11. Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink; that continue until night, till wine inflame them!
12. 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.
13. Therefore my people are gone into captivity, because they have no knowledge; and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude dried up with thirst.
14. Therefore hell hath enlarged herself, and opened her mouth without measure; and their glory, and their multitude, and their pomp, and he that rejoiceth, shall descend into it.
15. And the mean man shall be brought down, and the mighty man shall be humbled, and the eyes of the lofty shall be humbled;
16. But the Lord of hosts shall be exalted in judgment, and God that is holy shall be sanctified in righteousness.
17. Then shall the lambs feed after their manner, and the waste places of the fat ones shall strangers eat.
18. Woe unto them that draw iniquity with cords of vanity, and sin as it were with a cart rope;
19. That say, Let him make speed, and hasten his work that we may see it; and let the counsel of the Holy One of Israel draw nigh and come, that we may know it!
20. Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21. Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!
22. Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
23. Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him!
Golden Text: “Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning, that they may follow strong drink.” Verse 11.
NOTE.—The above date, November 24, is chosen as a day for special consideration of the temperance question, hence the introduction of this lesson at this point. Next week the history of Israel is again taken up. Isaiah lived and wrote over one hundred years before the Babylonian captivity, and in the chapter before us brings to view some of the principal causes leading to the misfortunes that came upon his people. The first part of the chapter enumerates the blessings the Lord had bestowed upon Israel, his vineyard. In them he had established his temple; they were the custodians of his law; through them light should have flowed to the world, and about them were divine barriers. But they failed, and the judgments of God came upon them.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) Upon whom is a woe pronounced? Memory verse. (2) What is brought into their feasts? Verse 12. (3) Whom does such a course cause them to forget? Same verse. Note 1. (4) For this reason, what calamity would be brought upon Israel? Verse 13. Note 2. (5) What is the end of a course of selfish indulgence? Verse 14. Ans.—The grave. (6) Is there respect of persons in this judgment? Verse 15. (7) What will such a sweeping fate prove? Verse 16. Note 3. (8) What would become of their land? Verse 17. (9) By means of what figures is the evil said to be attached to one? Verse 18. Note 4. (10) How do they deride and mock the Lord? Verse 19. (11) Upon what other class is a woe pronounced? Verse 20. (12) To what extent are they deceived? Verse 21. (13) To what evil does the love of drink lead one? Verses 22, 23. Note 5.
NOTES.
1. The inevitable result of intemperance of all kinds is to cause men to become dulled in their perception of divine things. The gratification of appetite for the surfeiting of the physical senses is the curse of mankind. Sin in its nature is a doctrine of self, and the more one’s powers are perverted to selfish demands, the better worshiper he is at this evil shrine. So the text depicts the habits of those who are wholly enslaved to the god of drink, that their continual thoughts and purposes are for this one object,—gratification of appetite. The consequences,—“they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operation of his hands.” That this is true at the present time, and one prolific cause of the moral darkness overspreading the world, is evident from the figures showing the amount of money spent in this country alone for liquor during the last year. This amount is $1,080,000,000, over two hundred million dollars more than the food item, and is the largest item of expenditure for any product or article of demand. Compare this with the supposedly unselfish giving for14 (702)foreign mission work, $5,000,000, for the same time. See also Prov. 23:30, 31.
2. True knowledge proceeds from the Lord, but when the abilities which he bestows are used in an evil cause, this wisdom becomes weak. Clearness of judgment depends largely upon the proper use of the physical functions. A sound mind necessitates a sound body. Abuse the latter, and the former is injured. It is on this well-known physiological fact that Paul bases a lesson to the Corinthians: “He that committeth fornication [including an inordinate indulgence of appetite] sinneth against his own body,” which “is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you.” A weakened mind, carelessness, poverty, and calamity are the downward steps where appetite holds sway. See Prov. 20:1.
3. Such an ending to all those who pursue their own selfish desires, to the disregard of God, proves the righteousness of his judgments. If the course of the sinner were right, he would be perpetuated in it, and God would not be all in all. Right-doing only can merit the favor of a holy God. But it is in just such common temptations to gratify self by indulging the appetite with those things that are evil, or the improper use of which will work evil, that the Lord comes in as a helper. God is a Saviour from the common and little temptations. Gain the victory by his help over these as they come, and the great temptations will not appear so great.
