Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1896-09-10
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
International Lesson for September go,
1S96-Destructive viees-Proverbs I6:
22-23

Golden Text-There is a way that
seemeth right unto a man; but the end
thereof ere tbs ways of death.-Prov.
1926.
EXPLANATORY.
l. The Fountain of Life VS.. The Burn
ing Fire.-Vs. 22-27. %. Understand
ing:" wisdom, a true and accurate
knowledge, with desire to live accord
ing TO il 1t is not a knowledge of
science alone. or of the world, but of all
things pertaining TO life-a knowledge
of God, of the heart, of the law of God,
of the principles of true living. lis
wellspTing, fountain, of Iife:" If "a man
has real understanding and wisdom,
good outward life will flow from it as
freely and naturally as water flows
from fountain. And there is no other
way in which to have a good life. Hence,
Eye must be born again.
27. IAN ungodly man, the man of
Belial, diggeth up evils" Such an one
digs pit for others (chap. 2e% 81: Pisa.
Z: 49,, devises mischief against his
neighbor, plots against him by lying,
and slandering, and overreaching.
''Whoso diggeth pit shall fall therein;
and he that setteth trap shall be taken
therein. Pulpit Com. "And in his
hps:" there is as "a burning fire."
(chap. 20: 23). His words scorch and
injure like a deyouring flame. James
2: 6, the tongue is a fire; the world of
iniquity among our members is the
tongue, which defileth the whole body.
and setteth on fire the wheel of nature,
and is set on fire by hell."-Pulpit Com.
III. Words, Good and Bad.-Vs. %,
"a, 2s, 30. %. THE heart of the wise
teacheth the mouth" If the heart is
wise, the words spoken will be wise.
Words are the easiest expression of the
thoughts. The water of the stream will
be like the water of the fountain from
which it flows.
2S. ~ froward mani" subversive
man, perverse, bent on mischief. devils
ing ways of overthrowing good and in
juring others. "Soweth strife as one
sows evil seed broadcast, to spring up
wherever there is congenial soil.
30. Here the froward mans methods
are described. "Te shutteth his eyes to
devise froward things:" He LET'S noth-
ing interfere from without, but gives
himself wholly to studying new wicked
sayings, daggers of speech, poison of
t,sps. seeds of Upas trees, so that when
he moves his lips" to speak, "he bring
eth evil to pass" LET two idle tongues.
utter tale against some third person
who never offended the babblers. and
how the tale spreads like fire, lighted
none knows how. in the heritage Of an
American prairie; who shall put it
out?"
III. The Two Ways.-Vs. 25, 20. 25.
'There is a way that seemeth light unto
q man. because he is ignorant. or per-
verted in Judgment, or prejudiced, or
misled by his desires. He makes him
self believe for the time that what he
wants is wise and right, while all the
time 1.-THE end thereof are the ways of
DEATH
20. Not only are men misled them
selves, but violent man." full of pas
sionate power, ready TO do evil, per-
haps made violent by strong drink, "en-
teeth his neighbor:" tempts him, and
misleads him into the way thai is not
good: into vice and drunkenness.
~. Four Aids to Telnperance-Vs.
&c, 31-33. First. Honest industry. &c.
HE that laboreth, iaboreth for him
self" literally. the soul of him that la
boreth laboreth for him. "Soul'' here is
equivalent to desire" appetite"
comp. chap 6:30), and the maxim sig
nities that hunger is a strong incentive
70 work-the needs of the body spur the
laborer to diligence and assiduity.
For his mouth craveth it of him:"
his mouth must have food to put in it.
Hunger in some sense Is the great slim
Mus of all work. eve command you."
says St. Paul e Thes. 3:1O), that if
any would not work, neither should he
eat" There is a spiritual hunger with
out which grace cannot be sought or
obtained that hungering and thirsting
after righteousness of which Christ
speaks, and which He who is the Bread
of Life is ready 20 satisfy Matt. $50:
John $3.50
Second. The Way Of Righteousness.
81. The hoary head is a crown of
glory Chap. 2o:29). (For crown see
Chap. 17:6) Old age is the reward
of good life. and is rather an honor to
man comp. chap. So. 16; 4:10; OIL;
1920. IF it be found rather it
shall be found-''in the way of right
eousness:" the guerdon of obedience
and holiness; whereas bloody and de-
ceitful men shall not live out half their
days" (Psa. 55:23) .-Deane
Third. Self Control % He that is
slow to anger" controls his temper and
passions, sis better than the mighty"
for it requires more strength and cou1-
age than any feats of physical strength
Fourth.-The Divine Guidance.-33.
''The lot is cast into the lap" The bo-
som or fold of the garment Chap. 6:27;
II: %; 21: 14). For the lot probably
they employed stones differing in shape
or color, or having some distinguishing
mark. These were placed in vessel or
In the fold of garment, and drawn or
shaken thence. Such practice has
been common in all ages and countries.