FAIR BUT FATAL | AdventAI

Seventh-day Adventist Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Sep 9, 1880

FAIR BUT FATAL.

It is said that when the Inquisition-house, at Madrid, was destroyed, by order of Napoleon, the commanding officer found an image of a beautiful virgin. The workmanship was most perfect; its proportions were correct, and beauty rested on every chiseled feature. This image was an instrument of torture. The victim was commanded to go up and embrace it, and as he placed his bosom against the cold bosom of the statue, and his lips against the cold lips of the marble, a spring was touched, an internal machine was set in motion, and the arms of the virgin, filled with sharp daggers, arose and encircled the poor sufferer, and cutting into his flesh, mangled him in a most horrible manner, and destroyed his life.

Shall we not call the intoxicating cup such an image? It sparkles before the eye, but there is a snake within which will destroy the life of both body and soul. Then if you taste the creature which looks so harmless once, when you least expect it, you will be chained and pierced. O, fly from the tempter! He seeks your ruin!

"Beware of yonder dog! Look, when he fawns he bites; and when he bites His venom teeth will rankle to the death; Have not to do with him; beware of him! Sin, death and hell, have set their marks on him, And all their ministers attend him."