The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-08
Sunday School Lesson for October 9.
JehosH1apH1at's Good Reign.
Chronicles, XVII, lilo.
BY j. e. GILBERT, D. D., IL. D.,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education.
2 Chronicles, XVII, Ito.

centuries men needed instruction In the
concrete, adapted TO their condition, and
a large rart of the purpose of sacred his
tory was to furnish data by which con-
clusions might be formed. Jehoshaphat
was abundantly rewarded for loving and
serving God. There was first of all per-
sunal blessing, and that was of two kinds.
",The Lord was with him tvcrse 81. lie
as cor scious Of the Divine presence, for
which every soul longs more or less fire.
ouently, presence for which David so
earnestly prayed psalm ii, III, which Is
the source of all inward peace psalm xvi
IL. Besides, he had the favor and conf
dence of his people. who manifested their
good will by bringing him numerous cost
ly presents, so that he had both riches and
honor (veise 81. In this was verified the
promise of God prov. Ill, ~. lie also had
national blessings. The fingdom was
firmly est6 blished In his hand. No one
rebeled-no one thought of rebelling
against such a good monarch prov. xiv,
3D.
FIDELITY Tho fifth verse gives a
glowing picture of a righteous king, rIl-
ing over a united and happy people, with
profit to himself and to them. A further
view Of this man of God is afforded in the
sixth verse, in two particulars that must
ever be closely related. First, his pri-
vate, spiritual or interior state is de-
scribed--"his heart was lifted up in the
ways of the Lord" This does not moan
that he was puffed up in vain, for them
must he have abandoned the ways of
the Lord, but that he was encouraged
spiritually strengthened. Such is always
the result of confidence in God UCph. vi,
10). Who will not be strong who looks
up to an approving God. looks inward to
l.aI;
loving people? Second he used his indi-
vidual strength for the public good and
| the Divine Elory-he took away the high
| places and groves. These had been set
up under Solomon q Kings Xi, y, and
under Rehoboam Il Kings xiv, 23). and
were consecrated to heather worship. In
| part they were removed by Asa III Chron.
XIV, 81, but Jehoshaphat continued what
his father began, seeking to rid the land
entirely of the last traces of idolatry, and
to restore it fully to the service Of the AL
mighty, as in the days of David
| TEACHERS.-The system of religion
and government established under Moses
| unlike every other system of the ancient
world, rested upon the free and inteli-
gent choice of the people. At the very
beginning provision was made for their
| instruction CLev. X. IL, the posterity of
Aaron being entrusted with the statutes
delivered from heaven, which they were
required to explain. For a time the
priests performed this high service Josh
| viii, 34-30. Eventually they gave them
selves tot the observance of ceremonies
and neglected the teaching minstrations
Azariah, the prophet, referred to this la
mentable condition of things g Chron. XIV
| 81 when he went to meet Asa the grea
reformer, and encourage him in the worl
| he had undertaken. When, therefore
Jeh oshaphat had been three years on Tho
throne, having adjusted military matter.
and proved his loyalty to God, he de
termined TO re-establish the Office of
teacher. But ho improved upon the orr
ginal system Verses : and 81. He select
ed five princes, nine Levites and tw
priests. sixteen persons In all, combining
thereby variety and efficiency, represent
ing the three branches of the public ser
vice, and designated them to be teachers