4. PAUL refers to sin as the body of death bound to him. Here the prophet depicts the sinner as a beast of burden fastened to the load, and that load is sin. The spiritual condition, too, of those who are deceived by sin is likewise implied.
5. The woes of the last verses of the lesson seem specially aimed at the teachers in Israel, the judges, and those in authority. The same prophet, in the twenty-eighth chapter, says (verse 7) that those who sit in judgment “have erred through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err in vision, they stumble in judgment.” Verse 23 of chapter 5 refers to the custom of wicked priests and rulers receiving bribes and giving judgment accordingly, which was one of the sins of long standing in Israel. The secret of the whole matter, the reason for such conduct and attendant disaster, is made plain by the Lord through his prophet, as follows: “Because they have cast away the law of the Lord of hosts, and despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.” Verse 24. This is the secret now as well as then. The remedy is the Spirit of the Lord in the heart, reforming the man, for this alone can save from the woes pronounced against all manner of sin.
RESULTS OF A UNION OF CHURCH AND STATE—AN ADULTEROUS ALLIANCE
“So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading.” —Neh. 8:8.
Lesson VIII.—Sabbath, November 23, 1895.
RESULTS OF A UNION OF CHURCH AND STATE—AN ADULTEROUS ALLIANCE.
1. What did Christ say of his kingdom in its relation to this world?
“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world; if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now is my kingdom not from hence.” John 18:36.
2. What are the kingdoms over which men rule called?
“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign forever and ever.” Rev. 11:15.
3. What general principle is stated in Matt. 19:6?
“Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.”
4. Must not the converse be as imperative, that what God has separated no man has a right to join together?
5. Has the Lord separated church and state?
“And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Cæsar the things that are Cæsar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. And they marveled at him.” Mark 12:17.
6. What must any union between the two therefore be? Ans.—An adulterous union.
7. What is one of the relations which the Lord represents himself as sustaining to his church?
“For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy; for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” 2 Cor. 11:2.
“I was an husband unto them, saith the Lord.” Jer. 31:32. See also Isa. 54:5, first part.
8. How long is a woman bound to her husband?
“For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband.” Rom. 7:2.
9. What is she called, and what is she, if she marries another while he lives?
“So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress; but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man.” Verse 3.
10. What does God say of the kings of the earth and Babylon the Great? Ans.—Babylon has committed fornication with the kings of the earth. Read Rev. 17:1, 2, 5; 18:2, 3.
A DENIAL OF THE POWER OF GOD.
11. What is the Gospel of Christ declared to be?
“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Rom. 1:16.
“Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number; he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.” Isa. 40:26.
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” Matt. 28:18.
13. How much power, therefore, is there in the Gospel to save men?
14. Could greater power be asked for the accomplishment of any work?
15. Of what, therefore, do men confess their ignorance when they appeal to the power of the state to assist in Gospel work?
16. Of what were the Sadducees ignorant?
“Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.” Matt. 22:29.
17. What do men deny when they ask the aid of Cæsar in religious things? Ans.—The power of God.
18. When would such a spirit be especially prevalent among professing Christians?
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof; from such turn away.” 2 Tim. 3:1–5.
HYPOCRISY AND RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION.
19. What must be the result of making religious tests a qualification for office, and threatening temporal punishments for noncompliance with certain religious customs? Ans.—An increase of hypocrisy. “The utmost that severity can do is to make men hypocrites; it can never make them converts.”—Dr. John Moore.
20. What is the character of hypocrisy? Ans.—
“Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” Luke 12:1.
21. Is it a sin for a man to perform a religious act in which he has no faith?
“And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Rom. 14:23.
22. What does law in civil government imply? Ans.—Force. See Dan. 3:15.
23. What is the inevitable result of using force in religion? Ans.—Religious persecution.
Faith can not be forced, neither can the conscience be guided or controlled by an appeal to arms. Any attempt, therefore, to compel men who have the courage of their convictions to do differently from what they believe, must necessarily result in persecution. It can not result otherwise.
RUIN OF BOTH CHURCH AND STATE.
24. When the leaders of the Jewish Church turned from the Lord to Cæsar (John 19:14, 15), what was the result?
“Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.” “Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” Matt. 23:38; 21:43. See also Luke 19:41–44.
