Bible Readings for the Home Circle—1914 - A New You Ministry

BIBLE READINGS
. 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 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 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.
TRUE TEMPERANCE REFORM
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1. WHAT was the original food provided for man
“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed,
which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the
fruit of a tree yielding seed; 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 liveth shall be meat for you; even as the
green herb have I given you all things.” Gen. 9:3.
TRUE TEMPERANCE REFORM
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” {756
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“Then said the Lord unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven
for you.” “And the children of Israel did eat manna forty 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 take sickness away 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 practice temperance, they cannot
expect their children to do so.
8. What classes of men especially should be strictly temperate
“Be thou an example of 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 with blood, and stablisheth a city by
iniquity.” 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 genera-