Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-09-19
Sunday School Lesson Notes.
BY REV. j. o. SHERBJRN.
Sept. 30th: Quarterly Review.

Every lesson has been crowded with prac-
tical suggestions. To these suggestions
we turn in the review. For the facts we
have learned are nowise so important as
the lessons taught by these facts
Lesson l. Joshua called,to the leadership
ofIsrae. Here we are shown that when
God calls man to his work it is with the
expressed pledge that God will be with
him. The work to which God calls men
is his owu work, and he will care for
work and work an. Back of every hon.
est effort to serve God is the fulness of
divine strength. The labor then shall not
be in vain.
Lesson 2. Passing over Jordan, God
proposes 10 bring his people through every
difficulty they meet. The river at its
highest shall not hinder them, or the des-
crt at its driest starve them. Supreme.
above all accident and all calamity, sits
the Ruler of the universe, ordering all
things for the good of his people.
Lesson 3. The Plains of Jericho. Here
we see Gods people victorious, through
faith which led to obedience. From the
incidents of this history it becomes evident
that the means used are of little moment,
if there is an obedient disposition, and II
readiness to acknowledge God as our
leader.
Lesson 4. Israel defeated at All. If in
the former lesson we saw glori GUS results
Ln. N
aster which dsobedience brings. Sin in
the camp has brought defeat to the people
of God erery year since they were routed
at All.
No one need to ask perplexe dly why it
is that the church does no. advance faster
when many in her ranks expend more
yearly to crafty the vile appetite for
tobacco or drinks than for the work OF God
in all the world. Achan's sin was only
keeping for his own what God laid claim
to.
Lesson 5. The Reading of the Law.
Gods people of old heard the law, read
plainLu, once; and they were ever after
held accountable under the law. What OF
our case who have both law and gospel in
our hands daily? The Israeites solemnly
pledged obedience, will we be as prompt
to respond?
Lesson 6. The cities Of refuge. God
made provision to spare the life OF those
who; by accident had taken life. How
much greater his grace to US who had
come under Just condemnation, and were
subject to eternal death. If we do not
run 10 our Refuge, we bring upon our
selves the consequences of transgresslon,
and Gods government isforever vindicated
Lesson Z. The Last Days of Joshua.
The people were asked to choose between
Jehovah and Baal. Every man in modern
times has the same choice, essentially, set
before him. 1t is Of no consequence to
say that we have passed out of the stage
of civilization wherein men bowed down
to blocks and stones; anything that di-
yides the heart with the service OF God
becomes an idol as really as an eastern
Moloch or Baal. Having chosen one we
have nothing to do with the other.
Lesson s. Israel Forsaking God. A
solemn promise avails nothing if we break
it. The son who said 81 60 sir" when
asked 10 labor for his father, gained no
credit or favor for his promise, when he
afterwards broke it, and did not 60. The
spoilers came upon Israel when they went
away from God with just as much violence
as if the people had never covenanted to
follow God and be his people.
Lsason 0. Gideon's Army. Again we
are taught what God will do for his
people when only few of them are at his
disposal. A multitude of foes are routed
when Gods people take the field under his
command. Every struggling praying
band of Gods followers may get courage
and instruction from this lesson.
Lesson 10. The Death of Samson.
God secures his own name from reproach
even in an idols temple. lie will not
ALWAYS suffer the proud to exalt themselves
Samson was faulty, and by his weakness
and wickedness fell, but God did moi
utterly forsake him, but rather gave him
power yet once more TO triumph over his
naughty and blasphemous enemies. God
will be gloriied among the nations.
Lesson IL. Ruth and Naome. In this
lesson we SEQ the power of godly liie
over those in our own homes. Ruth was
evidently held as much by the desire t'
have Jehovah for her God, as by any love
to her mother in law. A lasting reward
was gained by her determination to abide
with the people of God. 1t isralwaYs bes
TO be associated with the church.
Lesson 12. A Praying Mother Th'
world has but just begun to realize how
mighty a force is mothers prayer. The
best servants the church has had have been
those trained by praying mothers whit
early gave them to the Lord. Thos
lives which are doing most TO mould thu
life of the world are those given early t,
the Savior.
Lesson 13. The Child Samuel. Her
we see that a child may know God, serv
God hear the voice of God, become tru
prophet of Cod One great thing to b
done in the Sabbath school is to teacl
young people to recognize and obey tn
voice of God. The more boys and girl
we have to whom God speaks, and VIII
heed his word, the safer will it be 70
society and for our nation. We want ais
those who have God with them as he wa
with Samuel, then may we hope 10 Sc
Gods work advancing more rapidly in th
world.