25. Therefore when civil governments take sides in religious controversies, and become the instruments of persecution, what must invariably be the result?
Like everything else, when church or state is turned from its proper course, it is on the road to destruction. The truth is well stated in the following words:—
“When religion and civil government are legally united, neither derives any benefit from the union; both are seriously damaged by it. The most characteristic feature of such a union is that of a bad religion and a bad government at the same time, each being harmed by the other.”—Samuel T. Spear, D.D., in Religion and the State.
“Injustice and oppression are not made tolerable by being in strict accordance with the law. Nothing is surer, in the end, than the reaction of such a wrong to break down the most perfectly constituted government.”—Fairchild’s Moral Philosophy, p. 186.
“Secular power has proved a Satanic gift to the church, and ecclesiastical power has proved an engine of tyranny in the hands of the state.”—Dr. Philip Schaff.
26. State in brief the results of a union of church and state.
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CHURCH SERVICES.
All of our churches, especially on this coast, who desire their regular weekly services announced in this column, may have it done by reporting through the proper officers.
San Francisco.—Church at 914 Laguna Street. Regular preaching services at 7:30 P.M. Sunday and 11 A.M. Sabbath. Sabbath school at 9:45 A.M. Prayer meeting Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Missionary meeting Thursday 7:30 P.M. Seats free.
Oakland.—Church at corner of Twelfth and Brush Streets. Regular preaching services or Bible study Sunday at 7:30 P.M. and Sabbath at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 9:30 A.M. Sabbath. Prayer and missionary meeting Wednesday at 7:30 P.M. All are cordially invited.
Chicago, Illinois.—Church on Forty-sixth Street between Michigan and Wabash Avenues. Sabbath school 9:30 A.M.; preaching service 11 A.M. Prayer meeting 8:30 P.M. every Sabbath, also Tuesday evening 7 P.M. Missionary meeting Thursday evening 7 P.M. All are cordially invited.
Los Angeles.—Church at 145 Carr Street, between Main and Hill Streets. Sabbath school on Sabbath at 9:45 A.M., and preaching service at 11 A.M. Prayer meeting Tuesday evening. Missionary meeting Thursday evening. All are welcome. 926 Hill Street.BELLE P. BAKER, Clerk.
East Portland, Oregon.—Church at corner of Eleventh and East Everett Streets. Services every Sabbath 11:30 A.M. Sabbath school 10 A.M. Missionary meeting evening after Sabbath 7 P.M. Prayer meeting every Wednesday evening 7 o’clock. All welcome. Seats free.
Washington, D. C.—Church on Eighth Street between F and G Streets, N. E. Regular preaching service at 11 A.M. Sabbath. Sabbath school, 9:45 A.M. Sunday, 7:30 P.M., Bible study. Prayer meeting Friday at 7:30 P.M. All are welcome. H. W. HERRELL, Clerk.
St. Paul, Minn.—Church on Greenbriar Avenue, between Jenks and Clawson Streets. Regular preaching services on Sabbath at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 9:45 A.M. Prayer meeting Tuesday evening at 7:45. All are cordially invited. NETTIE MCSTAY, Clerk.
Kansas City, Mo.—Church on corner of Twelfth and Woodland Streets. Sabbath school at 10 A.M. and preaching service at 11 A.M. Missionary meeting Tuesday, 7:45 P.M. All are cordially invited.
Detroit, Mich.—Church at 424 Trumbull Ave., between Perry and Bagley Streets. Preaching Sabbath 10 A.M. Sabbath school 11:15 A.M. Prayer meeting Wednesday 7:30 P.M. Preaching Sunday 7:30 P.M. H. M. KENYON, Pastor.
Sacramento.—Church on G Street between Eighteenth and Nineteenth Streets. Regular services: Sabbath school at 10 A.M., preaching service at 11 A.M., Sunday at 7:30 P.M. Prayer and missionary meeting Wednesday evening at 7:30. Seats free. All are cordially invited.
Pasadena.—Church at corner of Summit Ave. and Mountain Street. Sabbath services every Sabbath at 11:30 A.M. Sabbath school 10 A.M. Prayer meeting every Sunday evening 7:30. Missionary meeting Tuesday 7:30 P.M. All are cordially invited. Box 261.O. S. SMYTH, Clerk.
