of these, what did he request?“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give uspulse to eat, andwater to drink.”Verse 12.12. At the end of the ten days' test, how did he and his companions appear?“And at the end of ten days their countenances appearedfairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.”Verse 15.13. At the end of their three years' course in the school of[pg 743]Babylon, how did the wisdom of Daniel and his companions compare with that of others?“Now at the end of the days ... the king communed with them;and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: ... and in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them,he found them ten times betterthan all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.”Verses 18-20.14. What warning is given against leading others into intemperance?“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken.”Hab. 2:15.15. What kind of professed Christians are not fellowshiped?“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or adrunkard.”1 Cor. 5:11.16. Can drunkards enter the kingdom of God?“Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nordrunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”1 Cor. 6:9, 10. See Rev. 21:27.17. For what perfection of character did the apostle pray?“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray Godyour whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blamelessunto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”1 Thess. 5:23.Note.—For notable examples of total abstinence in the Bible, see the wife of Manoah, the mother of Samson (Judges 13:4, 12-14); Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Sam. 1:15); the Rechabites (Jer. 35:1-10); and John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-15).Song Of The RyeI was made to be eaten,And not to be drank;To be threshed in the barn,Not soaked in a tank.I come as a blessingWhen put through a mill;As a blight and a curseWhen run through a still.Make me up into loaves,And your children are fed;But if into drink,I'll starve them instead.In bread I'm a servant,The eater shall rule;In drink I am master,The drinker a fool.[pg 744]Illustration.The Two Robbers. "Your money and your life."[pg 745]Evils Of IntemperanceIllustration.The Home Destroyer. "Who hath woe? who hath sorrow?... they that tarry long at the wine." Prov. 23:29, 30.1. What do the Scriptures say of wine?“Wine is amocker, strong drink israging: and whosoever isdeceivedthereby is not wise.”Prov. 20:1.Note.—All intoxicating drinks are deceptive. They seem to give strength, but in reality cause weakness; they seem to create heat, but in fact lower the general temperature; they seem to impart vitality, but really destroy life; they seem to promote happiness, but cause the greatest unhappiness and misery. To intemperance may be attributed much of the world's sorrow.2. What is one of the evil results of intemperance?“Be not among wine-bibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: for the drunkard and the glutton shall come topoverty.”Prov. 23:20, 21.3. What are other evil effects of intemperance?“Whoredom and wine and new winetake away the heart.”Hosea 4:11.“They also haveerredthrough wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; ... they err invision, they stumble injudgment.”Isa. 28:7.Note.—“One of the subtlest effects of this many-sided drug is to produce a craving for itself, while weakening the will that could resist that craving.”—“Alcohol,”by Dr. Williams, page 48.4. With what sins is drunkenness classed?[pg 746]“Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders,drunkenness, revelings, and such like.”Gal. 5:19-21.5. What are common accompaniments of intemperance?“Who hathwoe? who hathsorrow? who hathcontentions? who hathbabbling? who hathwoundswithout cause? who hathredness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.”Prov. 23:29, 30.6. How do intoxicants serve one in the end?“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”Verses 31, 32.Notes.—The effects of alcoholic liquors are thus described in the American Prohibition Year Book for 1912, pages 26, 27:—“On the Individual.Alcoholic liquors, whether fermented, brewed, or distilled, are poisonous, increasing greatly the liability to fatal termination of diseases, weakening and deranging the intellect, polluting the affections, hardening the heart, and corrupting the morals,‘bequeathing to posterity’a degeneration of physical and moral character.“On the Family.A disturber and destroyer of its peace, prosperity, and happiness, and thus removing the sure foundation for good government, national prosperity and welfare.“On the Community.Producing demoralization, vice, and wickedness, counteracting the efficacy of religious efforts and of all means for the intellectual elevation, moral purity, social happiness, and eternal good of mankind.“On the State.Promoting crime and pauperism, paralyzing thrift and industry, corrupting politics, legislation, and the execution of laws.”Alcohol tends to destroy the higher forms of cells, those directly concerned with the vital processes, particularly the delicate brain-cells, and to replace them with useless and harmful connective tissue, or what is commonly known as scar tissue. Reliable statistics demonstrate that the total abstainer has an advantage of at least twenty-one per cent over the moderate drinker.“The offspring of alcoholics show impaired vitality of the most deep-seated character, such as deformities, neuroses, which may take the severe forms of chorea, infantile convulsions, epilepsy, or idiocy.”—“Alcohol,”page 44.7. To what extent is intemperance the cause of crime?A lord chief justice of England declared,“If sifted, nine tenths of the crime of England and Wales could be traced to drink.”—“Alcohol.”8. What may be said of the use of tobacco?Being a rank poison, its use is highly injurious.Notes.—“Tobacco is the most subtle poison known to chemists, except the deadly prussic acid.”—M. Orfila, president Medical Academy, Paris.[pg 747]“Tobacco is ruinous in our schools and colleges, dwarfing body and mind.”—Dr. Willard Parker.“I shall not hesitate to pronounce tobacco in young men to be evil, and only evil, physically, mentally, and morally.”—Edward Hitchcock, of Amherst College.“The use of intoxicating liquor by men, and the use of cigarettes by boys, is creating a race of feeble-minded, unhealthy, and valueless citizens.”—John Wanamaker.“We might as well go to the insane asylum for our men as to employ cigarette smokers.”—The late E. H. Harriman, railroad magnate.“Cigarettes are ruining our children, endangering their lives, dwarfing their intellects, and making them criminals, fast. The boys who use them seem to lose all sense of right, decency, and righteousness.”—Judge Crane, of New York City.“Cigarette smoking in the case of boys partly paralyzes the nerve cells at the base of the brain, and this interferes with the breathing and heart action. The end organs of the motor nerves lose their excitability, next the trunks of the nerves, and then the spinal cord.... The power of fine coordination is decidedly lost.”—Prof. Sims Woodhead, of Cambridge University.“The use of cigarettes affects the nervous system, weakens the will-power, and destroys the ability of the boy to resist temptation; and because of this he easily falls a victim of those habits which not only destroy the mind and soul, but irresistibly lead him into a violation of the laws of the state.”—George Torrance, superintendent Illinois State Reformatory.Tobacco using is demoralizing in its general effects, and tends to create an appetite for strong drink. It originated with the natives of North America, the Indians. In November, 1492, when Columbus discovered the island of Cuba, he sent two sailors to explore it, who, when they returned, reported, among many other strange and curious discoveries, that the natives carried with them lighted firebrands, and puffed smoke from their mouths and noses, which they supposed to be the way the savages had of perfuming themselves. They afterward declared that they“saw the naked savages twist large leaves together, and smoke like devils.”Originating with the wild barbarians of America, the smoking habit, after some years, was introduced into Europe, and was rapidly adopted, not only by the lower classes, but by those in high authority, even princes and nobles participating in the new intoxication. It has since become well-nigh universal.9. Where does intemperance often begin?Intemperance often begins in the home. Many who would not think of placing on their tables wine or liquor of any kind will load them with food that creates a thirst for strong drink,—with strong tea and coffee, injurious condiments, rich pastry, highly seasoned foods, and the like.10. What will drunkards, with other workers of iniquity, never inherit?"Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nordrunkards, ... shall inheritthe kingdom of God." 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.[pg 748]The World's CurseIllustration.The Gin-Mill. "All its history is written in tears and blood."—Robert J. Burdette.1. What admonition against intemperance did Christ give that is especially applicable at the present time?“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged withsurfeiting, anddrunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”Luke 21:34.2. What did He say would be the condition of the world just before His second coming?“As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.... They wereeatinganddrinking, marrying and giving in marriage.”Matt. 24:37, 38.3. How has the consumption of liquor increased in gallons in the United States since 1840:—SpiritsWinesLiquorsTotalPer Capita184043,060,8844,873,09623,310,84371,244,8234.17185051,833,4736,316,39336,563,00994,712,8754.08186089,968,65110,933,981101,346,669202,249,3016.43187079,895,70812,225,067204,756,156296,876,9317.70188063,526,69428,098,179414,220,165505,845,03810.08189087,829,62328,945,993855,929,559972,705,17515.53190097,356,86429,988,4671,222,387,1041,349,732,43517.761910133,538,86460,548,0781,851,340,2562,045,427,01821.861911138,585,98962,859,2321,966,911,7442,169,356,69522.79[pg 749]The total consumption of alcoholic liquors in the United States for forty-two years (1870-1911) was 43,611,000,564 gallons.The drink bill of the United States for 1911 was estimated at $1,833,653,425, or nearly twice the national debt.The number of liquor dealers in the United States in 1910 was 255,765, or over a quarter of a million.The capital invested in the manufacture of liquor in the United States in 1850 was less than $10,000,000. In 1910, sixty years later, it had increased to over $770,000,000, or more than 7,700 per cent.The total internal revenue received by the United States for liquor for forty-nine years, or from 1863 to 1911, was $5,245,916,047.01.The use of whisky, beer, cigars, and cigarettes in the United States increased enormously in 1912. During the three months of July, August, and September of this year alone, 33,150,000 gallons of whisky were used, an increase of 450,000 gallons over the corresponding period of the previous year; 19,800,000 barrels of beer were drunk, an increase of 320,000 barrels over the same months of 1911; 1,950,000,000 cigars were smoked, a record consumption; and more than 3,800,000,000 cigarettes were consumed, an increase of 1,000,000,000 over the same period of the previous year.4. What can be said of intemperance in Great Britain?Speaking of intemperance in Great Britain, theEnglish Watchwordsays:—“Thanks to our brewers and publicans, and the cooperation of the magistrates who license them, and the consent of the Christian church which permits the liquor traffic to continue, we have:—“1,000,000 paupers on the rates through drink,100,000 criminals in jail through drink,50,000 lunatics in asylums through drink,60,000 deaths annually through drink, and a standing army of—60,000 confirmed drunkards.”5. To what extent is beer manufactured in the world today?The enormous extent of the beer industry in the world at the present time is indicated by the following table prepared in 1903 by Gambrinus, of Vienna:—Germany18,230United Kingdom5,547America and Australia2,210Austria-Hungary1,436Belgium3,319France3,360Russia920Sweden250Denmark370Switzerland228Holland372Other countries260Total36,502The amount of beer produced by these 36,502 breweries is estimated at considerably over 150,000,000 barrels annually.[pg 750]Gallons of Liquor Consumed Annually by the World TodayWineBeerSpiritsAustralia7,925,00047,976,0003,297,000Austria-Hungary192,800,000545,674,043120,000,000Belgium8,948,200395,285,2589,895,000Bulgaria29,100,000946,000770,000Denmark63,213,0004,000,000Dominion of Canada1,386,23539,896,6366,054,790France1,710,900,000289,103,00097,177,968German Empire79,600,0001,782,778,000124,313,300Holland1,980,0009,328,000Italy856,520,0006,725,00011,150,400New Zealand126,0007,381,000602,000Newfoundland7,200312,000364,000Norway8,756,0001,672,000Portugal108,320,000Roumania52,840,0001,320,0006,996,000Russian Empire76,620,000151,633,892232,813,382Servia6,605,000Spain428,000,00020,000,000Sweden898,20044,440,00010,730,500Switzerland22,190,00045,452,000United Kingdom26,349,8731,021,123,63238,133,721United States62,000,0001,851,342,256133,538,684Total3,673,115,7086,323,357,717810,836,745Grand total, 10,807,310,170 gallons.—American Prohibition Year Book, 1912.Comparative Annual Cost of Liquor and Other Things in the United StatesIntoxicating liquor$1,752,000,000Tobacco1,200,000,000Iron and steel1,035,000,000Jewelry and plate800,000,000Printing and publishing750,000,000Lumber700,000,000Cotton goods675,000,000Automobiles500,000,000Woolen and worsted goods475,000,000Flour455,000,000Boots and shoes450,000,000Panama Canal400,000,000Public education371,000,000Sugar and molasses310,000,000Furniture245,000,000Silk goods240,000,000Potatoes.210,000,000Confectionery200,000,000Church and home work175,000,000Soft drinks120,000,000Tea and coffee100,000,000Brick100,000,000Millinery90,000,000Patent medicines80,000,000Chewing-gum13,000,000Foreign missions12,000,000[pg 751]Notes.—“Grape-Juice has killed more people than grape-shot.”—Spurgeon.“O that men should put an enemy in their mouths, to steal away their brains!”—Shakespeare.“The liquor traffic is the most degrading and ruinous of all human pursuits.”—William McKinley.“All its history is written in tears and blood.”—Robert J. Burdette.“In every community three things always work together,—the grog-shop, the jail, and the gallows,—an infernal trinity.”—Henry Ward Beecher.“Give me a sober population, not wasting their earnings in strong drink, and I will know where to get my revenue.”—William E. Gladstone.“I have looked into a thousand homes of the working people of Europe; I do not know how many in this country. In every case, as far as my observation goes, drunkenness was at the bottom of the misery.”—Carroll D. Wright, former Commissioner of Labor, U. S. A.“The liquor traffic is a hydra-headed monster, which, with ceaseless and tireless energy, wastes the substance of the poor, manufactures burdensome taxes for the public, monopolizes the time of courts, fills the jails and penitentiaries and asylums, terrorizes helpless women and children, and mocks the law.”