Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-12-19
Sunday School Lesson Notes.
BY REV. J. o. SHERBCRN.
Dec. 9oth: Quarterly Review.

In tue StuulcS VI iuio quarter we nav
passed over Il space of about S5 years il
the history of the Israelites. At th
beginning we saw them greatly hun ilia,et
and completely conquered by the Philis
tines. The symbol of tho divine presenc
was taken from them by their foes, thei
acting judges and priests slain, and tn
whole people made tributary to thei
worst enemies. But at the very tim,
when all seemed to be lost, God had il
t~ainh man who was to become one o
of he most illustrous Of their leaders, Fl
TO be ranked with Moses. The you,hfu
ward in the house of Eli was destined t.
become Inc greatest and best of Israeli
Judges Beginning in sore defeat WI
have seen the nation gradually regain
streng h, and under divine Leadership
become victorious over enemies on every
side. The victories are vastly more thar
the ,feas, yet at the close of the period
the land is again trampled upon by the
inso|ent Philislines. theme for the
quarter might be. Defeat by Forsakin5
God. Victory for Obeying Him.
Lesson l. Here we see the wide reach
ing bane and curse of sin. The sons ol
Eli were vile; judgments came upon them
for their sins; but the results of their
corruption brought desolation and woe
upon the whole people. The people were
corrupted, and in the end all became Il
prey TO their enemies beca Use their leaders
were corrupt.
Lesson Q. The time of deepest humili
alton is followed by complete triumph
The people seeing the folly of turn NO
away fom God, return to him with
conuile hearts. and from being against
them he is turned TO be their strcng b and
deiverer. None of their enemies Can
stand before them now. and their leader
sets up memorial to commemorate the
triumph God has given them. and to
witness their solemn covenant with him.
Lesson 3 The people under Samuel
appear to have been prosperous and
contened, but when he delegated Il part
of his work to his scns who were not
upright and true. us he was. they muir
INJURED The people had a gnod right to
complain Of evil rulers; but they made q
mist Ike in taking into their own hands the
mater Of reforming the existing abuses
1t they had inquired of the Lord instead
of fiming ii plan # their own, and then
trying to secure the sanction of Samuel,
God would doubtless have led them by n
much better way than they afterwards
found.
Lessor T. In this lesson the real patriot
appears in Samuel. Himself rejected and
king demanded in his place, he !abors AS
faithfully as ever for The good of the
people, looking after every detail in the
new order Of things, and pruden'ly
guarding against an oppres sive monarchy,
Lesson 5. God gave the people the
change in administration which they
camored for, but at the same time declared
to them by the mouth of his prophet
Samuel that now, as before, their prosper
ily and security would depend upon their
faithfulness TO him. Their government
would stand or fall according to its merit.
While the people seemed TO prevail, the
Lord ruled as ever.
Lesson 6 No long time passed before
II became evident 10 all that sin in the
SOVEREIGN, as well rs in the judge, would
bring disaster upon the people. Saul
turned aside from following the Lord, (but
little it may seem,) yet he is rejected
from being king and the whole land
convulsod by a change in the ruling
family.
Lesson Z. No sooner is Saul rejected
on account of his sin than another is
chosen in his stead. Many interesting
suggestions are connected with the choice
of = shepherd lad for this important
position. but first among them all is this:
The man is greater than the place he
occupies. God saw the real genius and
worth of tie man. Men would have been
inclined 10 look largely to bis humble
surroundings.
Lesson 8 At once the divine choice is
vindicated As soon rs there was call
for a hero ard a deliverer, David steps
forth. God had made no mi'take; and
the people, though ignorant of the fact
that he was 10 have the throne, recognz d
his flint s. TO be thus ex ,lted. The account
shows US how Col can prepare the way
for the easy consummation of his purposes.
Lesson O. Again we see disaster and
ruin coming 10 he people OF Col hccausc
they have wicked ruler. No peop'e or
ma ion can thrive where the ruler Is given
10 passion. or rendered uljust through
jealousy. The king who will pursue any
subject because he is afraid OF his pnpu
luiiy is not fiji to he IL king. III one
subject is wrouged no Other one has
p edge of protection.
Lesson 10. Iu strong contrast " II the
wicked conduct of SIul ,bc King, appears
the generous, manly. faithful conduct OF
Jonathan his son. As the former becomes
1t picture painful TO look upon, so the
Latter wins aud holds GU" interest and
admiration. We can almost wish that
Jonalhan had been spared; thot the noble
qualities, shown forth in his early lie,
might have matured and proved blessing
and nn ornament to our race.
Lesson IL The generous love OF iona
than is fully equaed by the upright loyalty
and marked courage of David. 1t "a
greater proof OF courage 10 refuse 10
injure one who has wronged and harmed
you, than 10 face such an one in mortal
combat. In all of his illustrious actions
David never showed more real mnnllness'
Than whcn, as h hunted vagabord' his
family tom from him, and his lie 10
ieopardy. he refused TO avepge himself On