Daily globe., 1879-04-06


Saturday, Holy Saturday or Easter Eve,
when our Lord and Saviour was buried in the
sepulchre.
The Bible Lesson.
A large audience listened to Rev. D. R.
Breeds exposition of the bible lesson yester-
day, at the Y. NJ. c. A. The following is brief
synopsis:
The lessons for this and next Sunday
lected from the Book of Job, the first (ch
| 1xxiii 1888 being entitled ''Sanctifed Affilc-
| tion," and the second (ch. xxxxii:l-l0),
| 'Prosperity Restored" Mr.. Breed said that he
considered it great mistake to isolate these
| lessons from the rest of the book, and to un-
| dcrtake thus to present the disjointed frag-
ments. He thought that the occasion should
be improved to give the scholars some idea of
the character contents and design of this re-
markable poem, of which James Anthony
! Froude has said, st will one day perhaps be
seen towering alone far above all the poetry of
of the world"
1t is probably the oldest religious
book in the world although some
parts of Genesis may be the work IF an earlier
author. If not written by some one outside of
the Hebrew nation, which is quite likely, 1t at
least reflects the sentiments of men who were
not members of that race, and who lived at a
very remote period. The early traditions de-
| rived from father Noah were not yet completed,
and there were those of whom Melchizedeck,
lertoro and Job were examples, who still pre-
served the true knowledge of God.
Their views were not so full as thuse of a later
day. Many things which were afterwards made
plain were then obscure; yet in some respects
their ideas were as correct-so far as they
Went-as ours to. day.
The book, therefore, affords most interest
ing study both because of its age and the SUBJ
Unity of its contents.
; There are three distinct parts of the book;
| first nrOlOUua pIVlnO account OF
Jobs prosperity before his trial, and of his
great Affections; second, the arguments of the
different speakers in poetry; and third. an
, epilogue or conclusion, giving the Lords de
cision of the case and Jobs restoration to
health and wealth.
The main division, containing the arguments
introduces three speakers, the friends of Job
who each make three speeches. to each OF
which Job replies, until the last speaker fails
to sustain his The argument is ther
taken up by fourth disputant who is in turr
followed by the Lord himself.
The subject of their discussion is the DE
sign Of God in Human Suffering" 1t reveals
very close and careful observation of divine
providence, but an inability to decide the ques
tion by mere reason.
fering is the invaria5le result of sin, and al
ways bears the character of punishment. Jol
T. himself denies this. They charge him will
:, hypocrisy, and urge him to confess his secre
transgresslons. He repudiates the charge, ant
; declares that he has no transgressions whic
= should be confessed.
' As the discussion proceedes. the words of tn
: | disputants become more heated and personal
y until Job seems to have silenced his adversar
les. Then Elihu, who has listened in silence
suggests a thought yet unuttered that at
fictions may be designed for the good of tn
Y sufferer. Finally, the Lord himself speaks
He declares his own supremity, and the pre-
sumption of the man who attempts to sit il
judgment on his doings. He does not refer t
. the immediate point in dispute, and the plai
II inference is lesson of trust, a trust whic
10 10 never seeks the reason but is content to leav
~ all to God, satisfied that he will overrule a
for good.
Such is the chief design of the book Br
incidentally q great deal is taught concernin
the religious sentiments of that early age.
number of passages we're read by the class
illustrate these. The characteristics of Coo
as almighty, inscrutable, supreme, holy; tt
creator, spiritual and gracious, were the
II brought out. Also the teaching of the boo
II relative to the existence of angels, evil spirit
the depraved nature of man, the need of
r mediator, the sins of ldolatry and of hypocris.
2 and the duty of philanthropic morality.
,r The practical lessons from Jobs person
history will be the subject of the next exc