—Gen. Nelson A. Miles.“I have no sympathy with the statement, so often made, that the manufacture and sale of liquor have contributed to the industrial development of the nation. On the contrary, I believe that liquor has contributed more to the moral, intellectual, and material deterioration of the people, and has brought more misery to defenseless women and children, than has any other agency in the history of mankind.”—John Mitchell, vice-president American Federation of Labor.“The saloon is the mortal enemy of peace and order, the despoiler of man and the terror of women, the cloud that shadows the face of children, the demon that has dug more graves and sent more souls unshriven to judgment than all the plagues that have wasted life since the plagues of Egypt, or all the wars since Joshua stood before Jericho.”—Henry W. Grady.What A Barrel Of Whisky ContainsA barrel of headaches, of heartaches, of woes;A barrel of curses, a barrel of blows;A barrel of sorrow for a loving, weary wife;A barrel of care, a barrel of strife;A barrel of unavailing regret;A barrel of cares, a barrel of debt;A barrel of hunger, of poison, of pain;A barrel of hopes all blasted and vain;A barrel of poverty, ruin, and blight;A barrel of tears that run in the night;A barrel of crime, a barrel of groans;A barrel of orphans' most pitiful moans;A barrel of serpents that hiss as they pass,That glow from the liquor in the bead of the glass;A barrel of falsehoods; a barrel of criesThat fall from the maniac's lips as he dies![pg 752]Scripture Admonitions (A Responsive Reading)Illustration.The Home Crusher. "The drunkard ... shall come to poverty." Prov. 23:21.“Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!”Isa. 5:11.“And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of His hands.”Verse 12.“And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee.”Lev. 10:8, 9.“They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.”Isa. 24:9.“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink.”Prov. 31:4.“Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower.”Isa. 28:1.“He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.”Prov. 21:17.“For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”Prov. 23:21.“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also.”Hab. 2:15.“Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink.”Isa. 5:22.[pg 753]“Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”Eph. 5:18.“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”Prov. 20:1.“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?”Prov. 23:29.“They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.”Verse 30.“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.”Verse 31.“At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”Verse 32.“Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”1 Cor. 6:9, 10.“Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing.”Judges 13:4.“Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”1 Cor. 6:19.“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”Verse 20.“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”1 Cor. 10:31.Look not upon the wineThat sparkles in its flow,For death is slumbering there,Beneath its ruddy glow.No happiness it bringeth,At last it only stingeth;It biteth, and it wringethThe heart with bitter woe.Lift up the tempted soulNow fallen in despair,Direct his thoughts above,To God, who heareth prayer.His arm in mighty powerCan bid the demon cower,And in temptation's hourWill an escape prepare.F. E. Belden.[pg 754]Illustration.The Guardian Angel. "What maintains one vice would bring up two children."—Benjamin Franklin.[pg 755]True Temperance ReformIllustration.Save The Boys. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Prov. 22:6.1. What was the original food provided for man?“And God said, Behold, I have given you everyherbbearingseed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and everytree, in the which isthe fruit of a treeyieldingseed; to you it shall be for meat.”Gen. 1:29.Note.—In other words, vegetables, grains, fruits, and nuts.2. After the flood what other food was indicated as permissible?“Every moving thing that livethshall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.”Gen. 9:3.Note.—From this it is evident that flesh food was not included in the original diet provided for man, but that on account of the changed conditions resulting from the fall and the flood, its use was permitted.3. When God chose Israel for His people, what kinds of flesh food were excluded from their diet?Those called unclean. See Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.4. What special food did God provide for the children of Israel during their forty years' wandering in the wilderness?[pg 756]“Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rainbread from heavenfor you.”“And the children of Israel did eatmannaforty years, until they came to a land inhabited.”Ex. 16:4, 35.5. At the same time what did God promise to do for them?“I will takesicknessaway from the midst of thee.”Ex. 23:25.6. What testimony does the psalmist bear regarding their physical condition?“There was not one feeble person among their tribes.”Ps. 105:37.Note.—When they complained at God's dealings with them, and longed for the food of Egypt, God gave them their desires, but sent“leanness into their soul.”See Numbers 11; Ps. 106:13-15; 1 Cor. 10:6. Like many today, they were not content with a simple but wholesome and nourishing diet.7. Where, above all, should true temperance reform begin?In the home.Note.—Unless fathers and mothers practise temperance, they cannot expect their children to do so.8. What classes of men especially should be strictly temperate?“Be thou anexampleof the believers.”1 Tim. 4:12.Note.—Of all men in the world, ministers and physicians should lead strictly temperate lives. The welfare of society demands this of them, for their influence is constantly telling for or against moral reform and the improvement of society. By precept and example they can do much toward bringing about the much-needed reform.9. Can the fact that the liquor traffic brings in a large revenue to the state justify men in licensing it?“Woe to him that buildeth a town withblood, and stablisheth a city byiniquity.”Hab. 2:12.Note.—In all the walks and relationships of life, whether in the home, the medical profession, the pulpit, or the legislative assembly, men should stand for temperance. To license the liquor traffic is to legalize and foster it. It cannot exist nor thrive without the patronage of each rising generation, a large number of whom it must necessarily ruin, body, soul, and spirit. For the state to receive money from such a source, therefore, must be highly reprehensible. The practise has fittingly been likened to a father catching sharks, and baiting his hook with his own children.[pg 757]
Part XVII. Health and Temperance[pg 738]Illustration.Life In The Country. "I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health." 3 John 2.[pg 739]Good HealthIllustration.The Family Table. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, ... do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31.1. What did the apostle John wish concerning Gaius?“Beloved, I wish above all thingsthat thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”3 John 2.2. What did God promise His people anciently?“And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; andI will take sickness away from the midst of thee.”Ex. 23:25.3. Upon what conditions was freedom from disease promised?“If thou wilt diligently harken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.”Ex. 15:26.4. What does the psalmist say the Lord does for His people?“Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;who healeth all thy diseases.”Ps. 103:3.5. What constituted a large part of Christ's ministry?“Who went about doing good, andhealing all that were oppressed of the devil.”Acts 10:38. See Luke 13:16.“And Jesus went about all Galilee, ...healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”Matt. 4:23.6. Why should the health of the body be preserved?“For ye are bought with a price: thereforeglorify God in[pg 740]your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”1 Cor. 6:20.7. What is the body of the believer said to be?“What? know ye not thatyour body is the temple of the Holy Ghostwhich is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”Verse 19.8. What will God do to those who defile this temple?“If any man defile the temple of God,him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”1 Cor. 3:17.9. What example did Daniel set in this matter?“But Daniel purposed in his heartthat he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank.”Dan. 1:8.10. With what food did he ask to be provided?“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; andlet them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.”Verse 12.11. What was the original diet prescribed for man?“And God said, Behold, I have given youevery herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, andevery tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”Gen. 1:29.12. Why did the Lord restrict the Hebrews in their diet?“Forthou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.”Deut. 14:2, 3.Note.—Both mind and body are affected by the food we eat.13. What effect does cheerfulness have upon the health?“A merry heartdoeth goodlike a medicine.”Prov. 17:22.14. How did the Saviour provide rest for His disciples?“And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, andrest awhile.”Mark 6:31.15. How are we exhorted to present our bodies to God?“I beseech you ... that yepresent your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.”Rom. 12:1.16. What high purpose should control our habits of life?“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do,do all to the glory of God.”1 Cor. 10:31.[pg 741]Christian TemperanceIllustration.Signing The Pledge. "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself." Dan. 1:8.1. Concerning what did Paul reason before Felix?“He reasoned of righteousness,temperance, and judgment to come.”Acts 24:25.Note.—Temperance means habitual moderation and control in the indulgence of the appetites and passions; in other words, self-control.2. Of what is temperance a fruit?“Butthe fruit of the Spiritis love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,temperance.”Gal. 5:22, 23.Note.—“Temperance puts wood on the fire, meal in the barrel, flour in the tub, money in the purse, credit in the country, contentment in the house, clothes on the back, and vigor in the body.”—Benjamin Franklin.3. Where in Christian growth and experience is temperance placed by the apostle Peter?“Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledgetemperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”2 Peter 1:5-7. See page542.Note.—Temperance is rightly placed here as to order. Knowledge is a prerequisite to temperance, and temperance to patience. It is very difficult for an intemperate person to be patient.4. What is said of those who strive for the mastery?[pg 742]“And every man that striveth for the mastery istemperate in all things.”1 Cor. 9:25.5. In running the Christian race, what did Paul say he did?“ButI keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”Verse 27.6. Why are kings and rulers admonished to be temperate?“It is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: lest they drink, andforget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.”Prov. 31:4, 5.7. Why were priests forbidden to use intoxicating drink while engaged in the sanctuary service?“And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle: ...that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean.”Lev. 10:8-10.8. Why is indulgence in strong drink dangerous?“And be not drunk with wine,wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”Eph. 5:18.Note.—The danger in the indulgence of stimulating foods and drinks is that they create an unnatural appetite and thirst, thus leading to excess. Both food and drink should be nourishing and non-stimulating.9. For what should men eat and drink?“Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season,for strength, and not for drunkenness!”Eccl. 10:17.10. Why did Daniel refuse the food and wine of the king?“But Daniel purposed in his heartthat he would not defile himselfwith the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank.”Dan. 1:8. See Judges 13:4.11. Instead of these, what did he request?“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give uspulse to eat, andwater to drink.”Verse 12.12. At the end of the ten days' test, how did he and his companions appear?“And at the end of ten days their countenances appearedfairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.”Verse 15.13. At the end of their three years' course in the school of[pg 743]Babylon, how did the wisdom of Daniel and his companions compare with that of others?“Now at the end of the days ... the king communed with them;and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: ... and in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them,he found them ten times betterthan all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.”Verses 18-20.14. What warning is given against leading others into intemperance?“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken.”Hab. 2:15.15. What kind of professed Christians are not fellowshiped?“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or adrunkard.”1 Cor. 5:11.16. Can drunkards enter the kingdom of God?“Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nordrunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”1 Cor. 6:9, 10. See Rev. 21:27.17. For what perfection of character did the apostle pray?“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray Godyour whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blamelessunto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”1 Thess. 5:23.Note.—For notable examples of total abstinence in the Bible, see the wife of Manoah, the mother of Samson (Judges 13:4, 12-14); Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Sam. 1:15); the Rechabites (Jer. 35:1-10); and John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-15).Song Of The RyeI was made to be eaten,And not to be drank;To be threshed in the barn,Not soaked in a tank.I come as a blessingWhen put through a mill;As a blight and a curseWhen run through a still.Make me up into loaves,And your children are fed;But if into drink,I'll starve them instead.In bread I'm a servant,The eater shall rule;In drink I am master,The drinker a fool.[pg 744]Illustration.The Two Robbers. "Your money and your life."[pg 745]Evils Of IntemperanceIllustration.The Home Destroyer. "Who hath woe? who hath sorrow?... they that tarry long at the wine." Prov. 23:29, 30.1. What do the Scriptures say of wine?“Wine is amocker, strong drink israging: and whosoever isdeceivedthereby is not wise.”Prov. 20:1.Note.—All intoxicating drinks are deceptive. They seem to give strength, but in reality cause weakness; they seem to create heat, but in fact lower the general temperature; they seem to impart vitality, but really destroy life; they seem to promote happiness, but cause the greatest unhappiness and misery. To intemperance may be attributed much of the world's sorrow.2. What is one of the evil results of intemperance?