The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-11-21
SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON
CALCULATION AND REVIEW OF IN
TERNATIONAL TOPIC, NOV. %.
Wisdom's FxhOrtations, as Set Forth
in Proverbs iii, Verses 1-14-God's
Will the Highest Wisdom.
BY Pew. JAMES E. GILBERT.
cretary of American Society of Religious Edu-

INTRODCCTION.-In Verses / and IL and In
other places in this book och. ii. 1; w. 2W
the expression my son." Some have inferred
from these words that Solomon intended to as
sumo the place of counsellor OF young men. a
position for which he eminently qualified by
his experiences and opportunities. (Ch. iv. 3D.
While this may have been true II must not be
forgotten that the Book of Proverbs more than
the fatherly advice of great king. delivered
by inspiration. 1t contains rather a statement
of those immutable and fundamental prime piles
which are derived from the realities and rela-
lions of things styled here wisdom, introduced
in the first six verses OF the first chapter, and
personifed and represented as speaking in the
remainder of the book. tCh. 1. 2o) Hence. our
lesson is not the teaching of a wise man. but the
instruction and exhortation of wisdom, addressed
to all her children. Matt XII, 1e) 1t has
seemed proper. therefore, TO exchange the topic
given by the international committee. Rewards
OF Obedience, applicable only TO the opening
verses, for another as above. suitable to the en-
tire passage.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. first word pertains to
conduct. There is regulative rule of life the
law commandment of wisdom. 1t has been
proclaimed and enjoined (Ch. 1. 2D. that none
need be Igno-ant of it. This rule is not to he
forgotten. Among the many directions given for
human guidance this must be held supreme. Ii
should be treasured in the memory and in the
affections Deut. vi, %. and entire and .nques-
toned obedience should be yielded at all times
TO its requirements. But why? Because thereby
length of days and long life Will be secured.
This direct and positive promise. so frequently
overlooked. is many times uttered in Scripture.
psalm xci. 49, No one can doubt that SUBJ
mission to law tends to longevity, as violation of
law shortens life. psalm ". 2s.) Besides
with this heightened life shall come peace psalm
xxx ID freedom from fear and anxiety, rest
fulness and repose OF spirit psalm cxix. 1861,
peace with men. with Cod with ones self
Therefore. learn the laws of life and obey them,
INTEGRITY.-Matthe Arnold has said that
age man judges himself ana his fellow by his
dseds-by no means an unworthy standard.
Matt vii, l6) But no man is good who lives
by law. even though IL is wisdoms law. lie
must have beside what will put his inner self in
sion. prov. N. 81 To insure genuine probity
integrity wisdom offers mercy and truth-a
exact conformity TO fact. These. united. secure
purity OF heart och. xvi. %. and nobility of char
heart. so that they may be efaced. I'll Cor
iii, 81 They should also be bound about the
the oldon time. ODeut. IL 81 In this way these
excellent qualities craven within and wcrn
spicuously without win be by God. who
looks only at the heart der. xvii. 10l. and by
men. who behold the external 81 sam. xvi. -
SO shall find favor in the sight of God and
DEPENDENCE-T weakness and Ignorance
Of in his best state. and the uncertainty of
life however bright its present prospect appea rs
to be the next theme on which wisdom speaks
Lean not 10 thine UNDERSTANDING the
knowledge gathered from all in
adequste-be not 80 concerted as suppose that
shCrt-sighted Is sufficient. Look up
there il infinite Mind that knows all things.
and an infinite Hand able 10 do. (Eph ill., 20.)
Trust in the Lord confide in Him. depend
upon Him. leave your interests In His hands DO
this with ali your heartfelt every impulse be
toward Him. Rest in Him helpless babe
rests I'm its mothers arms psalm cNvi. -
And. in directing any effort in any earthly mat
r, acknowledge
% attempt anything except In His name and
according 10 His viii IL Cor. X. SD This adj
vice does not abrc gate all those words thar urge
thought concerning ones duty. but reinforces
such words He who puts min self ia the spirit
OF dependence in Gods Will be directed in
the right path. tier Y. 221
rMILlTY.-fNefses and 81 We passing
rapidly down into the very heart OF things. A
right attitude toward law. cultivation OF ex-
ceilent qualities. feeling OF dependence upon