The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-03-01
SABBATH SCHOOL,
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
MARCH 5.
Lesson Text. "Keeping the SAP.
BATH" Neh. xiii, 15-22-Goid'
en- Text. Exodus xx.,
8-Commentary.

D&tu, ASCu. AhS 1oS&SSA
en- Text. Exodus xx.,
S-Commentary. -
This chapter gives an account OF the dis.
cipline OF Nehemiah in separating from Is
raehthe mixed'multitude, .and in cleansing
Israel from all strangers with whom they
had become entangled by marriage (verses
8, 30,. It tells also Of the discipline in ref.
erence to Sabbath dissertation, which Is our
special lesson for the day; but before taking
this up consider the dangers OF being en-.
tangled and hindered by a mixed multitude.
When Israel left Egypt a company Of that
kind went with them, and caused them much
trouble lex. xii, 3s; Mum. Il, A.. Much
trouble in the church to-day arises from the
people who are half and haif-the worldly
church members who are neither one thing
nor the other. ..... .......-..... o.,
amy think that the restoration under
Zerubbabel and the reformation Of Ezra and
Nehemiah fulfilled the prophecies concern
ing restoration, let them compare Isa. XIV,
1.3. with Neh. *, 38, 81. II any think that
we are now in the millennial age, or that the
church with her present zeal will bring that
age, let them be honest enough to believe
what is written, and they will surely see
that the Lord Himself must come for IsreaPs
age tPs. Gil, 10; Acts Ill, 1871
Is. "ln those days saw in Judah some
treading wine presses on the Sabbath"
Then he enumerates their other deeds of
Sabbath breaking and says that he testified
against them. The Sabbath was instituted
in Eden before ever sin entered this world,
and when God wrote with His finger the
Ten Commandments on two tablets OF stone
BE said, Remember the Sabbath day"
That man should give unto God one-seventh
Of bis time is law from the beginning and
Of perpetual, obligation.
16. "There dwelt men Of Tyre, also. who
sold on the Sabbath unto the children of
Judah, and in Jerusalem" God gives His
laws to His children because they are His
children. he gave no laws to Israel until
he had redeemed them from Egypt. No
man can be saved by the deeds OF the law,
but only by the grace Of God, but being
saved through Jesus Christ, who Is the end
Of the law for righteousness for every ono
that belisveth, it is then, and only then,
that the righteousness Of the law can be full
filed in us who walk not after the flesh, but
after the Spirit Rom. ILL.,, 20, "a; 4, 4:
| viii, A.. Those who know not God know no
| Sabbath, but the people Of Judah should
have shown the men OF Tyre that they kept
holy the Sabbath because Of their God.
There can be no trade with no buyers. and
unless the people Of Jerusalem had bought
/ the men Of Tyre had not sold.
II. 'Then contended with the mobiles Of
Judah and said unto them, What evil thing
is this that ye do and profane the Sabbath
dayr In verse II we read that he contend
| ed with them because they had forsaken the
house of God. The house Of God was Israefs
center, and the laws Of God their especial
delight, If they were Israelites indeed; but
| l. L1,, II
despise His word III Chron. xxxvi., l6), and
for this they went to Babylon. Now that
they have returned from captivity and left
their idols their hearts still wander from
God and His laws. And 80 1t was long after,
in the days of Malachi, wheu they robbed
God in tithes and offerings and said that 1t
was vain to serve God NAL. iii, 8. 14l.
1s. Ibid not our fathers thus? Yet ye
bring more wrath upon Israel by prcfaning
the Sabbath Although judgment hal
overtaken their fathers, yet they continu.
in the same SINS for not until the Ethiopian
can change his skin anil the leopard his
spots can those do good who are accustomed
to do evil tJer. Kill, 23. " An empty man
will get understanding when wild asss
colt Is born a man" Job. xi., II, r. ",
margin). Nothing will make man what he
ought to be but new heart q birth from
above, and this Is q new creation accom-
plished by the word and the spirit Of God.
| It is the gift Of God tEzsk. Ixxvi., 26), AMI
nothing can deprive one Of 1t but refusal 70
receive 1t. ,. $50
l9. sand some Of my servants set I at thu
gates, that there should be no burder
broughtin on the Sabbath day" There j:
such thing as compelling law breakers *
be obedient, and II our city rulers had tn'
spirit Of Nehemiah there would not be the
| 10 in
and alarmingly prevalent in all our cities
God will hold our rulers responsible for al
that they can prevent Of evil and do NOT
But to Be personal there are such com
mauds as these for believers. Lat US LAY
Aide every weight and the sin which doth
| 20 easily beset u.s." "Lst US cleanse our
selves from all filthiness Of the flesh ant
spirit" 'Put off the old man, with hi
deeds" lHeb. xii, /; Ii Cor. vii, l; Col. III.
81. And these we are bound to obey II :"
would know In our daily life anything
the meaning of true Sabbath rest
20. $50 the merchants and sellers o. al
kind, of ware lodged without Jerusaiea
once or twice." The perseverance ot To
does of evil ought to put to sha me the foi
lowers of Jesus. Those who desire to d.
1 away with the Sabbath are ottrimes NOR
united and persevering than those who bes
the name of Jesus and ought to stani 10
His holy day. Oh, to be flle1 with th
Spirit Of God and have at heart the inter
ests Of His kingdom!
a. From that time forth came they n
moro on the Sabbath he testined agains
them and threatened to lay hands on them
then they saw that he meant it, and de
sisted. We live in the Nineteenth Century
in the most advanced period OF the world
history. but where are the Nehemiahs AMI
the Daniels and the men who have at hear
above all things the honor and glory OF God
To come again to the topic Of little while
ago-the Sabbath Is the soul Of believer
we will not know it until we stand as decid
edly against every besstting sin and ever
phase Of the self life as did Nehemiah agalns
these Sabbath breakers.
%. Remember me, Oh my God, concern
ing this also. and spare me according to th'
greatne s. of Thy mercy" The proper me,
be santified, and they were men ceremonl'
ally clean. We must be clean in heart ant
life il we would be Of use to our Lord agains
evil and evildoers. As to keeping His holy
day. be sure that our own ways or pleasur.
or words are not in order on that day, ou
the whole day is for Him and Him oaly lisa
lviii., 49, AZ. See how Nehemiah, after all
his efforts in the service Of God, takes refugt
in the mercy Of God. By grace are WI
saved, in gracs We stand, and 1t Is grace
that snail Be brought unto US at the reYeia
ton Of Jesus Christ. Salvation from begin
ming to end is all OF grace, but Tor our WORK:
we Shall be rewarded if done unto Him
Eph. il. s, 10; Rom. iv., S; xiv, 10; Cor
ill.,, Ills Lesson Helper.
| MISS ELLA KNOWLES was candl
date for Attorney General Of Mon