The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-14
Sunday School Lesson for Feb. 81, 1886.


THE SECOND TEMPLE-Ezra i, Ia; iii, 8-13.
GOLDEN TgxT-They praised the Lord because the
foundation OF the house of the Lord was laid.-Ezra
81, H.
The first Of the three captivisies of Judah.
phen Daniel was carried to Babylon. occurred
b the year B. c. COG The decree of Cyrus per-
uniting the Jews to return to Jerusalem was
Sssued seventy years thereafter, B. c. $50. The
temple built by Solomon was utterly destroyed
by Nebuchadnezzar, B. G. 5S8. It lay in ruins
for ffty-two years. when the foundations of
SIS successor were laid, as recorded in
eur lesson, by Zerubbabsl and his as
aociate Jews After various hindrances
u was finished and given to God. twenty one
years after 1t was begun, B. c. 515. After the
return Of the Hebrews from captivity among
foreign nations they were called Jews" from
Judah, their ancestor. and the land of Israel at
the same time begins to be called Judea for the
same reason. Cyrus, son Of Cambyses. king of
Persia, and Mundane daughter Of Astyages,
king Of the Modes, was sole ruler of Babylon at
this time. By inheritance and marriage he got
possession of the crown OF united Medo-P Persian
power He was foretold by Isaiah as the king
who would restore Judah, and he did it. lisa.
xiv. 2S; xiv. IT; Second Chron. xxxvi, %. %.
Daniel was his official favorite Daniel vi, 28.)
The book of Ezra was written by Ezra, and
contains history of the return of the Jews; it
also records what he himself did subsequently,
d. G. $50. 1t would seem to be II Chronicles
continued.
PRACTICAL LESSONS.
!. The new year seems most fitting time to
leave behind the Babylon of our captivity to bad
habits, evil companions, luxurious indulgences,
sinful practices. God is opening the way back
20 happy experiences of the past. Let us 60.
2. Gods people ought to be builders. Each
can do something to build the church and its in
huence. We build, not did the Jews around
hope for an expectedl Messiah, but we have the
grander work of building house in which He is
to manifest forth His present power and glory.
he has come, and we ere to let men know the
grand fact
g. The place Of music in our worship is here
illustrated. 1t is first of all for the worship of
God, to praise the Lord in solemn and beautiful
forms. It's next office is to cheer the hearts of
the workers He who can sing can be . very
great blessing to the man who works.
A. Two classes of good people are here illus
trated who hinder rather than help each other.
The one looks 80 constantly at the past, and the
things of the past, that their voice is one Of
weeping; it is sad minor key that sounds in
plsintive style the lost glores Of the church, as
these old men mourned over the lost glories of
the old temple. The other class lift their voices
IN shouts Of joy over the hopes and expectations
they cherish that. with all its losses, yet 1.-THE
glory of the latter house." the second temple.
9hali excel that Of the former-the temple of
Solomon.
THE GREAT TEACHING.
/ For belief We have here good ill,lstra-
lion of the truth that God goes before and works
IN the interest of his people Some seem to
think that God must be induced by special
prayer to undertake all important plans and are
fond Of pointing to every revival, or marked con-
version, or specially good Sermon as the answer
Of their prayers. This is the presumption
and not the power Of faith God plans,
prepares the way leads on toward
results. and the Spirit then inspires men to pray
and work along that line. God works for saliva
bon, summer and winter, when the church slum-
bers SIS we'll as when it prays.
z For practice. When you feel powerfully
drawn to a special work pray about it. and go at
il with the firm belief that God has gone ahead
pf you, and is preparing the way. And when
our unconverted friends find las did Cyrus) how
they have been led and Influenced by God, they
will, like Him, be inclined to follow the Divine
leading.