The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-09-24
Sunday School Lesson for September Is.
Third Quarterly Review.
BY ]. e. GILBERT, D. D., L. D.,
Secretary of American Society OF Religious Education.

I.-INTRoDUCTIoN.-The two books
of Samuel and the two books of Kings
are occupied chiefly with the dark
sido OF life in Israel. The student
must not infer that there was no bright
side. There is abundant evidence that
many good men lived in those centu-
ries. and that at times goodness flour
ished (Kings XIX. IN. But the proph-
cts who wrote these books had a pur-
pose to serve. They desired to show
the nature and consequences of sin
for the instruction OF future genera
tions; to present the folly of monarchy
which the people demanded in the time
of Samuel q Sam. viii. g., in the place
of a pure theocracy; to find a basis for
a new order as a preparation for Mes
siah, in which the church should be
independent OF the state; to vlndicate
the wisdom and goodness of God in
His treatment of the chosen people;
and to illustrate the principles of the
Divine administration. And they Sc
lected materials accordingly. In re-
viewing the twelve lessons of the quar-
ter 1t is proposed to cast them in a
new order, with brief comments. to
make them bear on one or more of the
purposes of the entire history.
1.-THE NATIONAL SINS EXPOSED
Four distinct aspects of this subject
are presented in as many lessons, in
! creasing in blackness as we advance.
LESSON 1.-The division of the king
dom into two parts, B. c. 975, showed
| first, that the north and the south
were alienated, ready on slight provo
cation to draw apart, rather than to
labor together for the prosperity of
the kingdom; second, that Rehoboam
lacked the wisdom of his father and
the piety of his grandfather and that
he was disposed to be tyrant rather
than the vice-gerent of God; third. that
Jeroboam the returned fugitive, cared
more for honor and power than nation
al unity; fourth. that the initial sin
of Soloman. through the instiga ton of
his wife q Kings xi, H. injected virus
which could not be removed from the
body polite and called for punish
ment.
LESSON Am the flight of the
prophet Elijah from Samaria to Horeb
for the preservation of his life we see
how wickedness intrenched itself in
high places Jezebel, the queen, was
heather, an ardent supporter Of Baal
and Ashtaroth. Her marriage to the
king of Israel was contrary to the law
of Moses Duet. viii, 81, and therefore
offensive to God. She became the real
ruler and exercised her power in q
: most cruel and vindictive manner, 81
as to terrify man of God who had
the courage to face the multitudes of
| heather wor5hippers. 1t is a sad day
for the land when a blood thirsty
( woman threatens the life of its holy
men.
LESSON 5.-The story of Naboth':
. vineyard is a further disclosure of the
weakness and wickedness Of royalt,
in Israel. Ahab. grown rich and sur
C rounded with luxury. coveted what III
5 might not legally obtain tie possession
of one of his subjects. After failins
I to buy, because of the owners unwil
lingness to SELL he repaired to his hom,
in fit of melancholy and anger. TIL,
heather wife, true to her principles
comes to him with propositions, look
irg to the destruction of Naboth on tn,
false charge of blasphemy, and tn
| confiscatiOn of his estate. This da
boical scheme marks the depth o
, infamy into which the court had sun
|
minister justice, porvcrts II and in
vades the rights which he had beel
| appointed to protect.
LESSON 1.-THE sinful indulgence
described in the book of Amos. ma
properly follow lesson five, as it's ap
proprate sequel. The greedy Aha
and the wicked Jezebel left the i'm
:, AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
II this attitude. In the meantime, o.
; GERS and members of the church al
D doing all in their power to induce the
y pastor to remain with them.-Binghan
Ie ton Leader.
u The mems meeting of the Youn
u Mems Christian association. will h
10 held at 3.45 o'clock tomorrow afternoo
l. as usual. Frank p. Woodward wi
conduct the meeting. Professor ChanC
$ will direct the music. All men al
&c cordially invited.
- Miss Carrie Bonney will lead the mi
le sionary meeting a the Young Women
i Christian association Sunday at g.
O'Clock. Come and you will have
hearty welcome. Educational raj
Sept. 80. All young women invite
Gymnasium classes will open the fir
week in October. Registration day
Sept. 2S, 20 and 30. Miss Nickel W
i' be glad to meet all former pupils.