The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-12-03
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
Dec. A, 1S9S-II Kings xii, $40.

Josiah was lilly a dunghill." His nation
had sadly deteriorated in cruel and ncentious
idolasry The temple was on the edge OF ruin;
the law had not only been lost, but the fact
OF its existence forgotten But the boy-king, in
spite of such environment, was pure and
white. He exhaed the sweet breath Of piety.
But he was exotic recluse. contemplative
saint. At twenty years of age he began
sparing crusade against idols. After he had laid
low the images, affairs and high places of a
false faith, he naturally turned to the neglected
shrine Of the true God. He began thorough and
extensive repairs. While the carpenters, build
ers and masons' were busy moving and turning
stones and timbers most unexpected and inn
portant find was made 1t was not a mere
curio valuable only because Of associations. 1t
had the very highest possible intrinsic worth. 1t
was, in fact, treasure the price of which was
beyond computation. 1t was the Law, the orig
inal temple parchment of the Pentateuch. The
ignorance and baseness of the nation be
guaged by the fact that it could lose its Bible
and then even forget the loss. No time lost
in reporting discovery to the king well CAL
cuated to cause him great joy. The kings glad
ness, however, was soon turned to grief he
listened to the maledictions of the law, and felt
how great were the omissions and transgressions
Of the people. He commanded that some of those
possessed OF the spirit of prophecy be sought out
and inquired of as to how PREPARATION should be-
made and penalty avoided. The Lord answer by
the voice of Huldah, the prophecies, was prac-
tically that the nation such had already snned
away its day of grace. While individuals the
king included, would find mercy, the nation as
such must suffer the natural and unavoidable
consequence of its evil courses.
MOSAIC FROM COMMENTARIES.
The book of the law: The name givensto the
five books of Moses.-Todd.
Gave the book: An act of courtly etiquette
Shaphan was the official representative of the
crown.-Hurlbut.
The king: His father and grandfather were
idolaters. but the influences on his mothers side
were favorable to the pure religion-Peloubet.
Showed the king: Shaphan bearing the book
gives calm account of the business on which
he had been sent at first arrangement about the
money gathered. When that business is dis
patched he tells the king about the discovery.
And read it: Probably the king could not read
Reading was a difficult art and few understood
Rent his clothes: Brought face to face with the
awful curse of God pronounced nearly thousand
years before upon the nation for the very sins
which had characterized the reigns of his father
aud grandfather. amazenent took possession OF
him He rose from his throne, humbled himself
before the Lord and Wept.--Pentecost.
THE TEACHERS LANTERN
First-The Bible is lost book to a multitude
of folk 1t is as utterly lost as the Pentateuch
in the day of Josiah. 1t Is at hand but neg
lected. Once opened 1t would be discovered It's
beauty. variety. value. Happy would it be if all
young men would find their Bibles as the young
king did.
Second-There was an admirable continuity in
the kings goodness. He did that which was
right and turned not aside to the right hand or
the left
Thrd-There is here incidental lesson in
courtesy not to be overlooked Hilkiah the high
priest, did not carry the book in person to the
king, as he might have done in good form from
his exalted office. He honored Shaphan the kings
secretary. Shaphan reciprocates the courtesy.
and does not neglect to name Hilkiah to the king
$ having given him the book.
Fourth-Josiah's career unfinished. He
was killed in battle while yet a young man. What
became of his reform? Let one think il a
lost cause Josiah and his reformation
vived In the pious remnant that returned from
the exile OF Babylon, rebuilt temple and city,
revived the ritual and the reading Of the Scrip
lures and prepared the way of the Messiah.
There might have been pous remnant had 1t
not been for Josiah and his reformation