“Be not among wine-bibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: for the drunkard and the glutton shall come topoverty.”Prov. 23:20, 21.3. What are other evil effects of intemperance?“Whoredom and wine and new winetake away the heart.”Hosea 4:11.“They also haveerredthrough wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; ... they err invision, they stumble injudgment.”Isa. 28:7.Note.—“One of the subtlest effects of this many-sided drug is to produce a craving for itself, while weakening the will that could resist that craving.”—“Alcohol,”by Dr. Williams, page 48.4. With what sins is drunkenness classed?[pg 746]“Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders,drunkenness, revelings, and such like.”Gal. 5:19-21.5. What are common accompaniments of intemperance?“Who hathwoe? who hathsorrow? who hathcontentions? who hathbabbling? who hathwoundswithout cause? who hathredness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.”Prov. 23:29, 30.6. How do intoxicants serve one in the end?“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”Verses 31, 32.Notes.—The effects of alcoholic liquors are thus described in the American Prohibition Year Book for 1912, pages 26, 27:—“On the Individual.Alcoholic liquors, whether fermented, brewed, or distilled, are poisonous, increasing greatly the liability to fatal termination of diseases, weakening and deranging the intellect, polluting the affections, hardening the heart, and corrupting the morals,‘bequeathing to posterity’a degeneration of physical and moral character.“On the Family.A disturber and destroyer of its peace, prosperity, and happiness, and thus removing the sure foundation for good government, national prosperity and welfare.“On the Community.Producing demoralization, vice, and wickedness, counteracting the efficacy of religious efforts and of all means for the intellectual elevation, moral purity, social happiness, and eternal good of mankind.“On the State.Promoting crime and pauperism, paralyzing thrift and industry, corrupting politics, legislation, and the execution of laws.”Alcohol tends to destroy the higher forms of cells, those directly concerned with the vital processes, particularly the delicate brain-cells, and to replace them with useless and harmful connective tissue, or what is commonly known as scar tissue. Reliable statistics demonstrate that the total abstainer has an advantage of at least twenty-one per cent over the moderate drinker.“The offspring of alcoholics show impaired vitality of the most deep-seated character, such as deformities, neuroses, which may take the severe forms of chorea, infantile convulsions, epilepsy, or idiocy.”—“Alcohol,”page 44.7. To what extent is intemperance the cause of crime?A lord chief justice of England declared,“If sifted, nine tenths of the crime of England and Wales could be traced to drink.”—“Alcohol.”8. What may be said of the use of tobacco?Being a rank poison, its use is highly injurious.Notes.—“Tobacco is the most subtle poison known to chemists, except the deadly prussic acid.”—M. Orfila, president Medical Academy, Paris.[pg 747]“Tobacco is ruinous in our schools and colleges, dwarfing body and mind.”—Dr. Willard Parker.“I shall not hesitate to pronounce tobacco in young men to be evil, and only evil, physically, mentally, and morally.”—Edward Hitchcock, of Amherst College.“The use of intoxicating liquor by men, and the use of cigarettes by boys, is creating a race of feeble-minded, unhealthy, and valueless citizens.”—John Wanamaker.“We might as well go to the insane asylum for our men as to employ cigarette smokers.”—The late E. H. Harriman, railroad magnate.“Cigarettes are ruining our children, endangering their lives, dwarfing their intellects, and making them criminals, fast. The boys who use them seem to lose all sense of right, decency, and righteousness.”—Judge Crane, of New York City.“Cigarette smoking in the case of boys partly paralyzes the nerve cells at the base of the brain, and this interferes with the breathing and heart action. The end organs of the motor nerves lose their excitability, next the trunks of the nerves, and then the spinal cord.... The power of fine coordination is decidedly lost.”—Prof. Sims Woodhead, of Cambridge University.“The use of cigarettes affects the nervous system, weakens the will-power, and destroys the ability of the boy to resist temptation; and because of this he easily falls a victim of those habits which not only destroy the mind and soul, but irresistibly lead him into a violation of the laws of the state.”—George Torrance, superintendent Illinois State Reformatory.Tobacco using is demoralizing in its general effects, and tends to create an appetite for strong drink. It originated with the natives of North America, the Indians. In November, 1492, when Columbus discovered the island of Cuba, he sent two sailors to explore it, who, when they returned, reported, among many other strange and curious discoveries, that the natives carried with them lighted firebrands, and puffed smoke from their mouths and noses, which they supposed to be the way the savages had of perfuming themselves. They afterward declared that they“saw the naked savages twist large leaves together, and smoke like devils.”Originating with the wild barbarians of America, the smoking habit, after some years, was introduced into Europe, and was rapidly adopted, not only by the lower classes, but by those in high authority, even princes and nobles participating in the new intoxication. It has since become well-nigh universal.9. Where does intemperance often begin?Intemperance often begins in the home. Many who would not think of placing on their tables wine or liquor of any kind will load them with food that creates a thirst for strong drink,—with strong tea and coffee, injurious condiments, rich pastry, highly seasoned foods, and the like.10. What will drunkards, with other workers of iniquity, never inherit?"Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nordrunkards, ... shall inheritthe kingdom of God." 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.[pg 748]The World's CurseIllustration.The Gin-Mill. "All its history is written in tears and blood."—Robert J. Burdette.1. What admonition against intemperance did Christ give that is especially applicable at the present time?“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged withsurfeiting, anddrunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”Luke 21:34.2. What did He say would be the condition of the world just before His second coming?“As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.... They wereeatinganddrinking, marrying and giving in marriage.”Matt. 24:37, 38.3. How has the consumption of liquor increased in gallons in the United States since 1840:—SpiritsWinesLiquorsTotalPer Capita184043,060,8844,873,09623,310,84371,244,8234.17185051,833,4736,316,39336,563,00994,712,8754.08186089,968,65110,933,981101,346,669202,249,3016.43187079,895,70812,225,067204,756,156296,876,9317.70188063,526,69428,098,179414,220,165505,845,03810.08189087,829,62328,945,993855,929,559972,705,17515.53190097,356,86429,988,4671,222,387,1041,349,732,43517.761910133,538,86460,548,0781,851,340,2562,045,427,01821.861911138,585,98962,859,2321,966,911,7442,169,356,69522.79[pg 749]The total consumption of alcoholic liquors in the United States for forty-two years (1870-1911) was 43,611,000,564 gallons.The drink bill of the United States for 1911 was estimated at $1,833,653,425, or nearly twice the national debt.The number of liquor dealers in the United States in 1910 was 255,765, or over a quarter of a million.The capital invested in the manufacture of liquor in the United States in 1850 was less than $10,000,000. In 1910, sixty years later, it had increased to over $770,000,000, or more than 7,700 per cent.The total internal revenue received by the United States for liquor for forty-nine years, or from 1863 to 1911, was $5,245,916,047.01.The use of whisky, beer, cigars, and cigarettes in the United States increased enormously in 1912. During the three months of July, August, and September of this year alone, 33,150,000 gallons of whisky were used, an increase of 450,000 gallons over the corresponding period of the previous year; 19,800,000 barrels of beer were drunk, an increase of 320,000 barrels over the same months of 1911; 1,950,000,000 cigars were smoked, a record consumption; and more than 3,800,000,000 cigarettes were consumed, an increase of 1,000,000,000 over the same period of the previous year.4. What can be said of intemperance in Great Britain?Speaking of intemperance in Great Britain, theEnglish Watchwordsays:—“Thanks to our brewers and publicans, and the cooperation of the magistrates who license them, and the consent of the Christian church which permits the liquor traffic to continue, we have:—“1,000,000 paupers on the rates through drink,100,000 criminals in jail through drink,50,000 lunatics in asylums through drink,60,000 deaths annually through drink, and a standing army of—60,000 confirmed drunkards.”5. To what extent is beer manufactured in the world today?The enormous extent of the beer industry in the world at the present time is indicated by the following table prepared in 1903 by Gambrinus, of Vienna:—Germany18,230United Kingdom5,547America and Australia2,210Austria-Hungary1,436Belgium3,319France3,360Russia920Sweden250Denmark370Switzerland228Holland372Other countries260Total36,502The amount of beer produced by these 36,502 breweries is estimated at considerably over 150,000,000 barrels annually.[pg 750]Gallons of Liquor Consumed Annually by the World TodayWineBeerSpiritsAustralia7,925,00047,976,0003,297,000Austria-Hungary192,800,000545,674,043120,000,000Belgium8,948,200395,285,2589,895,000Bulgaria29,100,000946,000770,000Denmark63,213,0004,000,000Dominion of Canada1,386,23539,896,6366,054,790France1,710,900,000289,103,00097,177,968German Empire79,600,0001,782,778,000124,313,300Holland1,980,0009,328,000Italy856,520,0006,725,00011,150,400New Zealand126,0007,381,000602,000Newfoundland7,200312,000364,000Norway8,756,0001,672,000Portugal108,320,000Roumania52,840,0001,320,0006,996,000Russian Empire76,620,000151,633,892232,813,382Servia6,605,000Spain428,000,00020,000,000Sweden898,20044,440,00010,730,500Switzerland22,190,00045,452,000United Kingdom26,349,8731,021,123,63238,133,721United States62,000,0001,851,342,256133,538,684Total3,673,115,7086,323,357,717810,836,745Grand total, 10,807,310,170 gallons.—American Prohibition Year Book, 1912.Comparative Annual Cost of Liquor and Other Things in the United StatesIntoxicating liquor$1,752,000,000Tobacco1,200,000,000Iron and steel1,035,000,000Jewelry and plate800,000,000Printing and publishing750,000,000Lumber700,000,000Cotton goods675,000,000Automobiles500,000,000Woolen and worsted goods475,000,000Flour455,000,000Boots and shoes450,000,000Panama Canal400,000,000Public education371,000,000Sugar and molasses310,000,000Furniture245,000,000Silk goods240,000,000Potatoes.210,000,000Confectionery200,000,000Church and home work175,000,000Soft drinks120,000,000Tea and coffee100,000,000Brick100,000,000Millinery90,000,000Patent medicines80,000,000Chewing-gum13,000,000Foreign missions12,000,000[pg 751]Notes.—“Grape-Juice has killed more people than grape-shot.”—Spurgeon.“O that men should put an enemy in their mouths, to steal away their brains!”—Shakespeare.“The liquor traffic is the most degrading and ruinous of all human pursuits.”—William McKinley.“All its history is written in tears and blood.”—Robert J. Burdette.“In every community three things always work together,—the grog-shop, the jail, and the gallows,—an infernal trinity.”—Henry Ward Beecher.“Give me a sober population, not wasting their earnings in strong drink, and I will know where to get my revenue.”—William E. Gladstone.“I have looked into a thousand homes of the working people of Europe; I do not know how many in this country. In every case, as far as my observation goes, drunkenness was at the bottom of the misery.”—Carroll D. Wright, former Commissioner of Labor, U. S. A.“The liquor traffic is a hydra-headed monster, which, with ceaseless and tireless energy, wastes the substance of the poor, manufactures burdensome taxes for the public, monopolizes the time of courts, fills the jails and penitentiaries and asylums, terrorizes helpless women and children, and mocks the law.”—Gen. Nelson A. Miles.“I have no sympathy with the statement, so often made, that the manufacture and sale of liquor have contributed to the industrial development of the nation. On the contrary, I believe that liquor has contributed more to the moral, intellectual, and material deterioration of the people, and has brought more misery to defenseless women and children, than has any other agency in the history of mankind.”—John Mitchell, vice-president American Federation of Labor.“The saloon is the mortal enemy of peace and order, the despoiler of man and the terror of women, the cloud that shadows the face of children, the demon that has dug more graves and sent more souls unshriven to judgment than all the plagues that have wasted life since the plagues of Egypt, or all the wars since Joshua stood before Jericho.”—Henry W. Grady.What A Barrel Of Whisky ContainsA barrel of headaches, of heartaches, of woes;A barrel of curses, a barrel of blows;A barrel of sorrow for a loving, weary wife;A barrel of care, a barrel of strife;A barrel of unavailing regret;A barrel of cares, a barrel of debt;A barrel of hunger, of poison, of pain;A barrel of hopes all blasted and vain;A barrel of poverty, ruin, and blight;A barrel of tears that run in the night;A barrel of crime, a barrel of groans;A barrel of orphans' most pitiful moans;A barrel of serpents that hiss as they pass,That glow from the liquor in the bead of the glass;A barrel of falsehoods; a barrel of criesThat fall from the maniac's lips as he dies![pg 752]Scripture Admonitions (A Responsive Reading)Illustration.The Home Crusher. "The drunkard ... shall come to poverty." Prov. 23:21.“Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!”Isa. 5:11.“And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of His hands.”Verse 12.“And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee.”Lev. 10:8, 9.“They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.”Isa. 24:9.“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink.”Prov. 31:4.“Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower.”Isa. 28:1.“He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.”Prov. 21:17.“For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”Prov. 23:21.“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also.”Hab. 2:15.“Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink.”Isa. 5:22.[pg 753]“Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”Eph. 5:18.“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”Prov. 20:1.“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?”Prov. 23:29.“They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.”Verse 30.“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.”Verse 31.