The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-03-07
READING FOR THE DAY.

Sunday-School Lesson for March IA, 1886.
EsTHER's PETIrIoN.-Esth iv, 1O-17 and v, 1-3.
Golden Text--So will go in unto the king which
Is not according to the law; and if perish perish
Esther w. L.
Through the within Of Persian king sweet,
beautiful Jewish maiden comes to be the favor
lite queen of the realm, and has the opportunity
to save her people ont of a great danger. to il
lustrate the noblest virtues of womanhood, and to
exalt the God of her fathers. We have now come
to historic times, and the king Of this lesson is
the great Xerxes, who reigned over what was,
up to that time, the largest empire in the world,
4S6-465 B. G. 1t was part of his army that
was met by Leonidas at Thermopyla, Aug. Z,
4s0 B. G. It was his great fleet that was defeat
ed at Salams by the famous Themstocles. Ac-
cording to the historian Herodotus. he called his
great captains and mobiles together for a feast
that lasted six months, for the purpose Of con-
sidering the invasion of Greece. At the close of
a smaller feast that followed. while intoxicated,
he insulted and then removed his favorite queen,
Vashti. This made vacancy which was after
ward filed by Esther. Her name is not given
by the ancient historians But as these Persian
monarchs had so many queens, and changed so
often, this is not at all strange.
We do not know the author of the Book OF
Esther, but it is very likely friend Of the Jew
Mordecai, who furnished him the facts that make
UP the history. It is most beautifully written
and most skillfully arranged to teach the great
doctrines of the Jewish religion without once
mentioning the name of God Such book would
naturally circulate widely without being consid-
cred a religious book. But where will you find
clearer ideas of prayer and providence, faith and
purity, heroism and the victory that overcometh
the world, than in this Book of Esthers
PRACTICAL LESSONS.
I Read tha Rock of Esther Tn tho children
and youth. 1t is, like the stories of Joseph, and
David, and Daniel, full of interest, and is sure
to awaken their better feelings.
2. The sense of the peril of sinners would be
great inspiration for US to put forth more eff
forts for their salvation. We do not act as
though they we're in great danger We need to
have it pushed on us, as was the peril of the
Jews on Esther.
g. 1t is very possible that many professors of
religion may be destroyed with the sinners for
whose salvation they make no effort The man
who has no sufficient sense of the perils of 9th
ers to lead him 20 work for them. has not enough
feeling to work out his own salvation with fear
and trembling.
A. God often gives Us the privilege of doing
some good work, sets before US some open door,
and if we fail to enter he gives the honor and
glory to some more willing and obedient SOUL
5. We are tested and revealed by responsible
ties. and the way that we act when we carry
great interests shows the depth and force of our
characters. It was but step here between
cowardice and courage Esther could have found
many good reasons for inaction and delay. But.
like every noble nature, she gravely and ear
nestly sees nothing but her duty.
THE GREAT TEACHING.
/. For Belief. We find here opportunity to
teach the Christian privilege of prayer by placing
it in sharp contrast to To hindrances of Esther.
Esther's prayer might have been her ruin; ours
is sure of favor and lfe She went trembling;
we 60 with boldness into the Kings presence.
This method of contrast is one of the most
effective ways of presenting truth to the young.
g For Practice. We are impressed with the
need of preparation for any special Christian
work. 1t is ours to go to men with request; we
want their good will to be given to Jesus. Each
man is an imperious king over his own action.
We can strengthen ourselves by prayer, and es-
pecially are we strong if we know that others are
praying for US. We need league for prayer.
Especially should the minister have it. If we
go to our work from our knees we shall often Sc
cure the request we make, and men will give
their hearts to Jesus.