Many a time have I overtaken flocks of sheep, some of which were lying along the road "_down with the staggers_." This last is the name of the disease which is brought on by taking laurel. The old sheep avoid it. They will not taste it. The young sheep and lambs are the only ones that incline first to taste and then eat it. It is hardly necessary for me to point out to you the lesson of instruction to be gathered from what I have just said. The _staggers_, by veterinary surgeons, is said to be a kind of drunkenness often fatal in its effects.
The Prophet Isaiah speaks of some who "are drunken, but not with wine; who stagger, but not with strong drink." I fancy I hear someone in the congregation say: "I guess they must have taken laurel." Precisely so, friend! They took the very laurel that has been the ruin of thousands of the Lord's sheep and lambs. Let me tell you exactly what I mean.
The love of _worldly pleasure_ is laurel of _one kind_. It blooms forth in the desire for fine dress, gay company, night gatherings, social parties, and the like things.
_Worldly treasure_ is laurel of _another kind_. It blooms forth in the desire for worldly possessions, no matter how obtained, and only to gratify selfish ends. I have known some old sheep to take this kind.
_Ambition to be great and highly honored_ is still _another kind_. This is the "deer-tongued" laurel, the very tallest kind that grows, and has the richest looking flowers. But it is just as poisonous as any, and it blooms forth in the desire to be admired for beauty, to be looked up to for superior power and wisdom, and to be held in high honor for great deeds. I have known some _old sheep_ and even _leaders of the flock_ to eat of this kind until they staggered considerably. It was plainly visible in their steps that their heads were not exactly level. I am glad, however, to be able to say, that in the flock to which we belong, I have met with very few who ever gave any signs of being afflicted in the way last described.
In his letter to the Philippian brethren, Paul says: "For many walk, of whom I told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ."
But, brethren, there is a remedy for all these evils. God has provided the remedy. Nor is it a bitter draught. It is the "milk and wine" of his Word. Both mean TRUTH. I used to wonder why the Prophet Isaiah used both terms, when both mean the same thing. Now I will tell you. He says: "Come unto me, buy WINE and MILK, yea, buy WINE and MILK without money, and without price." _Milk_ is TRUTH in its simplest and plainest forms. Gospel truth presented in a way that very young and uninstructed minds may readily take it in, is what Paul calls "_milk for babes_." But wine is the very same TRUTH extended and expanded into forms of instruction adapted to the understandings of "men in Christ Jesus."