“At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”Verse 32.“Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”1 Cor. 6:9, 10.“Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing.”Judges 13:4.“Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”1 Cor. 6:19.“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”Verse 20.“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”1 Cor. 10:31.Look not upon the wineThat sparkles in its flow,For death is slumbering there,Beneath its ruddy glow.No happiness it bringeth,At last it only stingeth;It biteth, and it wringethThe heart with bitter woe.Lift up the tempted soulNow fallen in despair,Direct his thoughts above,To God, who heareth prayer.His arm in mighty powerCan bid the demon cower,And in temptation's hourWill an escape prepare.F. E. Belden.[pg 754]Illustration.The Guardian Angel. "What maintains one vice would bring up two children."—Benjamin Franklin.[pg 755]True Temperance ReformIllustration.Save The Boys. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Prov. 22:6.1. What was the original food provided for man?“And God said, Behold, I have given you everyherbbearingseed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and everytree, in the which isthe fruit of a treeyieldingseed; to you it shall be for meat.”Gen. 1:29.Note.—In other words, vegetables, grains, fruits, and nuts.2. After the flood what other food was indicated as permissible?“Every moving thing that livethshall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.”Gen. 9:3.Note.—From this it is evident that flesh food was not included in the original diet provided for man, but that on account of the changed conditions resulting from the fall and the flood, its use was permitted.3. When God chose Israel for His people, what kinds of flesh food were excluded from their diet?Those called unclean. See Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.4. What special food did God provide for the children of Israel during their forty years' wandering in the wilderness?[pg 756]“Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rainbread from heavenfor you.”“And the children of Israel did eatmannaforty years, until they came to a land inhabited.”Ex. 16:4, 35.5. At the same time what did God promise to do for them?“I will takesicknessaway from the midst of thee.”Ex. 23:25.6. What testimony does the psalmist bear regarding their physical condition?“There was not one feeble person among their tribes.”Ps. 105:37.Note.—When they complained at God's dealings with them, and longed for the food of Egypt, God gave them their desires, but sent“leanness into their soul.”See Numbers 11; Ps. 106:13-15; 1 Cor. 10:6. Like many today, they were not content with a simple but wholesome and nourishing diet.7. Where, above all, should true temperance reform begin?In the home.Note.—Unless fathers and mothers practise temperance, they cannot expect their children to do so.8. What classes of men especially should be strictly temperate?“Be thou anexampleof the believers.”1 Tim. 4:12.Note.—Of all men in the world, ministers and physicians should lead strictly temperate lives. The welfare of society demands this of them, for their influence is constantly telling for or against moral reform and the improvement of society. By precept and example they can do much toward bringing about the much-needed reform.9. Can the fact that the liquor traffic brings in a large revenue to the state justify men in licensing it?“Woe to him that buildeth a town withblood, and stablisheth a city byiniquity.”Hab. 2:12.Note.—In all the walks and relationships of life, whether in the home, the medical profession, the pulpit, or the legislative assembly, men should stand for temperance. To license the liquor traffic is to legalize and foster it. It cannot exist nor thrive without the patronage of each rising generation, a large number of whom it must necessarily ruin, body, soul, and spirit. For the state to receive money from such a source, therefore, must be highly reprehensible. The practise has fittingly been likened to a father catching sharks, and baiting his hook with his own children.
Illustration.Life In The Country. "I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health." 3 John 2.
Life In The Country. "I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health." 3 John 2.
Good HealthIllustration.The Family Table. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, ... do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31.1. What did the apostle John wish concerning Gaius?“Beloved, I wish above all thingsthat thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”3 John 2.2. What did God promise His people anciently?“And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; andI will take sickness away from the midst of thee.”Ex. 23:25.3. Upon what conditions was freedom from disease promised?“If thou wilt diligently harken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.”Ex. 15:26.4. What does the psalmist say the Lord does for His people?“Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;who healeth all thy diseases.”Ps. 103:3.5. What constituted a large part of Christ's ministry?“Who went about doing good, andhealing all that were oppressed of the devil.”Acts 10:38. See Luke 13:16.“And Jesus went about all Galilee, ...healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”Matt. 4:23.6. Why should the health of the body be preserved?“For ye are bought with a price: thereforeglorify God in[pg 740]your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”1 Cor. 6:20.7. What is the body of the believer said to be?“What? know ye not thatyour body is the temple of the Holy Ghostwhich is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”Verse 19.8. What will God do to those who defile this temple?“If any man defile the temple of God,him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”1 Cor. 3:17.9. What example did Daniel set in this matter?“But Daniel purposed in his heartthat he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank.”Dan. 1:8.10. With what food did he ask to be provided?“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; andlet them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.”Verse 12.11. What was the original diet prescribed for man?“And God said, Behold, I have given youevery herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, andevery tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”Gen. 1:29.12. Why did the Lord restrict the Hebrews in their diet?“Forthou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.”Deut. 14:2, 3.Note.—Both mind and body are affected by the food we eat.13. What effect does cheerfulness have upon the health?“A merry heartdoeth goodlike a medicine.”Prov. 17:22.14. How did the Saviour provide rest for His disciples?“And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, andrest awhile.”Mark 6:31.15. How are we exhorted to present our bodies to God?“I beseech you ... that yepresent your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.”Rom. 12:1.16. What high purpose should control our habits of life?“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do,do all to the glory of God.”1 Cor. 10:31.
Illustration.The Family Table. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, ... do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31.
The Family Table. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, ... do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. 10:31.
1. What did the apostle John wish concerning Gaius?
“Beloved, I wish above all thingsthat thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”3 John 2.
2. What did God promise His people anciently?
“And ye shall serve the Lord your God, and He shall bless thy bread, and thy water; andI will take sickness away from the midst of thee.”Ex. 23:25.
3. Upon what conditions was freedom from disease promised?
“If thou wilt diligently harken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.”Ex. 15:26.
4. What does the psalmist say the Lord does for His people?
“Who forgiveth all thine iniquities;who healeth all thy diseases.”Ps. 103:3.
5. What constituted a large part of Christ's ministry?
“Who went about doing good, andhealing all that were oppressed of the devil.”Acts 10:38. See Luke 13:16.“And Jesus went about all Galilee, ...healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.”Matt. 4:23.
6. Why should the health of the body be preserved?
“For ye are bought with a price: thereforeglorify God in[pg 740]your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”1 Cor. 6:20.
7. What is the body of the believer said to be?
“What? know ye not thatyour body is the temple of the Holy Ghostwhich is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”Verse 19.
8. What will God do to those who defile this temple?
“If any man defile the temple of God,him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.”1 Cor. 3:17.
9. What example did Daniel set in this matter?
“But Daniel purposed in his heartthat he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank.”Dan. 1:8.
10. With what food did he ask to be provided?
“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; andlet them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink.”Verse 12.
11. What was the original diet prescribed for man?
“And God said, Behold, I have given youevery herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, andevery tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.”Gen. 1:29.
12. Why did the Lord restrict the Hebrews in their diet?
“Forthou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and the Lord hath chosen thee to be a peculiar people unto Himself, above all the nations that are upon the earth. Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing.”Deut. 14:2, 3.
Note.—Both mind and body are affected by the food we eat.
13. What effect does cheerfulness have upon the health?
“A merry heartdoeth goodlike a medicine.”Prov. 17:22.
14. How did the Saviour provide rest for His disciples?
“And He said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, andrest awhile.”Mark 6:31.
15. How are we exhorted to present our bodies to God?
“I beseech you ... that yepresent your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.”Rom. 12:1.
16. What high purpose should control our habits of life?
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do,do all to the glory of God.”1 Cor. 10:31.
Christian TemperanceIllustration.Signing The Pledge. "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself." Dan. 1:8.1. Concerning what did Paul reason before Felix?“He reasoned of righteousness,temperance, and judgment to come.”Acts 24:25.Note.—Temperance means habitual moderation and control in the indulgence of the appetites and passions; in other words, self-control.2. Of what is temperance a fruit?“Butthe fruit of the Spiritis love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,temperance.”Gal. 5:22, 23.Note.—“Temperance puts wood on the fire, meal in the barrel, flour in the tub, money in the purse, credit in the country, contentment in the house, clothes on the back, and vigor in the body.”—Benjamin Franklin.3. Where in Christian growth and experience is temperance placed by the apostle Peter?“Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledgetemperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”2 Peter 1:5-7. See page542.Note.—Temperance is rightly placed here as to order. Knowledge is a prerequisite to temperance, and temperance to patience. It is very difficult for an intemperate person to be patient.4. What is said of those who strive for the mastery?[pg 742]“And every man that striveth for the mastery istemperate in all things.”1 Cor. 9:25.5. In running the Christian race, what did Paul say he did?“ButI keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”Verse 27.6. Why are kings and rulers admonished to be temperate?“It is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: lest they drink, andforget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.”Prov. 31:4, 5.7. Why were priests forbidden to use intoxicating drink while engaged in the sanctuary service?“And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle: ...that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean.”Lev. 10:8-10.8. Why is indulgence in strong drink dangerous?“And be not drunk with wine,wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”Eph. 5:18.Note.—The danger in the indulgence of stimulating foods and drinks is that they create an unnatural appetite and thirst, thus leading to excess. Both food and drink should be nourishing and non-stimulating.9. For what should men eat and drink?“Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season,for strength, and not for drunkenness!”Eccl. 10:17.10. Why did Daniel refuse the food and wine of the king?“But Daniel purposed in his heartthat he would not defile himselfwith the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank.”Dan. 1:8. See Judges 13:4.11. Instead of these, what did he request?“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give uspulse to eat, andwater to drink.”Verse 12.12. At the end of the ten days' test, how did he and his companions appear?“And at the end of ten days their countenances appearedfairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.”Verse 15.13. At the end of their three years' course in the school of[pg 743]Babylon, how did the wisdom of Daniel and his companions compare with that of others?“Now at the end of the days ... the king communed with them;and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: ... and in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them,he found them ten times betterthan all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.”Verses 18-20.14. What warning is given against leading others into intemperance?“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken.”Hab. 2:15.15. What kind of professed Christians are not fellowshiped?“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or adrunkard.”1 Cor. 5:11.16. Can drunkards enter the kingdom of God?“Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nordrunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”1 Cor. 6:9, 10. See Rev. 21:27.17. For what perfection of character did the apostle pray?“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray Godyour whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blamelessunto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”1 Thess. 5:23.Note.—For notable examples of total abstinence in the Bible, see the wife of Manoah, the mother of Samson (Judges 13:4, 12-14); Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Sam. 1:15); the Rechabites (Jer. 35:1-10); and John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-15).Song Of The RyeI was made to be eaten,And not to be drank;To be threshed in the barn,Not soaked in a tank.I come as a blessingWhen put through a mill;As a blight and a curseWhen run through a still.Make me up into loaves,And your children are fed;But if into drink,I'll starve them instead.In bread I'm a servant,The eater shall rule;In drink I am master,The drinker a fool.[pg 744]Illustration.The Two Robbers. "Your money and your life."
