Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1878-01-12
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
The International Sunday School Les.
son for January 13th-Asa Faith
fui &C. .GOd-IE. Chron., 14-1.11.
BY REV. E. P. RODGERS, d. ID.
From New York Observer.

or With them that have no pOwer."-Il.
ChrOn. IA: IL.
CENTRAL TRUTH-The work of right
OusEess is peace.
RehOboam was succeeded by his son
Abijah, who reigned only three years,
and was followed by Asa. his son. The
character OF this monarch is described
". 2 in these words: "And Asa did
that which was good and right in the
eyes OF the Lord lis God" And the
effect of this character Oh his kingdom
told us thus (v. u: SIN mis- days the
land was quiet ten years" He was
especially strenuous in his efforts TO abol-
ish idoiatry, and 10 establish he true and
spiritual worship of God in the land
He did much also for The defence OF his
kingdom against invasion. building
fenced cities, and raising and equipping
an army. So that when, i'm the tenth
year of his reign, an invading army OF a
thousand thousand men came against him
he was able TO meet and overcome them,
even with a force greatly inferior to
theirs. ID fact this battle with Terah
the Ethiopian. is one of the most bril-
liant specimens OF success in the history
of the Jewish people. The number OF
the invaders is the largest mentioned III
the Bible, and though it is not necessary
| for us to receive this account as literally
| true, and believe that y million of war
| riors were actually brought into the
| field, still doubtless the number was
very large. and their defeat was very
remarkable instance of military success.
| While we may not call it a miracle, yet
when we consider all the circumstances,
we inusts.regarq it as Il special interposi-
tion of Col in behalf of the pious king
who put bis trust in the Lord as he
buckled on his armor and went into battle
with the words OF believing prayer upon
his lips.
| PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
/. A pious ruler is IA great blessingstC
a people.
History establishes fact that the
moral character of people will not rise
much above that OF their rulers. 1t is
said of many of the Jewish monarchs
that They made Israel TO SIM" Coco
rulers are a rich blessing, anu wicked
princes are curse to a land. The in.
fiuencc of Asa was felt for good through
all the kingdom. His zeal Tor the pur,
worship of God. his determination t.
put down iGOlatry and reform the oll
abuses, must have commanded the re
spect and confidence OF the people, anl
contributed much to raise tile genera
morality in the realm.
The influence of the reign of tn
Stuarts OH the kingdom of England. an,
that OF Louis XIV and XVI upon Franc
Illustrate this truth.
In Il land where people elect their OWL
rulers. character should always be an ell
sential qualification for high Officia
station. He that rules i'm the tear of God
will always make his administration
blessing to the people.
If Sabbath school teacher is gOOt
man and illustrates in his own characte
and lie the truths which he teaches. hi
influence OH his pupils will be far more
effective for good. Character, more thar
anything else, in the long run, is th,
conquoling force.
2. God promotes the material welfar
of q community.
Asa's reign was fruitful i'm materia
prosperity. In ten years of peace an,
rest his kingdom made great progress
He added largely to its resources. III
united and consolidated his people. The,
respected his character and loyalty sup
ported his administration. He WAS
wise as we'll as good king. lie right,
understood the true secret of natiOn;i
advancement. He had wisdom to know
that great material prosperity can res
only on moral foundations. And thu
) he enlal ged, strengthened and -,fefeude
l his dominiOns, by cultivaiing moral priI
cipie. virtuOus habits, and a general re
spect for Gods law and worship anon
= | his people.
.'Godliness is profitable unto all things
for il hath the promise of the lite tina
: now is, and Of that which is to come.
That must be in the highest sense "pro
? table," which secures the good OF bot
: worlds. And gOdliness does this. Ther
r is no such principle of thrift. of reSpec
! ability, of success. as true religion.
puts premium OH Industry, sObriet,
o economy, perseverance, enterprise. an
\ all the worldly virtues. 1t sustains me
e under reverses and disappointmenls.
: keeps them at peace, and enables thel
J. to make the most of their powers an
their opportunities. All sagacious me
are willing TO sustain the institutions
G religious in the community. if only ft
e their influence on its temporal prosperit,
o ''Sin doesn't pay!
: 3. Christian faith fits men for the sterl
b est trials.
: When the Ethiopian hosts came again
e Asa with overwhelming numbers iU w;
e a dark time. But he had served an hoI
|, Ored God, and he felt that he could tru
/. him in day of trouble. SO he wei
d boldly TO meet bis enemy, knowing tn
numbers were nothing to God and TIL
,3 he could enable him to triumph eve
. against overwhelming odds. The resu
20 justified his faith. III God be for us wi
n can be against us ?" How may. Christian
u have found that things which locke
very dark and threatening at first, yiel
20 ed TO the power of simple confidence
l. God. Let us believe that .'all thin,
shall work together for good to the
,r that love God" No matter what o,
e troubles or foes may be. lit is nothil
4 with the Lord to help, whether wi
many. or with them that have 40 power
Nothing is too hard for the Lord. In Il
c. power of faith We are irresistible.
4 doubt is the dirge of defeat; Il believe
g is the keynote OF victory.
,e A. But 1aith must show itself
work.
We must trust in God and keep O
power dry!" Asa trusted i'm God but
also put his army in battle array a
,e urged them to fight bravely for th,
<e country.
Is He prayed and trusted, but he h
rt looked well 10 the condition of his "
n. department. He believed in prayer,
he believed in targets and spears,
shields and bows also. And he was rig
,e Godsd0es not use miracles when
id.nary means will answer. He Il