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 a.s.sembly, 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.
PART XVIII. THE KINGDOM RESTORED
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
The Transfiguration. "There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom." Matt.
16:28.
The Kingdom Of Glory
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
The Triumphal Entry. "Behold, thy King cometh." Zech. 9:9.
1. Who is to reign finally over G.o.d"s kingdom?
"And Thou, O tower of the flock [Christ], ... unto Thee shall it come, even the first dominion." Micah 4:8.
2. When asked if He was a king, what did Christ say?
"To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world." John 18:37.
3. In His transfiguration how did Christ appear?
"His face did _shine as the sun_, and His raiment was _white as the light_." Matt. 17:2.
4. Who else appeared on this occasion?
"There appeared unto them _Moses_ and _Elias_." Verse 3.
NOTE.-In this miniature representation of Christ"s kingdom, as in His triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt. 21:1-9), Christ appeared as King; Moses (Jude 9) represented the sleeping saints to be raised at Christ"s coming; and Elijah (2 Kings 2:11) the living saints to be translated then.
5. For what purpose will Christ come again?
"To be glorified in His saints." 2 Thess. 1:10.
6. Of what will the saints speak?
"They shall speak _of the glory of Thy kingdom_." Ps. 145:11.
7. How enduring is this kingdom to be?
"Thy kingdom is _an everlasting kingdom_." Verse 13.
The Saints" Inheritance
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
Return Of The Spies. "The land ... floweth with milk and honey; and this is the fruit of it." Num. 13:27.
1. How great reward has G.o.d promised those that love Him?
"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which G.o.d hath prepared for them that love Him." 1 Cor. 2:9.
2. By what have these things been revealed to us?
"But G.o.d hath revealed them unto us _by His Spirit_: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of G.o.d." Verse 10.
3. What reward awaits the true child of G.o.d?
"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to G.o.d, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end _everlasting life_." Rom. 6:22.
4. What will he reap who sows to the Spirit?
"He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap _life everlasting_." Gal. 6:8.
5. For what purpose did G.o.d give His Son to the world?
"For G.o.d so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have _everlasting life_." John 3:16.
[Ill.u.s.tration.]
Moses On Mt. Nebo Viewing The Promised Land. "And the Lord showed him all the land, ... unto the uttermost sea." Deut. 34:1, 2.