Illustration.Signing The Pledge. "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself." Dan. 1:8.
Signing The Pledge. "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself." Dan. 1:8.
1. Concerning what did Paul reason before Felix?
“He reasoned of righteousness,temperance, and judgment to come.”Acts 24:25.
Note.—Temperance means habitual moderation and control in the indulgence of the appetites and passions; in other words, self-control.
2. Of what is temperance a fruit?
“Butthe fruit of the Spiritis love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness,temperance.”Gal. 5:22, 23.
Note.—“Temperance puts wood on the fire, meal in the barrel, flour in the tub, money in the purse, credit in the country, contentment in the house, clothes on the back, and vigor in the body.”—Benjamin Franklin.
3. Where in Christian growth and experience is temperance placed by the apostle Peter?
“Add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledgetemperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.”2 Peter 1:5-7. See page542.
Note.—Temperance is rightly placed here as to order. Knowledge is a prerequisite to temperance, and temperance to patience. It is very difficult for an intemperate person to be patient.
4. What is said of those who strive for the mastery?
“And every man that striveth for the mastery istemperate in all things.”1 Cor. 9:25.
5. In running the Christian race, what did Paul say he did?
“ButI keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”Verse 27.
6. Why are kings and rulers admonished to be temperate?
“It is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: lest they drink, andforget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.”Prov. 31:4, 5.
7. Why were priests forbidden to use intoxicating drink while engaged in the sanctuary service?
“And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle: ...that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean.”Lev. 10:8-10.
8. Why is indulgence in strong drink dangerous?
“And be not drunk with wine,wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”Eph. 5:18.
Note.—The danger in the indulgence of stimulating foods and drinks is that they create an unnatural appetite and thirst, thus leading to excess. Both food and drink should be nourishing and non-stimulating.
9. For what should men eat and drink?
“Blessed art thou, O land, when thy king is the son of nobles, and thy princes eat in due season,for strength, and not for drunkenness!”Eccl. 10:17.
10. Why did Daniel refuse the food and wine of the king?
“But Daniel purposed in his heartthat he would not defile himselfwith the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank.”Dan. 1:8. See Judges 13:4.
11. Instead of these, what did he request?
“Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give uspulse to eat, andwater to drink.”Verse 12.
12. At the end of the ten days' test, how did he and his companions appear?
“And at the end of ten days their countenances appearedfairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.”Verse 15.
13. At the end of their three years' course in the school of[pg 743]Babylon, how did the wisdom of Daniel and his companions compare with that of others?
“Now at the end of the days ... the king communed with them;and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: ... and in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them,he found them ten times betterthan all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.”Verses 18-20.
14. What warning is given against leading others into intemperance?
“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken.”Hab. 2:15.
15. What kind of professed Christians are not fellowshiped?
“But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or adrunkard.”1 Cor. 5:11.
16. Can drunkards enter the kingdom of God?
“Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nordrunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”1 Cor. 6:9, 10. See Rev. 21:27.
17. For what perfection of character did the apostle pray?
“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray Godyour whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blamelessunto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”1 Thess. 5:23.
Note.—For notable examples of total abstinence in the Bible, see the wife of Manoah, the mother of Samson (Judges 13:4, 12-14); Hannah, the mother of Samuel (1 Sam. 1:15); the Rechabites (Jer. 35:1-10); and John the Baptist (Luke 1:13-15).
Song Of The RyeI was made to be eaten,And not to be drank;To be threshed in the barn,Not soaked in a tank.I come as a blessingWhen put through a mill;As a blight and a curseWhen run through a still.Make me up into loaves,And your children are fed;But if into drink,I'll starve them instead.In bread I'm a servant,The eater shall rule;In drink I am master,The drinker a fool.
Song Of The Rye
I was made to be eaten,And not to be drank;To be threshed in the barn,Not soaked in a tank.I come as a blessingWhen put through a mill;As a blight and a curseWhen run through a still.
I was made to be eaten,
And not to be drank;
To be threshed in the barn,
Not soaked in a tank.
I come as a blessing
When put through a mill;
As a blight and a curse
When run through a still.
Make me up into loaves,And your children are fed;But if into drink,I'll starve them instead.In bread I'm a servant,The eater shall rule;In drink I am master,The drinker a fool.
Make me up into loaves,
And your children are fed;
But if into drink,
I'll starve them instead.
In bread I'm a servant,
The eater shall rule;
In drink I am master,
The drinker a fool.
Illustration.The Two Robbers. "Your money and your life."
The Two Robbers. "Your money and your life."
Evils Of IntemperanceIllustration.The Home Destroyer. "Who hath woe? who hath sorrow?... they that tarry long at the wine." Prov. 23:29, 30.1. What do the Scriptures say of wine?“Wine is amocker, strong drink israging: and whosoever isdeceivedthereby is not wise.”Prov. 20:1.Note.—All intoxicating drinks are deceptive. They seem to give strength, but in reality cause weakness; they seem to create heat, but in fact lower the general temperature; they seem to impart vitality, but really destroy life; they seem to promote happiness, but cause the greatest unhappiness and misery. To intemperance may be attributed much of the world's sorrow.2. What is one of the evil results of intemperance?“Be not among wine-bibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: for the drunkard and the glutton shall come topoverty.”Prov. 23:20, 21.3. What are other evil effects of intemperance?“Whoredom and wine and new winetake away the heart.”Hosea 4:11.“They also haveerredthrough wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; ... they err invision, they stumble injudgment.”Isa. 28:7.Note.—“One of the subtlest effects of this many-sided drug is to produce a craving for itself, while weakening the will that could resist that craving.”—“Alcohol,”by Dr. Williams, page 48.4. With what sins is drunkenness classed?[pg 746]“Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders,drunkenness, revelings, and such like.”Gal. 5:19-21.5. What are common accompaniments of intemperance?“Who hathwoe? who hathsorrow? who hathcontentions? who hathbabbling? who hathwoundswithout cause? who hathredness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.”Prov. 23:29, 30.6. How do intoxicants serve one in the end?“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”Verses 31, 32.Notes.—The effects of alcoholic liquors are thus described in the American Prohibition Year Book for 1912, pages 26, 27:—“On the Individual.Alcoholic liquors, whether fermented, brewed, or distilled, are poisonous, increasing greatly the liability to fatal termination of diseases, weakening and deranging the intellect, polluting the affections, hardening the heart, and corrupting the morals,‘bequeathing to posterity’a degeneration of physical and moral character.“On the Family.A disturber and destroyer of its peace, prosperity, and happiness, and thus removing the sure foundation for good government, national prosperity and welfare.“On the Community.Producing demoralization, vice, and wickedness, counteracting the efficacy of religious efforts and of all means for the intellectual elevation, moral purity, social happiness, and eternal good of mankind.“On the State.Promoting crime and pauperism, paralyzing thrift and industry, corrupting politics, legislation, and the execution of laws.”Alcohol tends to destroy the higher forms of cells, those directly concerned with the vital processes, particularly the delicate brain-cells, and to replace them with useless and harmful connective tissue, or what is commonly known as scar tissue. Reliable statistics demonstrate that the total abstainer has an advantage of at least twenty-one per cent over the moderate drinker.“The offspring of alcoholics show impaired vitality of the most deep-seated character, such as deformities, neuroses, which may take the severe forms of chorea, infantile convulsions, epilepsy, or idiocy.”—“Alcohol,”page 44.7. To what extent is intemperance the cause of crime?A lord chief justice of England declared,“If sifted, nine tenths of the crime of England and Wales could be traced to drink.”—“Alcohol.”8. What may be said of the use of tobacco?Being a rank poison, its use is highly injurious.Notes.—“Tobacco is the most subtle poison known to chemists, except the deadly prussic acid.”—M. Orfila, president Medical Academy, Paris.[pg 747]“Tobacco is ruinous in our schools and colleges, dwarfing body and mind.”—Dr. Willard Parker.“I shall not hesitate to pronounce tobacco in young men to be evil, and only evil, physically, mentally, and morally.”—Edward Hitchcock, of Amherst College.“The use of intoxicating liquor by men, and the use of cigarettes by boys, is creating a race of feeble-minded, unhealthy, and valueless citizens.”—John Wanamaker.“We might as well go to the insane asylum for our men as to employ cigarette smokers.”—The late E. H. Harriman, railroad magnate.“Cigarettes are ruining our children, endangering their lives, dwarfing their intellects, and making them criminals, fast. The boys who use them seem to lose all sense of right, decency, and righteousness.”—Judge Crane, of New York City.“Cigarette smoking in the case of boys partly paralyzes the nerve cells at the base of the brain, and this interferes with the breathing and heart action. The end organs of the motor nerves lose their excitability, next the trunks of the nerves, and then the spinal cord.... The power of fine coordination is decidedly lost.”—Prof. Sims Woodhead, of Cambridge University.“The use of cigarettes affects the nervous system, weakens the will-power, and destroys the ability of the boy to resist temptation; and because of this he easily falls a victim of those habits which not only destroy the mind and soul, but irresistibly lead him into a violation of the laws of the state.”—George Torrance, superintendent Illinois State Reformatory.Tobacco using is demoralizing in its general effects, and tends to create an appetite for strong drink. It originated with the natives of North America, the Indians. In November, 1492, when Columbus discovered the island of Cuba, he sent two sailors to explore it, who, when they returned, reported, among many other strange and curious discoveries, that the natives carried with them lighted firebrands, and puffed smoke from their mouths and noses, which they supposed to be the way the savages had of perfuming themselves. They afterward declared that they“saw the naked savages twist large leaves together, and smoke like devils.”Originating with the wild barbarians of America, the smoking habit, after some years, was introduced into Europe, and was rapidly adopted, not only by the lower classes, but by those in high authority, even princes and nobles participating in the new intoxication. It has since become well-nigh universal.9. Where does intemperance often begin?Intemperance often begins in the home. Many who would not think of placing on their tables wine or liquor of any kind will load them with food that creates a thirst for strong drink,—with strong tea and coffee, injurious condiments, rich pastry, highly seasoned foods, and the like.10. What will drunkards, with other workers of iniquity, never inherit?"Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nordrunkards, ... shall inheritthe kingdom of God." 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.
Illustration.The Home Destroyer. "Who hath woe? who hath sorrow?... they that tarry long at the wine." Prov. 23:29, 30.
The Home Destroyer. "Who hath woe? who hath sorrow?... they that tarry long at the wine." Prov. 23:29, 30.
1. What do the Scriptures say of wine?
“Wine is amocker, strong drink israging: and whosoever isdeceivedthereby is not wise.”Prov. 20:1.
Note.—All intoxicating drinks are deceptive. They seem to give strength, but in reality cause weakness; they seem to create heat, but in fact lower the general temperature; they seem to impart vitality, but really destroy life; they seem to promote happiness, but cause the greatest unhappiness and misery. To intemperance may be attributed much of the world's sorrow.
2. What is one of the evil results of intemperance?
“Be not among wine-bibbers; among riotous eaters of flesh: for the drunkard and the glutton shall come topoverty.”Prov. 23:20, 21.
3. What are other evil effects of intemperance?
“Whoredom and wine and new winetake away the heart.”Hosea 4:11.“They also haveerredthrough wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; ... they err invision, they stumble injudgment.”Isa. 28:7.
Note.—“One of the subtlest effects of this many-sided drug is to produce a craving for itself, while weakening the will that could resist that craving.”—“Alcohol,”by Dr. Williams, page 48.
4. With what sins is drunkenness classed?
“Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders,drunkenness, revelings, and such like.”Gal. 5:19-21.
5. What are common accompaniments of intemperance?
“Who hathwoe? who hathsorrow? who hathcontentions? who hathbabbling? who hathwoundswithout cause? who hathredness of eyes? They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.”Prov. 23:29, 30.
