The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-09-20
THE SABBATH SCHOOL,
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR SEPTEMBER "a.

Review of tho Third Quarter, Hosea XIV,
1.9; Eek. xxIvi., 25-31-Golden Text:
Psalm xxxiv., documentary on tho
Quarters Lessons.
HISTORICAL REvIEw.-"Extent OF Time"
Leaving out Lesson l., which Is q prophecy
Of an earlier period concerning the king.
dom OF Israel, though it Is applicable in
principle to the period we have been study
Ing, the period extends over about ninety
years. from the beginning OF the exile, B.
G. COS. to the completion OF the temple, B.
C. SIG, and dedication In March. 515.
Babylon, Jerusalem. "Prol hets." Hosea,
Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Haggat, Zscha-
rlah, Isaiah 40.66, belong In effect to the
exile, whatever view we may take OF the
date OF their authorship. "Connection
with secular history" Their contact with
other nations made 3 marked impression
upon the Jews. The Oriental monarchs,
Nebuchadnezzar, Cyrus, and Darius Hys-
tapes, are we'll known In secular history.
In Italy the Tarquins were retgning at
Rome (6l6.510). The rape Of Lucretta BY
sextus, son OF Tarquin the Proud, B. G..
$40, five years after the completion OF the
temple at Jerusalem, led to the expulsion
OF the kings and the formation OF the re-
public at Rome. In Greece, the seven
sages fourished about B. c. $50, during the
siege and destruction Of Jerusalem.
Lesson I. "Gracious Invitations" Here
we find Gods call to repentance. The ten
tribes were In captivity because OF sin.
Under Jeroboam, they became idolatrous
and God punished them, as He did after
ward the tribe OF Judah. by allowing them
to be carried into captivity. Before the
division OF the twelve tribes there was dis
To- al ah
of Solomon, was king, and he, preferrlng
to take counsel OF the young men, made a
very heartless ruler. The result was that
ten tribes called Jeroboam to be their King,
waile only two remained with Rehoboam.
Hosea was prophet in the last days OF Jero-
boam from B. O. 7s4 to 722.
Lesson II. "Daniel in Babylon" Hero
we enter upon the time when the two tribes
called Judah were taken captive into Baby
lon by Nebuchadnezzar, B. @. Cos. This
was more than century after the ten tribes
were taken into captivity. Here we find
Daniel and his three companions refusing
to eat food offered to idols or drink wine
poured out before them.
Lesson III. "The Hebrews in the Fiery
Furnace" B. @. 5S7. This lesson brings
US to about the middle OF the reign OF Ne.
buchadnezzar, when he had conquered
nearly all OF the Kingdoms Of the known
world, and had set up great golden image,
unto which he called oil In his realm to
bow down in worship. To this idol he
gave praise for all his successes. he hoped
thus to bring all the nations that were un-
dor his control to one religion, and thus to
secure permanent power to his kingdom.
The faithful companions OF Daniel were
victims to the kings wrath and suffered
themselves to be cast into the fiery furnace
rather than worship the idol. But God de-
livered them.
Lesson ". "The Handwriting on the
WALL" B. C. 53S. Belshazzar was young
man, ruling In Babylon In place OF his
father, who was In refuge at Borsippa. At
this time the city was besieged by Cyrus,
bat the reckless young ruler endeavored to
show his unconcern by entering into feast
with his lords. Engaged In drunken rev.
elry he saw strange hand appear and
write upon the wall. Daniel declared Its
meaning, that his kingdom should be taken
and his DAYS ended. That same night he
was slain, and Babylon fell into the hands
OF Cyrus. =,
LessonV. "Daniel in the Den Of Lions" "
B. G. $50. When Babylon fell into the
hands OF the Medo- -Persians Daniel was ex.
alted to high Office. Jealousy led the
officers to lay plan by which Daniel
might be put to death. They persuaded
King Darius to make decree forbiddtng
any prayer or request but through him.
Daniel continued to pray, aud was SEN
fenced to the lions den; but God sent His
angel and his life was preserved.
Lesson VI. "The New Heart" B. G.
5s5.572. We look back to the time soon af-
ter the destru ,tion OF Jerusalem (B. G.
5S6), and find Ezekiel, captive In Baby
lonia, living on the river Chebar, prophecy
ing words OF encouragement to his people
In exile. Heis called the prophet OF the
new heart; because he taught true repen-
tance to the captive Jews.
Lesson VII. "Ezeklels Great Vieion."
B. G. 574. Here we have the valley CT dry
bones, which represented the scattered
Jews, who were dead politically and spir-
itually. But their restoration was de-
scribed In the coming together OF the bones
and the entrance OF life.
Lesson VIII. "The River Of Salvation" "
B. C. 574. After Ezekiels faithful warn
ings to his people and the promises OF their
return, God gave him views OF the future.
when the kingdom OF Christ should spread
through the earth.
Lesson TX. Returning From Captivity" "
B. G. 536. Here we have the grant OF Cyrus,
king OF Persia, to the Jews who desired to
return to their own land and there rebuild
the temple for Gods worship. He called
upon the people to assist with golu ana
silver and horses and cattle for the jour-
ney. =,
Lesson x. Rebuilding the Temple
B. C. 535. Here Is described the scene OF
the returned captives at the laying OF tho
foundation OF the temple. The priests
and Levtes give q chorus OF music and
praise and the people shout.
Lesson XI. "Encouraging the Builders. ="
B. C. 500. Fifteen years after the laying OF
the foundation, when the work had ceased,
Haggai came with q message from God to
encourage the people to resume the work,
which they did with Zerubbabel still as
leader, Joshua as priest. -,
Lesson XII. "Power Th-ouei the Spirit 4"
B. C. Zecharah as prophet, tells his vision
OF the candlestick and makes its applica-
tion to the company Of builders at Jeru'
salem.