The true northerner., 1890-12-31
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
AN INTERESTING AND INsTRUc-
TIVE LESSON.
Reflections OF an Eievating Character--
Wholesome Food for Thought = Study
ing the scriptural Lesson Intelligentiy
and ProftabIy.

The Sunday-school editor wishes all a
happy new year in Sunday-school work.
With this lesson eve go back 10 the Old Tes-
lament, taking up the new career upon
which Israel entered with the separation
OF the two Kingdoms. We are I'm good
state OF readiness now for the perusal OF
these Old Testament lessons. The proper
way To study the Bible Is 10 begin with the
gospels The first thing we do when we
would go through and examine a house
Is to get the key. And what Is the key
TO the Old Testamenty 1t was given to
US by Jesus himself a week or two since:
5And beginning at Moses and all the proph-
cts he expounded unto them the things con-
cerning himself"
WHAT THE LESS IN SAYS.
(Note. 1t Is not proposed here to make
comment on all the words and Incidents
involved. The abundant literature now
within reach OF almost all would seem 10
make such full treatment needless. Our
aim Is To give hints and sIgges tions in a
study of the language used not otherwise
attainable by the reader. The intention,
in fact Is TO present in this department
matter fairly original and such as may
justly reward supplementary study on the
part OF all.)
Rehoboam. Roboam, says the Douly
version. so also Matt /: Z. The septua-
gint and the Vulgate likewise. The word
literally means, enlarger OF the people.
All Israel This was probably a popular
ratification. judah had already accepted
time, the closing sentence OF the preceding
chapter so implying
Jeroboam. This name Is strikingly SINH
lar In the original TO the name Rehoboam,
especially as used in the Septuagint. IL
originally means his people are many. The
derivation which makes it signify peoples
contention is probably an after-thought.
In Egypt. Here he is said to have married
into the royal family. Dwelt. Implying
established residence
Sent and called. The language suggests
"A formal embassage OF the people. The al
tered form of the Revision does not seem
called for by the original. (sce Varia-
tions.)
Yoke. There is an intlmation OF ex-
action on Solomon's part in several places.
e. g., 1 Kings, 4: :. Lighter. The word is
used OF tightening the load on the back OF
beast of burden. And we will. The
proposition OF terms implies a spirit OF in
dependence already strongly developed.
Departed. The word following close
upon the preceding word depart, as spoken
by the king, hints at the ready obedience
the people were inclined TO give a true SOW
ereign.
Consulted. One of the earliest intima-
tions OF cabinet. Before Solomon. Solo
mons wisdom shown in measures formed
and the advisers chosen. How do ye adj
wise? Same root as consulted above. Not
implying that he was prepared to follow
their advice. 1t may have been mere
form on his part TO fill the letter OF law as
precedent.
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES.
And Rehoboam went To Shechem. Shechera
means opportunity. But IL was Rehoboam
who came TO the opportunity. Therefore
Shechem means failure. The word Shechem
literally signifies shoulder or strength; the
word Rehoboam. on the other hand mean
ing, by its etymology, enlarger OF the peo-
pie. 1t was splendid day for the son OF
Solomon. All Israel came there TO make
him king. But his day OF strength was
turned to weakness, his enlargement was
not OF the Lord He was selfish, arrogant,
heady. Hence the king instead OF lifting
himself higher by means OF these shoulders
OF strength, fel! therefrom. 10 the nations
discontinue and disintegration. There
come Shechem times In the lire OF all OF us;
taken at their flood, they lead on TO for
tune. But the fortune that is won depends
wholly on who IL is that comes TO Shechem.
Is IL "A Rehoboam? There is no prosperity
for him.
They sent and called him. A formal sum-
mons: but Jeroboam was waiting TO receive
it, 1t was the opportune time for him.
There in the land of his honorable exile,
where IL is said he had already been re-
ceived into the royal family, he was waiting
for the time To come when, as the prophet
had assured him, he should be called TO lead
the people. "Whose people are many" was
the meaning OF his name, and he doubtless
felt within himself the aspirations and the
capacities that were like whispering
prophecies of what was 10 come. As with
RehobOam, this, the future leader OF Israel,
had his redeeming traits. and there are
lessons OF good to be learned from his life.
God always has his man ready FOR every
emergency In the worlds affairs. lt might
be n Cyrus or n Pharaoh, like n messenger
Of Satan TO buffet. Even Plate and
Judas do not subvert the plans or purposes
OF God When Israel was determined TO
have king, there was Saul. When she
would live apart, there was a Jeroboam.
And we will serve Thea. ls was like dec
laration OF IA parliament OF the people. or
Ike the old demands OF the barons Of En-
gland when truculent kings came To tho
throne. Very much like sedition il sounds,
this making terms with a king. but the king
who moclls at IL and over oohs 10 is king no
longer. The only true leader OF the people
is the one who goes before them like shep-
herd rather than behind them with whips
like an overseer. This was not Rehoboam.
If thou wilt be a servant. Let the king
keep it in mind. He Is nothing more than
servant. Like the pastor OF flock. servus
seryorum is his name, a servant Of servants.
servant par excellence. The evils that
have come I'm statecraft have been because
men in high station have forgotten this and
have gene To serving self rather than the
people. 1t Is n lesson applicab . TO other
forms OF government than the monsrchical.
IN our own free America we may well pom
der II. The party that is lifted into power
* the party that best serves the people;
and as soon as the dominant party begins
10 figure and manucver for itself and the
personal interests OF its leaders, the people
arise TO vote it down. So mote IL be-
My little finger shall he thicker than my
fathers loins 1t was n sentence cleverly
turned. Possibly, some young rhetorician
among the kings attendants framed IL for
him. So pretty IL was, so neat and shrewd
and sharp, that they all said, "Just the
thing; just the thing-it shall be our an
sweP TO the people It is not the only time
i'm history when mems hearts have been
turned by a nice sentence, and TO round a
cunning period thcy have jeopardized or
sacrificed kingdom. I'll am the statc;p
cleverly said. but the descendants Of Louis
Fourteenth bad to pay for It. "To the VIC
tor belongs the spoils.n aroused whole
people and reversed more than one canvass.
"Wky.n said Governor Marcy, "that is nog a
new sentiment. IL has often been said be-
fore.r "Yes.n was the reply, "but you ought
not TO have put IL so that any fool could
remember it and repeat it.n Rchoboam's
rheyOTic cost him his realm.
RULES FOR BUSINESS.