6. How do intoxicants serve one in the end?
“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”Verses 31, 32.
Notes.—The effects of alcoholic liquors are thus described in the American Prohibition Year Book for 1912, pages 26, 27:—“On the Individual.Alcoholic liquors, whether fermented, brewed, or distilled, are poisonous, increasing greatly the liability to fatal termination of diseases, weakening and deranging the intellect, polluting the affections, hardening the heart, and corrupting the morals,‘bequeathing to posterity’a degeneration of physical and moral character.“On the Family.A disturber and destroyer of its peace, prosperity, and happiness, and thus removing the sure foundation for good government, national prosperity and welfare.“On the Community.Producing demoralization, vice, and wickedness, counteracting the efficacy of religious efforts and of all means for the intellectual elevation, moral purity, social happiness, and eternal good of mankind.“On the State.Promoting crime and pauperism, paralyzing thrift and industry, corrupting politics, legislation, and the execution of laws.”Alcohol tends to destroy the higher forms of cells, those directly concerned with the vital processes, particularly the delicate brain-cells, and to replace them with useless and harmful connective tissue, or what is commonly known as scar tissue. Reliable statistics demonstrate that the total abstainer has an advantage of at least twenty-one per cent over the moderate drinker.“The offspring of alcoholics show impaired vitality of the most deep-seated character, such as deformities, neuroses, which may take the severe forms of chorea, infantile convulsions, epilepsy, or idiocy.”—“Alcohol,”page 44.
Notes.—The effects of alcoholic liquors are thus described in the American Prohibition Year Book for 1912, pages 26, 27:—
“On the Individual.Alcoholic liquors, whether fermented, brewed, or distilled, are poisonous, increasing greatly the liability to fatal termination of diseases, weakening and deranging the intellect, polluting the affections, hardening the heart, and corrupting the morals,‘bequeathing to posterity’a degeneration of physical and moral character.
“On the Family.A disturber and destroyer of its peace, prosperity, and happiness, and thus removing the sure foundation for good government, national prosperity and welfare.
“On the Community.Producing demoralization, vice, and wickedness, counteracting the efficacy of religious efforts and of all means for the intellectual elevation, moral purity, social happiness, and eternal good of mankind.
“On the State.Promoting crime and pauperism, paralyzing thrift and industry, corrupting politics, legislation, and the execution of laws.”
Alcohol tends to destroy the higher forms of cells, those directly concerned with the vital processes, particularly the delicate brain-cells, and to replace them with useless and harmful connective tissue, or what is commonly known as scar tissue. Reliable statistics demonstrate that the total abstainer has an advantage of at least twenty-one per cent over the moderate drinker.
“The offspring of alcoholics show impaired vitality of the most deep-seated character, such as deformities, neuroses, which may take the severe forms of chorea, infantile convulsions, epilepsy, or idiocy.”—“Alcohol,”page 44.
7. To what extent is intemperance the cause of crime?
A lord chief justice of England declared,“If sifted, nine tenths of the crime of England and Wales could be traced to drink.”—“Alcohol.”
8. What may be said of the use of tobacco?
Being a rank poison, its use is highly injurious.
Notes.—“Tobacco is the most subtle poison known to chemists, except the deadly prussic acid.”—M. Orfila, president Medical Academy, Paris.[pg 747]“Tobacco is ruinous in our schools and colleges, dwarfing body and mind.”—Dr. Willard Parker.“I shall not hesitate to pronounce tobacco in young men to be evil, and only evil, physically, mentally, and morally.”—Edward Hitchcock, of Amherst College.“The use of intoxicating liquor by men, and the use of cigarettes by boys, is creating a race of feeble-minded, unhealthy, and valueless citizens.”—John Wanamaker.“We might as well go to the insane asylum for our men as to employ cigarette smokers.”—The late E. H. Harriman, railroad magnate.“Cigarettes are ruining our children, endangering their lives, dwarfing their intellects, and making them criminals, fast. The boys who use them seem to lose all sense of right, decency, and righteousness.”—Judge Crane, of New York City.“Cigarette smoking in the case of boys partly paralyzes the nerve cells at the base of the brain, and this interferes with the breathing and heart action. The end organs of the motor nerves lose their excitability, next the trunks of the nerves, and then the spinal cord.... The power of fine coordination is decidedly lost.”—Prof. Sims Woodhead, of Cambridge University.“The use of cigarettes affects the nervous system, weakens the will-power, and destroys the ability of the boy to resist temptation; and because of this he easily falls a victim of those habits which not only destroy the mind and soul, but irresistibly lead him into a violation of the laws of the state.”—George Torrance, superintendent Illinois State Reformatory.Tobacco using is demoralizing in its general effects, and tends to create an appetite for strong drink. It originated with the natives of North America, the Indians. In November, 1492, when Columbus discovered the island of Cuba, he sent two sailors to explore it, who, when they returned, reported, among many other strange and curious discoveries, that the natives carried with them lighted firebrands, and puffed smoke from their mouths and noses, which they supposed to be the way the savages had of perfuming themselves. They afterward declared that they“saw the naked savages twist large leaves together, and smoke like devils.”Originating with the wild barbarians of America, the smoking habit, after some years, was introduced into Europe, and was rapidly adopted, not only by the lower classes, but by those in high authority, even princes and nobles participating in the new intoxication. It has since become well-nigh universal.
Notes.—“Tobacco is the most subtle poison known to chemists, except the deadly prussic acid.”—M. Orfila, president Medical Academy, Paris.
“Tobacco is ruinous in our schools and colleges, dwarfing body and mind.”—Dr. Willard Parker.
“I shall not hesitate to pronounce tobacco in young men to be evil, and only evil, physically, mentally, and morally.”—Edward Hitchcock, of Amherst College.
“The use of intoxicating liquor by men, and the use of cigarettes by boys, is creating a race of feeble-minded, unhealthy, and valueless citizens.”—John Wanamaker.
“We might as well go to the insane asylum for our men as to employ cigarette smokers.”—The late E. H. Harriman, railroad magnate.
“Cigarettes are ruining our children, endangering their lives, dwarfing their intellects, and making them criminals, fast. The boys who use them seem to lose all sense of right, decency, and righteousness.”—Judge Crane, of New York City.
“Cigarette smoking in the case of boys partly paralyzes the nerve cells at the base of the brain, and this interferes with the breathing and heart action. The end organs of the motor nerves lose their excitability, next the trunks of the nerves, and then the spinal cord.... The power of fine coordination is decidedly lost.”—Prof. Sims Woodhead, of Cambridge University.
“The use of cigarettes affects the nervous system, weakens the will-power, and destroys the ability of the boy to resist temptation; and because of this he easily falls a victim of those habits which not only destroy the mind and soul, but irresistibly lead him into a violation of the laws of the state.”—George Torrance, superintendent Illinois State Reformatory.
Tobacco using is demoralizing in its general effects, and tends to create an appetite for strong drink. It originated with the natives of North America, the Indians. In November, 1492, when Columbus discovered the island of Cuba, he sent two sailors to explore it, who, when they returned, reported, among many other strange and curious discoveries, that the natives carried with them lighted firebrands, and puffed smoke from their mouths and noses, which they supposed to be the way the savages had of perfuming themselves. They afterward declared that they“saw the naked savages twist large leaves together, and smoke like devils.”Originating with the wild barbarians of America, the smoking habit, after some years, was introduced into Europe, and was rapidly adopted, not only by the lower classes, but by those in high authority, even princes and nobles participating in the new intoxication. It has since become well-nigh universal.
9. Where does intemperance often begin?
Intemperance often begins in the home. Many who would not think of placing on their tables wine or liquor of any kind will load them with food that creates a thirst for strong drink,—with strong tea and coffee, injurious condiments, rich pastry, highly seasoned foods, and the like.
10. What will drunkards, with other workers of iniquity, never inherit?
"Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nordrunkards, ... shall inheritthe kingdom of God." 1 Cor. 6:9, 10.
The World's CurseIllustration.The Gin-Mill. "All its history is written in tears and blood."—Robert J. Burdette.1. What admonition against intemperance did Christ give that is especially applicable at the present time?“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged withsurfeiting, anddrunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”Luke 21:34.2. What did He say would be the condition of the world just before His second coming?“As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.... They wereeatinganddrinking, marrying and giving in marriage.”Matt. 24:37, 38.3. How has the consumption of liquor increased in gallons in the United States since 1840:—SpiritsWinesLiquorsTotalPer Capita184043,060,8844,873,09623,310,84371,244,8234.17185051,833,4736,316,39336,563,00994,712,8754.08186089,968,65110,933,981101,346,669202,249,3016.43187079,895,70812,225,067204,756,156296,876,9317.70188063,526,69428,098,179414,220,165505,845,03810.08189087,829,62328,945,993855,929,559972,705,17515.53190097,356,86429,988,4671,222,387,1041,349,732,43517.761910133,538,86460,548,0781,851,340,2562,045,427,01821.861911138,585,98962,859,2321,966,911,7442,169,356,69522.79[pg 749]The total consumption of alcoholic liquors in the United States for forty-two years (1870-1911) was 43,611,000,564 gallons.The drink bill of the United States for 1911 was estimated at $1,833,653,425, or nearly twice the national debt.The number of liquor dealers in the United States in 1910 was 255,765, or over a quarter of a million.The capital invested in the manufacture of liquor in the United States in 1850 was less than $10,000,000. In 1910, sixty years later, it had increased to over $770,000,000, or more than 7,700 per cent.The total internal revenue received by the United States for liquor for forty-nine years, or from 1863 to 1911, was $5,245,916,047.01.The use of whisky, beer, cigars, and cigarettes in the United States increased enormously in 1912. During the three months of July, August, and September of this year alone, 33,150,000 gallons of whisky were used, an increase of 450,000 gallons over the corresponding period of the previous year; 19,800,000 barrels of beer were drunk, an increase of 320,000 barrels over the same months of 1911; 1,950,000,000 cigars were smoked, a record consumption; and more than 3,800,000,000 cigarettes were consumed, an increase of 1,000,000,000 over the same period of the previous year.4. What can be said of intemperance in Great Britain?Speaking of intemperance in Great Britain, theEnglish Watchwordsays:—“Thanks to our brewers and publicans, and the cooperation of the magistrates who license them, and the consent of the Christian church which permits the liquor traffic to continue, we have:—“1,000,000 paupers on the rates through drink,100,000 criminals in jail through drink,50,000 lunatics in asylums through drink,60,000 deaths annually through drink, and a standing army of—60,000 confirmed drunkards.”5. To what extent is beer manufactured in the world today?The enormous extent of the beer industry in the world at the present time is indicated by the following table prepared in 1903 by Gambrinus, of Vienna:—Germany18,230United Kingdom5,547America and Australia2,210Austria-Hungary1,436Belgium3,319France3,360Russia920Sweden250Denmark370Switzerland228Holland372Other countries260Total36,502The amount of beer produced by these 36,502 breweries is estimated at considerably over 150,000,000 barrels annually.[pg 750]Gallons of Liquor Consumed Annually by the World TodayWineBeerSpiritsAustralia7,925,00047,976,0003,297,000Austria-Hungary192,800,000545,674,043120,000,000Belgium8,948,200395,285,2589,895,000Bulgaria29,100,000946,000770,000Denmark63,213,0004,000,000Dominion of Canada1,386,23539,896,6366,054,790France1,710,900,000289,103,00097,177,968German Empire79,600,0001,782,778,000124,313,300Holland1,980,0009,328,000Italy856,520,0006,725,00011,150,400New Zealand126,0007,381,000602,000Newfoundland7,200312,000364,000Norway8,756,0001,672,000Portugal108,320,000Roumania52,840,0001,320,0006,996,000Russian Empire76,620,000151,633,892232,813,382Servia6,605,000Spain428,000,00020,000,000Sweden898,20044,440,00010,730,500Switzerland22,190,00045,452,000United Kingdom26,349,8731,021,123,63238,133,721United States62,000,0001,851,342,256133,538,684Total3,673,115,7086,323,357,717810,836,745Grand total, 10,807,310,170 gallons.—American Prohibition Year Book, 1912.Comparative Annual Cost of Liquor and Other Things in the United StatesIntoxicating liquor$1,752,000,000Tobacco1,200,000,000Iron and steel1,035,000,000Jewelry and plate800,000,000Printing and publishing750,000,000Lumber700,000,000Cotton goods675,000,000Automobiles500,000,000Woolen and worsted goods475,000,000Flour455,000,000Boots and shoes450,000,000Panama Canal400,000,000Public education371,000,000Sugar and molasses310,000,000Furniture245,000,000Silk goods240,000,000Potatoes.210,000,000Confectionery200,000,000Church and home work175,000,000Soft drinks120,000,000Tea and coffee100,000,000Brick100,000,000Millinery90,000,000Patent medicines80,000,000Chewing-gum13,000,000Foreign missions12,000,000[pg 751]Notes.—“Grape-Juice has killed more people than grape-shot.”—Spurgeon.“O that men should put an enemy in their mouths, to steal away their brains!”—Shakespeare.“The liquor traffic is the most degrading and ruinous of all human pursuits.”—William McKinley.“All its history is written in tears and blood.”—Robert J. Burdette.“In every community three things always work together,—the grog-shop, the jail, and the gallows,—an infernal trinity.”—Henry Ward Beecher.“Give me a sober population, not wasting their earnings in strong drink, and I will know where to get my revenue.”—William E. Gladstone.“I have looked into a thousand homes of the working people of Europe; I do not know how many in this country. In every case, as far as my observation goes, drunkenness was at the bottom of the misery.”—Carroll D. Wright, former Commissioner of Labor, U. S. A.“The liquor traffic is a hydra-headed monster, which, with ceaseless and tireless energy, wastes the substance of the poor, manufactures burdensome taxes for the public, monopolizes the time of courts, fills the jails and penitentiaries and asylums, terrorizes helpless women and children, and mocks the law.”—Gen. Nelson A. Miles.“I have no sympathy with the statement, so often made, that the manufacture and sale of liquor have contributed to the industrial development of the nation. On the contrary, I believe that liquor has contributed more to the moral, intellectual, and material deterioration of the people, and has brought more misery to defenseless women and children, than has any other agency in the history of mankind.”—John Mitchell, vice-president American Federation of Labor.“The saloon is the mortal enemy of peace and order, the despoiler of man and the terror of women, the cloud that shadows the face of children, the demon that has dug more graves and sent more souls unshriven to judgment than all the plagues that have wasted life since the plagues of Egypt, or all the wars since Joshua stood before Jericho.”—Henry W. Grady.What A Barrel Of Whisky ContainsA barrel of headaches, of heartaches, of woes;A barrel of curses, a barrel of blows;A barrel of sorrow for a loving, weary wife;A barrel of care, a barrel of strife;A barrel of unavailing regret;A barrel of cares, a barrel of debt;A barrel of hunger, of poison, of pain;A barrel of hopes all blasted and vain;A barrel of poverty, ruin, and blight;A barrel of tears that run in the night;A barrel of crime, a barrel of groans;A barrel of orphans' most pitiful moans;A barrel of serpents that hiss as they pass,That glow from the liquor in the bead of the glass;A barrel of falsehoods; a barrel of criesThat fall from the maniac's lips as he dies!