Boston, Mass.—Church worships at United Fellowship Hall, 1871 Washington Street. Regular services Sabbath school at 10 A.M., preaching at 11 A.M. All are welcome. George B. Wheeler, pastor. Residence at 45 Waverley Street, Everett, Mass.
Louisville, Kentucky.—Church worships at Markers’ Hall, corner Seventeenth and Main Streets. Regular preaching services at 7:30 P.M. Sunday and 11 A.M. Sabbath. Sabbath school at 10 A.M. All are welcome. J. W. COLLIE, Pastor.Residence, 2151 West Broadway.
Cleveland, Ohio.—Church at 249 Cedar Ave., between Sterling and Hayward. Regular services as follows: Sabbath school at 10 A.M. (sun. time). Preaching at 11 o’clock, also on Sunday evening at 7:30. Prayer meeting at 7:30 Wednesday evening. WILLARD H. SAXBY, Pastor.
St. Joseph, Missouri.—Church on corner Fifteenth and Locust Streets. Sabbath school at 10 A.M. Church services at 11 A.M. Prayer and teachers’ meetings, Wednesday evening, 7:30. All are cordially invited to attend. MRS. HARRIET W. TALBERT, Clerk.
San Diego.—Church corner of Eighteenth and G Streets. Regular services at 11 A.M., Sabbath. Sabbath school at 9:45 A.M. Prayer meeting, Wednesday, 7:30 P.M. Missionary meeting, Sunday, 7 P.M. MARY J. DIMOCK, Clerk.National City, Box 156.
Stockton, Cal.—Church at corner of Miner Avenue and Stanislaus Street. Services every Sabbath (Saturday) at 11 A.M. Sabbath school at 10 A.M. Prayer and teachers’ meetings at 2:30 P.M. every Wednesday. H. S. GUILFORD, Elder.
Providence, R. I.—Church worships at Library Hall, room 6 Olneyville Square. Regular services: Sabbath school at 1:30 P.M.; Bible study and social service at 3 P.M.; prayer meeting every Friday evening at 7:30. All are welcome. WM. H. WARFIELD, Clerk.36 Bush Street, Providence.
Salt Lake City.—Church, room No. 30 East Fourth South Street. Sabbath school at 10 A.M.; services Sabbath at 11 A.M. and Sunday at 7:45 P.M.; prayer meeting at 7:45 Wednesday evening; missionary meeting 7:45 Saturday evening. All are cordially invited. J. M. WILLOUGHBY.Residence, Water Street, Waterloo, Salt Lake City.
Philadelphia, Pa.—Church worships at hall, 1722 N. Broad Street. Sabbath school, 9:30 A.M.; preaching Sabbath 10:45 A.M., Sunday 7:30 P.M. E. A. MERRELL, Pastor.Residence, 1737 Edgely Street.
Tacoma, Wash.—Church corner Sixteenth and K Streets. Sabbath service 11 A.M.; Sabbath school 10 A.M.; Sunday evening 7:30; prayer and missionary meeting Wednesday evening 7:30. All are cordially invited. F. H. SMITH, Elder.
LITERARY NOTICES.
“PASSOS A’ CHRISTO.” Senhora E. G. White. Sociedade Internacional de Tractados, Battle Creek, Mich., E. U. A.; Londres, Inglaterra; Bale, Suissa.
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“PROCEEDINGS OF THE GENERAL THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY” for the year ending April, 1895; 53 Mount Vernon Street, Boston, Mass. This pamphlet gives a sketch of the history of this excellent institution, its rules, list of officers, founders, members, patrons, etc. In its periodicals all views are represented.
“THE CHRISTIAN SABBATH,” by Reuel S. Webber, 331 Main Street, St. Johns, N. B. This is a reply to the Rev. Calvin Goodspeed, D.D., in which Biblical and historical evidence is given for the scriptural Sabbath.
AFTER January 1 the STANDARD DICTIONARY, published by Funk & Wagnalls, New York, will in its various bindings be advanced in prices about 33 per cent. Now is the time to obtain a copy of that one dictionary above all others. All things considered, there is no dictionary in the English language equal to it.
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