The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-28
THE ELEVEN LESSONS.
REv. FDWSED \. yHLL airs A GL-
rIEW FOR THL gviArhE.
They Embrace n Period Of Four Hundred
Practical Lessons Suggested
and what They Mean
December 2s.-Review.

DtCciuDtI <'-RrFtSWs
The lessons for the quarter just ended
embrace a period OF four hundred years.
II Will be impossible In the single hour
devoted 10 review 10 cover this ground:
we can only hope to point out the more
prominent peaks In the landscape and to
recall the more practical lessons which
they suggest.
L The first lesson Is n picture Of Israel.
taken after the people had gotten into
their new home and had begun to get
into trouble. When the children of Israel
entered Canaan II was with the distinct
understanding that they were to make
a clean sweep of idols and idolators and
free the land OF the temptations To which
they were peculiarly susceptible. They
saw the Importance OF II clearly enough
at first. but few years OF nghtins cooled
their ardor. and when men grow cola
they grow Indifferent to the presence OK
temptation. The consequence was they
concluded to have their own way ana
their way led them into trouble: they
cultivated their neighbors and were over
come by them. That vas long time
ago. but the world has not yet found
out how IL can have its own way and not
get into trouble: nor have Gods people
learned how to parley with Satan with
out being overcome by him.
2. The second lesson Is picture OF
the heart of God. il tells us how, not
withstanding Israel was suffering on
account of our wiilfulness, God pitied
them and raised up judges to deliver
them The story of Gideon teaches us
that in Gods battles numbers do not
count: that the man who Is IN the right
is In the majority; that when we nave
no weapons and every way seems blocked
IL f.rtrft rot "a
for God: and that simple expression OF
faith when we cannot work VIII open ti~
way for us 10 work.
2 In the third lesson we learn that,
however dark the times, God is never left
without witnesses. Bad as was the
period OF the judges, salt was FOUND 10
save IL in such examples OF falth ana
piety as Naomi and Ruth.
The fourth lesson reveals the hand
OF God at work for the future welfare OF
his people. A prophet Is needed, ana
God begins TO make a prophet by making
n pious mother. Samuels education ne
gins before he is born. We do not Won
der that a child who was consecrated 10
the Lord from the beginning, ana VINO
was wholly given up TO his service from
infancy should be vouchsafed a heavenly
vision rather than such weak old priest
az Eli. nor do we wonder when we see
how the boy did that God should use MN
ever afterward for his mouthpiece Lit
tie Samuel on his pallet tells us now 10
receive a revelation from God. We need
No, omen our Bible " we cannot say
sneak. Lord, for thy servant heareth'
THE nth lesson shows us Samuel
engaged I'm the work for which Goa ma"
raised him up. Backslidden Israel has
come to it's senses. and the prophet, see
Ing his opportunity, calls tne peopie "
reather to pray for them IL Is the p'o-
ture OF a faithful pastor trying TO get
his wandering flock back into the ioin'
He does not stop short OF getting 'ne''.
inside He brings them 10 the point or
conaecration. and then they are SAFE.
Tba Philistines may draw near, but they
are safe When men give themselves up
IN God. all the artillery of heaven IS III
position 20 shelter them.
& I'm the sixth lesson the people are
again taking the reins INTO lner own
bonds Their form OF government IL TOO
religious sor them, and they want King
IKE other nations They used 10 glory
IN being a peculiar people; now they are
backslidden. and they have a horror or
being different from the rest OF the
world. They are determined 10 haNe
tbair own way. and God lets them. But
thom Cod does not leave them 10 them
selves and they are given to understand
that the new king is Of his own choosing.
saul is brought before them, and the
roonle shout God save the king' and
the new government is inaugurated under
the most suspicious circumstances, put
what are auspicious circumstances wnen
mon choose their own way rather than
Gods?
was there ever young man OF inner
nromise than Saul? Did ever young
man have better chance? He was the
first human king OF Gods chosen nation'
On the throne of Israel he was the sue
cessor OF Jehovah himself, And now he
Is rejected. All that can be done for a
man VIII not make a man. The fact
that God chooses man for a high POSI-
ton is no evidence that God will petrify
a man in that position. He never calls
a man 10 a place without also calling him
10 watch and pray in that place.
s. Temperance lesson.)
O There is little time for a prophet 10
weep Poor Samuel is almost broken
hearted, but Gods work canot stop ana
the old prophet dries his tears and goes
of to Bethlehem 10 anoint new king.
There he learned that when God wants
man he does not choose him with tape
measures, anu What TIC fHoi We wv t'oh
may. after ALL be the man God has chosen.
Looking at this obscure shepherd boy 1t
does not seem strange. after all, that he
should have been chosen above his breth-
rem. though II must be remembered that
the highest talent would have been worth
less # the Spirit of the Lord had not come
upon David from that day forward"
10. In the tenth lesson we have excel
lent evidence that the Spirit OF the Lord
did come upon him. While armed and
armored sollers are running from
the giant he goas out to night the
Phllistine In the name of God OF Israel,
whose armies he has dehed The story
tells us how to overcome the giant tempt
atoms which so often beset us.
H. The closing lesson Is a love story
Poor David prosecuted by hts king, needs
the love OF friend 10 keep his heart
warm and sweet What friend David
had In Jonathan'
What a friend We have In Jesus.P