Illustration.The Gin-Mill. "All its history is written in tears and blood."—Robert J. Burdette.
The Gin-Mill. "All its history is written in tears and blood."—Robert J. Burdette.
1. What admonition against intemperance did Christ give that is especially applicable at the present time?
“And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged withsurfeiting, anddrunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.”Luke 21:34.
2. What did He say would be the condition of the world just before His second coming?
“As the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.... They wereeatinganddrinking, marrying and giving in marriage.”Matt. 24:37, 38.
3. How has the consumption of liquor increased in gallons in the United States since 1840:—
The total consumption of alcoholic liquors in the United States for forty-two years (1870-1911) was 43,611,000,564 gallons.The drink bill of the United States for 1911 was estimated at $1,833,653,425, or nearly twice the national debt.The number of liquor dealers in the United States in 1910 was 255,765, or over a quarter of a million.The capital invested in the manufacture of liquor in the United States in 1850 was less than $10,000,000. In 1910, sixty years later, it had increased to over $770,000,000, or more than 7,700 per cent.The total internal revenue received by the United States for liquor for forty-nine years, or from 1863 to 1911, was $5,245,916,047.01.The use of whisky, beer, cigars, and cigarettes in the United States increased enormously in 1912. During the three months of July, August, and September of this year alone, 33,150,000 gallons of whisky were used, an increase of 450,000 gallons over the corresponding period of the previous year; 19,800,000 barrels of beer were drunk, an increase of 320,000 barrels over the same months of 1911; 1,950,000,000 cigars were smoked, a record consumption; and more than 3,800,000,000 cigarettes were consumed, an increase of 1,000,000,000 over the same period of the previous year.
The total consumption of alcoholic liquors in the United States for forty-two years (1870-1911) was 43,611,000,564 gallons.
The drink bill of the United States for 1911 was estimated at $1,833,653,425, or nearly twice the national debt.
The number of liquor dealers in the United States in 1910 was 255,765, or over a quarter of a million.
The capital invested in the manufacture of liquor in the United States in 1850 was less than $10,000,000. In 1910, sixty years later, it had increased to over $770,000,000, or more than 7,700 per cent.
The total internal revenue received by the United States for liquor for forty-nine years, or from 1863 to 1911, was $5,245,916,047.01.
The use of whisky, beer, cigars, and cigarettes in the United States increased enormously in 1912. During the three months of July, August, and September of this year alone, 33,150,000 gallons of whisky were used, an increase of 450,000 gallons over the corresponding period of the previous year; 19,800,000 barrels of beer were drunk, an increase of 320,000 barrels over the same months of 1911; 1,950,000,000 cigars were smoked, a record consumption; and more than 3,800,000,000 cigarettes were consumed, an increase of 1,000,000,000 over the same period of the previous year.
4. What can be said of intemperance in Great Britain?
Speaking of intemperance in Great Britain, theEnglish Watchwordsays:—
“Thanks to our brewers and publicans, and the cooperation of the magistrates who license them, and the consent of the Christian church which permits the liquor traffic to continue, we have:—“1,000,000 paupers on the rates through drink,100,000 criminals in jail through drink,50,000 lunatics in asylums through drink,60,000 deaths annually through drink, and a standing army of—60,000 confirmed drunkards.”
“Thanks to our brewers and publicans, and the cooperation of the magistrates who license them, and the consent of the Christian church which permits the liquor traffic to continue, we have:—
“1,000,000 paupers on the rates through drink,100,000 criminals in jail through drink,50,000 lunatics in asylums through drink,60,000 deaths annually through drink, and a standing army of—60,000 confirmed drunkards.”
“1,000,000 paupers on the rates through drink,
100,000 criminals in jail through drink,
50,000 lunatics in asylums through drink,
60,000 deaths annually through drink, and a standing army of—
60,000 confirmed drunkards.”
5. To what extent is beer manufactured in the world today?
The enormous extent of the beer industry in the world at the present time is indicated by the following table prepared in 1903 by Gambrinus, of Vienna:—
The amount of beer produced by these 36,502 breweries is estimated at considerably over 150,000,000 barrels annually.[pg 750]Gallons of Liquor Consumed Annually by the World TodayWineBeerSpiritsAustralia7,925,00047,976,0003,297,000Austria-Hungary192,800,000545,674,043120,000,000Belgium8,948,200395,285,2589,895,000Bulgaria29,100,000946,000770,000Denmark63,213,0004,000,000Dominion of Canada1,386,23539,896,6366,054,790France1,710,900,000289,103,00097,177,968German Empire79,600,0001,782,778,000124,313,300Holland1,980,0009,328,000Italy856,520,0006,725,00011,150,400New Zealand126,0007,381,000602,000Newfoundland7,200312,000364,000Norway8,756,0001,672,000Portugal108,320,000Roumania52,840,0001,320,0006,996,000Russian Empire76,620,000151,633,892232,813,382Servia6,605,000Spain428,000,00020,000,000Sweden898,20044,440,00010,730,500Switzerland22,190,00045,452,000United Kingdom26,349,8731,021,123,63238,133,721United States62,000,0001,851,342,256133,538,684Total3,673,115,7086,323,357,717810,836,745Grand total, 10,807,310,170 gallons.—American Prohibition Year Book, 1912.Comparative Annual Cost of Liquor and Other Things in the United StatesIntoxicating liquor$1,752,000,000Tobacco1,200,000,000Iron and steel1,035,000,000Jewelry and plate800,000,000Printing and publishing750,000,000Lumber700,000,000Cotton goods675,000,000Automobiles500,000,000Woolen and worsted goods475,000,000Flour455,000,000Boots and shoes450,000,000Panama Canal400,000,000Public education371,000,000Sugar and molasses310,000,000Furniture245,000,000Silk goods240,000,000Potatoes.210,000,000Confectionery200,000,000Church and home work175,000,000Soft drinks120,000,000Tea and coffee100,000,000Brick100,000,000Millinery90,000,000Patent medicines80,000,000Chewing-gum13,000,000Foreign missions12,000,000[pg 751]Notes.—“Grape-Juice has killed more people than grape-shot.”—Spurgeon.“O that men should put an enemy in their mouths, to steal away their brains!”—Shakespeare.“The liquor traffic is the most degrading and ruinous of all human pursuits.”—William McKinley.“All its history is written in tears and blood.”—Robert J. Burdette.“In every community three things always work together,—the grog-shop, the jail, and the gallows,—an infernal trinity.”—Henry Ward Beecher.“Give me a sober population, not wasting their earnings in strong drink, and I will know where to get my revenue.”—William E. Gladstone.“I have looked into a thousand homes of the working people of Europe; I do not know how many in this country. In every case, as far as my observation goes, drunkenness was at the bottom of the misery.”—Carroll D. Wright, former Commissioner of Labor, U. S. A.“The liquor traffic is a hydra-headed monster, which, with ceaseless and tireless energy, wastes the substance of the poor, manufactures burdensome taxes for the public, monopolizes the time of courts, fills the jails and penitentiaries and asylums, terrorizes helpless women and children, and mocks the law.”—Gen. Nelson A. Miles.“I have no sympathy with the statement, so often made, that the manufacture and sale of liquor have contributed to the industrial development of the nation. On the contrary, I believe that liquor has contributed more to the moral, intellectual, and material deterioration of the people, and has brought more misery to defenseless women and children, than has any other agency in the history of mankind.”—John Mitchell, vice-president American Federation of Labor.“The saloon is the mortal enemy of peace and order, the despoiler of man and the terror of women, the cloud that shadows the face of children, the demon that has dug more graves and sent more souls unshriven to judgment than all the plagues that have wasted life since the plagues of Egypt, or all the wars since Joshua stood before Jericho.”—Henry W. Grady.
The amount of beer produced by these 36,502 breweries is estimated at considerably over 150,000,000 barrels annually.
Gallons of Liquor Consumed Annually by the World Today
Grand total, 10,807,310,170 gallons.—American Prohibition Year Book, 1912.
Comparative Annual Cost of Liquor and Other Things in the United States
Notes.—“Grape-Juice has killed more people than grape-shot.”—Spurgeon.
“O that men should put an enemy in their mouths, to steal away their brains!”—Shakespeare.
“The liquor traffic is the most degrading and ruinous of all human pursuits.”—William McKinley.
“All its history is written in tears and blood.”—Robert J. Burdette.
“In every community three things always work together,—the grog-shop, the jail, and the gallows,—an infernal trinity.”—Henry Ward Beecher.
“Give me a sober population, not wasting their earnings in strong drink, and I will know where to get my revenue.”—William E. Gladstone.
“I have looked into a thousand homes of the working people of Europe; I do not know how many in this country. In every case, as far as my observation goes, drunkenness was at the bottom of the misery.”—Carroll D. Wright, former Commissioner of Labor, U. S. A.
“The liquor traffic is a hydra-headed monster, which, with ceaseless and tireless energy, wastes the substance of the poor, manufactures burdensome taxes for the public, monopolizes the time of courts, fills the jails and penitentiaries and asylums, terrorizes helpless women and children, and mocks the law.”—Gen. Nelson A. Miles.
