The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-10-01
Sunday School Lesson for October T.
Reformation Under Asa.
Chronicles, XIV, 2-12.
BY j. e. GILBERT, d. D., IL. D.,
Secretary of American Society OF Religious Education
2 Chronicles, XIV, 2-12

REFORMER.-Havi thus over
thrown all forms and appliances for
the worship of false gods King Asa
set himself to the reformation or re-
construction of the religious system in
troduced by Moses. He issued a proc
lamation (verse ~ calling upon all the
inhabitants of Judah to seek the Lord.
He desired a spiritual return, turn
ing away from the denominations, a
yielding of the heart in an earnest in
quiry after the God of their fathers.
He re-instated the law, both the moral
and ceremonial law, together with all
the commandments, thus touching ev-
cry side of the life of the people, civil,
domestic, religious, commercial BY
so doing he restored the ancient order
of things and made his kingdom, so
far as it was possible at that time
the kingdom of heaven, in many ways
like the kingdom of David, his illus
trious ancestor. 1t is no wonder that
as result the text declares that "the
kingdom was quiet" (verse 50. How
could it be otherwise? The people must
have recognized the wisdom and the
goodness of their sovereign, and under
the wholesome laws, delivered from
cured, and plenty once more gladdened
all hearts.
PROSPERITY.-With the overthrow
of idolatry and the establishment of
the religion of the fathers came, as
might have been expected, a desire
and an opportunity for internal i'm
provements. A righteous king always
seeks the welfare of his people, and
righteous people always prosper Matt.
vi. 3S). Without difficulty Asa secured
the cooperation of his subjects, who
had learned to trust him and had come
to recognize the beneficent character
of his administration oversees go. In
all parts of the dominion men were
| set to work building fenced cities.
| Walls, towers, gates and bars ap-
| peared with astonishing rapidity. In
our time attention would be given to
| railways, steamships, Libraries, hospit-
| ais, schools and churches. But in that
| day, when war was waged for aggran-
| disement. the first concern of a right
eous people was security against en-
| emies. The times of prosperity were
| therefore employed in strengthening
| defences This was the order in Asa s
| observation-disclosures unity, pros
| perity, protection. There was states
manship of the highest order.
| MILITARY-While serving God and
trusting in Him King Asa did not de"
pend wholly upon Divine power for
the nations protection. That fact was
apparent in the building of fenced
cities. He had not learned the new.
| tangled ideas of certain modern peace
societies. He knew that as long as
men were under the control of evil
| passions they would fight Hence he
| had an army. and an immense one 1t
was, of which any sovereign in Europe
would be proud (verse 81 Three hun
dred thousand out of the tribe OF Ju-
dab and nearly as many more from the
tribe of Benjamin which had become
absorbed in the kingdom of Judah
Mighty men they We're, mon of valor.
They were armed part with spears
and part with bows. the implements of
warfare most used in those days. This
military sunporr was in full harmonv
with all Old Testament Representa-
tOns of nations. Israel went out OF
Egypt a well-organized army (EX
xiii 49, Joshua entered Canaan and
conquered it Josh, '39D David, tho
poet, the man after Gods own heart
was the warrior who slew GOLIATH and
! gained victories over all national foes
| psalm, Xviii:34.l
ENEMIES -Asa's preparations fol