“I have no sympathy with the statement, so often made, that the manufacture and sale of liquor have contributed to the industrial development of the nation. On the contrary, I believe that liquor has contributed more to the moral, intellectual, and material deterioration of the people, and has brought more misery to defenseless women and children, than has any other agency in the history of mankind.”—John Mitchell, vice-president American Federation of Labor.
“The saloon is the mortal enemy of peace and order, the despoiler of man and the terror of women, the cloud that shadows the face of children, the demon that has dug more graves and sent more souls unshriven to judgment than all the plagues that have wasted life since the plagues of Egypt, or all the wars since Joshua stood before Jericho.”—Henry W. Grady.
What A Barrel Of Whisky ContainsA barrel of headaches, of heartaches, of woes;A barrel of curses, a barrel of blows;A barrel of sorrow for a loving, weary wife;A barrel of care, a barrel of strife;A barrel of unavailing regret;A barrel of cares, a barrel of debt;A barrel of hunger, of poison, of pain;A barrel of hopes all blasted and vain;A barrel of poverty, ruin, and blight;A barrel of tears that run in the night;A barrel of crime, a barrel of groans;A barrel of orphans' most pitiful moans;A barrel of serpents that hiss as they pass,That glow from the liquor in the bead of the glass;A barrel of falsehoods; a barrel of criesThat fall from the maniac's lips as he dies!
What A Barrel Of Whisky Contains
A barrel of headaches, of heartaches, of woes;A barrel of curses, a barrel of blows;A barrel of sorrow for a loving, weary wife;A barrel of care, a barrel of strife;A barrel of unavailing regret;A barrel of cares, a barrel of debt;A barrel of hunger, of poison, of pain;A barrel of hopes all blasted and vain;A barrel of poverty, ruin, and blight;A barrel of tears that run in the night;A barrel of crime, a barrel of groans;A barrel of orphans' most pitiful moans;A barrel of serpents that hiss as they pass,That glow from the liquor in the bead of the glass;A barrel of falsehoods; a barrel of criesThat fall from the maniac's lips as he dies!
A barrel of headaches, of heartaches, of woes;
A barrel of curses, a barrel of blows;
A barrel of sorrow for a loving, weary wife;
A barrel of care, a barrel of strife;
A barrel of unavailing regret;
A barrel of cares, a barrel of debt;
A barrel of hunger, of poison, of pain;
A barrel of hopes all blasted and vain;
A barrel of poverty, ruin, and blight;
A barrel of tears that run in the night;
A barrel of crime, a barrel of groans;
A barrel of orphans' most pitiful moans;
A barrel of serpents that hiss as they pass,
That glow from the liquor in the bead of the glass;
A barrel of falsehoods; a barrel of cries
That fall from the maniac's lips as he dies!
Scripture Admonitions (A Responsive Reading)Illustration.The Home Crusher. "The drunkard ... shall come to poverty." Prov. 23:21.“Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!”Isa. 5:11.“And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of His hands.”Verse 12.“And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee.”Lev. 10:8, 9.“They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.”Isa. 24:9.“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink.”Prov. 31:4.“Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower.”Isa. 28:1.“He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.”Prov. 21:17.“For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”Prov. 23:21.“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also.”Hab. 2:15.“Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink.”Isa. 5:22.[pg 753]“Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”Eph. 5:18.“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”Prov. 20:1.“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?”Prov. 23:29.“They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.”Verse 30.“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.”Verse 31.“At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”Verse 32.“Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”1 Cor. 6:9, 10.“Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing.”Judges 13:4.“Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”1 Cor. 6:19.“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”Verse 20.“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”1 Cor. 10:31.Look not upon the wineThat sparkles in its flow,For death is slumbering there,Beneath its ruddy glow.No happiness it bringeth,At last it only stingeth;It biteth, and it wringethThe heart with bitter woe.Lift up the tempted soulNow fallen in despair,Direct his thoughts above,To God, who heareth prayer.His arm in mighty powerCan bid the demon cower,And in temptation's hourWill an escape prepare.F. E. Belden.[pg 754]Illustration.The Guardian Angel. "What maintains one vice would bring up two children."—Benjamin Franklin.
Illustration.The Home Crusher. "The drunkard ... shall come to poverty." Prov. 23:21.
The Home Crusher. "The drunkard ... shall come to poverty." Prov. 23:21.
“Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!”Isa. 5:11.
“And the harp, and the viol, the tabret, and pipe, and wine, are in their feasts: but they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of His hands.”Verse 12.
“And the Lord spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee.”Lev. 10:8, 9.
“They shall not drink wine with a song; strong drink shall be bitter to them that drink it.”Isa. 24:9.
“It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink.”Prov. 31:4.
“Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower.”Isa. 28:1.
“He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man: he that loveth wine and oil shall not be rich.”Prov. 21:17.
“For the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty: and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags.”Prov. 23:21.
“Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken also.”Hab. 2:15.
“Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink.”Isa. 5:22.
“Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”Eph. 5:18.
“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.”Prov. 20:1.
“Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath contentions? who hath babbling? who hath wounds without cause? who hath redness of eyes?”Prov. 23:29.
“They that tarry long at the wine; they that go to seek mixed wine.”Verse 30.
“Look not thou upon the wine when it is red, when it giveth his color in the cup, when it moveth itself aright.”Verse 31.
“At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder.”Verse 32.
“Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, ... nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.”1 Cor. 6:9, 10.
“Now therefore beware, I pray thee, and drink not wine nor strong drink, and eat not any unclean thing.”Judges 13:4.
“Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?”1 Cor. 6:19.
“For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.”Verse 20.
“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”1 Cor. 10:31.
Look not upon the wineThat sparkles in its flow,For death is slumbering there,Beneath its ruddy glow.No happiness it bringeth,At last it only stingeth;It biteth, and it wringethThe heart with bitter woe.Lift up the tempted soulNow fallen in despair,Direct his thoughts above,To God, who heareth prayer.His arm in mighty powerCan bid the demon cower,And in temptation's hourWill an escape prepare.F. E. Belden.
Look not upon the wineThat sparkles in its flow,For death is slumbering there,Beneath its ruddy glow.No happiness it bringeth,At last it only stingeth;It biteth, and it wringethThe heart with bitter woe.
Look not upon the wine
That sparkles in its flow,
For death is slumbering there,
Beneath its ruddy glow.
No happiness it bringeth,
At last it only stingeth;
It biteth, and it wringeth
The heart with bitter woe.
Lift up the tempted soulNow fallen in despair,Direct his thoughts above,To God, who heareth prayer.His arm in mighty powerCan bid the demon cower,And in temptation's hourWill an escape prepare.F. E. Belden.
Lift up the tempted soul
Now fallen in despair,
Direct his thoughts above,
To God, who heareth prayer.
His arm in mighty power
Can bid the demon cower,
And in temptation's hour
Will an escape prepare.
F. E. Belden.
Illustration.The Guardian Angel. "What maintains one vice would bring up two children."—Benjamin Franklin.
The Guardian Angel. "What maintains one vice would bring up two children."—Benjamin Franklin.
True Temperance ReformIllustration.Save The Boys. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Prov. 22:6.1. What was the original food provided for man?“And God said, Behold, I have given you everyherbbearingseed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and everytree, in the which isthe fruit of a treeyieldingseed; to you it shall be for meat.”Gen. 1:29.Note.—In other words, vegetables, grains, fruits, and nuts.2. After the flood what other food was indicated as permissible?“Every moving thing that livethshall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.”Gen. 9:3.Note.—From this it is evident that flesh food was not included in the original diet provided for man, but that on account of the changed conditions resulting from the fall and the flood, its use was permitted.3. When God chose Israel for His people, what kinds of flesh food were excluded from their diet?Those called unclean. See Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.4. What special food did God provide for the children of Israel during their forty years' wandering in the wilderness?[pg 756]“Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rainbread from heavenfor you.”“And the children of Israel did eatmannaforty years, until they came to a land inhabited.”Ex. 16:4, 35.5. At the same time what did God promise to do for them?“I will takesicknessaway from the midst of thee.”Ex. 23:25.6. What testimony does the psalmist bear regarding their physical condition?“There was not one feeble person among their tribes.”Ps. 105:37.Note.—When they complained at God's dealings with them, and longed for the food of Egypt, God gave them their desires, but sent“leanness into their soul.”See Numbers 11; Ps. 106:13-15; 1 Cor. 10:6. Like many today, they were not content with a simple but wholesome and nourishing diet.7. Where, above all, should true temperance reform begin?In the home.Note.—Unless fathers and mothers practise temperance, they cannot expect their children to do so.8. What classes of men especially should be strictly temperate?“Be thou anexampleof the believers.”1 Tim. 4:12.Note.—Of all men in the world, ministers and physicians should lead strictly temperate lives. The welfare of society demands this of them, for their influence is constantly telling for or against moral reform and the improvement of society. By precept and example they can do much toward bringing about the much-needed reform.9. Can the fact that the liquor traffic brings in a large revenue to the state justify men in licensing it?“Woe to him that buildeth a town withblood, and stablisheth a city byiniquity.”Hab. 2:12.Note.—In all the walks and relationships of life, whether in the home, the medical profession, the pulpit, or the legislative assembly, men should stand for temperance. To license the liquor traffic is to legalize and foster it. It cannot exist nor thrive without the patronage of each rising generation, a large number of whom it must necessarily ruin, body, soul, and spirit. For the state to receive money from such a source, therefore, must be highly reprehensible. The practise has fittingly been likened to a father catching sharks, and baiting his hook with his own children.
Illustration.Save The Boys. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Prov. 22:6.
Save The Boys. "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." Prov. 22:6.
1. What was the original food provided for man?
“And God said, Behold, I have given you everyherbbearingseed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and everytree, in the which isthe fruit of a treeyieldingseed; to you it shall be for meat.”Gen. 1:29.
Note.—In other words, vegetables, grains, fruits, and nuts.
2. After the flood what other food was indicated as permissible?
“Every moving thing that livethshall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all things.”Gen. 9:3.
Note.—From this it is evident that flesh food was not included in the original diet provided for man, but that on account of the changed conditions resulting from the fall and the flood, its use was permitted.
3. When God chose Israel for His people, what kinds of flesh food were excluded from their diet?
Those called unclean. See Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14.
4. What special food did God provide for the children of Israel during their forty years' wandering in the wilderness?
“Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rainbread from heavenfor you.”“And the children of Israel did eatmannaforty years, until they came to a land inhabited.”Ex. 16:4, 35.
5. At the same time what did God promise to do for them?
“I will takesicknessaway from the midst of thee.”Ex. 23:25.
6. What testimony does the psalmist bear regarding their physical condition?
“There was not one feeble person among their tribes.”Ps. 105:37.
Note.—When they complained at God's dealings with them, and longed for the food of Egypt, God gave them their desires, but sent“leanness into their soul.”See Numbers 11; Ps. 106:13-15; 1 Cor. 10:6. Like many today, they were not content with a simple but wholesome and nourishing diet.
7. Where, above all, should true temperance reform begin?
In the home.
Note.—Unless fathers and mothers practise temperance, they cannot expect their children to do so.
8. What classes of men especially should be strictly temperate?
“Be thou anexampleof the believers.”1 Tim. 4:12.
Note.—Of all men in the world, ministers and physicians should lead strictly temperate lives. The welfare of society demands this of them, for their influence is constantly telling for or against moral reform and the improvement of society. By precept and example they can do much toward bringing about the much-needed reform.
9. Can the fact that the liquor traffic brings in a large revenue to the state justify men in licensing it?
“Woe to him that buildeth a town withblood, and stablisheth a city byiniquity.”Hab. 2:12.
Note.—In all the walks and relationships of life, whether in the home, the medical profession, the pulpit, or the legislative assembly, men should stand for temperance. To license the liquor traffic is to legalize and foster it. It cannot exist nor thrive without the patronage of each rising generation, a large number of whom it must necessarily ruin, body, soul, and spirit. For the state to receive money from such a source, therefore, must be highly reprehensible. The practise has fittingly been likened to a father catching sharks, and baiting his hook with his own children.