The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-31
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
Third Quarter; Isaac the Peacemaker
Genesis xvi, 1925.

This eldest and sweetest of pastorals keeps on
with an eyer-augmenting interest. Isaac, the
son of promise. is born at Beersheba, his very
name Uaughter) signifying the JOY with which
his advent is greeted. The mothers skeptical
laughter is turned into triumphant exultation
and joy in God. Gen. xxi. 4-7.) . The
name. according to the story, is chosen by the
Lord himself, and is designed to commemorate
the unusual circumstances of his birth. and of
the ~gladness it brought. The significance is
referred to three times. Gen. xvii, II; xviii, y;
xxi, o. 1t is prophetic OF the character OF the
little bearer of it. and more important yet, it
suggests the relation in which he stands as
the seed of Abraham. the channel OF the prom
ised blessing and the type of Him who Is
pre-e.ninently the seed. whose birth has put
laughter into the hearts of myriads of our race.
. With no set purpose. but naturally, this
unknown snnalist gives us a glimpse OF the
patriarchal life as he describes the weaving
of the child. y feast is made TO celebrate
even as trivial an event as this. They make
merry over the emergence from b~abyhood. The
child is no longer "A sucking. but capable
Of self sustenance and a measure of independ-
et action . . . Then comes the rivalry
Of Ishmael, the lusty half-brother OF the new
heir TO Abraham's prestige and wealth. and
the consequent pitiful expulsion OF Hagar. the
bond-woman. and her son. the latter destined
to become the sire OF a rich and powerful
race. . . . The years of Abraham's ''prin-
| cess are full Sarah dies in Hebron. and
the stricken patriarch mourns and weeeps for
her sincerely. over her body. weighted with
it's aromatic unguents and wrapped in cere-
cloth. he bargains for a sepulcher, and weighs
out to Ephron. the Hittite. four hundred sheck-
els Of silver as the price. . There Is a
true and attractive tinge Of orientalism in the
selection OF "A wife FOR the heir CT the promise.
ON on this delicate and important errand goes
Abraham's trusted head steward. bound by an
oath, TO choose the bride in the best family
OF the far-aNay fatherland. Padan-aram. The
narrative Is fairly photographic as IL minutely
describes the preparations. the Journey, the
meeting Of Rebecca at the well. the servants
reception in the home OF Bethuel. the telling
OF his GRAND, the presents, Rebecca's consent,
and the glad homeward journey. . IL Is
the hand OF a master that puts the last strokes
upon the inimitable picture OF an Oriental court
ship. No dcnoucmcnt could be moro natural
on true. The contcmplative patriarch Is a-fiel0.
meditating in the twilight. when the caravan
bringing his bride arrives. The brido-clect
alights. and at the same time. true to custom.
sim ouds herself In her veil. The trusty servant
gives account of his journey. and It's successful
Issue. So ends this four-thousand-yesr-old idyI.
Isaac brought her into his mothers tent. and
took her, and he loved her. and was comforted
after his mothers death. The very
p~lacidity OF Isaac's character insures the brcy-
ity Of the narrative. Happy are the people
whose annals arc duli Absence OF events ar
cues peace and plenty. In such periods there
h. the wholesome growth OF dom.sticlty. which
Is the underpinnins Indispensable to the stabii-
rs OF the political structure. Effort
to picture Isaac as an oremlnate character meets
with Indifferent SUCCESS. The life OF Isaac Is
not 1.-THE echo of the life OF Abraham" His
spiritual life Is on a higher plano than that
of his father. Ills meceknoss aud gentleness
Indicate a decisive progress like that Of his
pure monogamy." Ills poiso Is admirable. The
King OF the Philistino proposes a league with
HIM as with an equal. His quictncss. tran
quillity. and confidence In the Lord have a
glorious issue" lie win be forever recognized
as one OF the three immortal progenltors OF the
Hebrew race.
THE ~TEACHER's LANTERN.
The large space given TO biography In the
Bible Is easily Justified. Example speaks louder
than precept. The men and women OF the
Scripture ere Gods working models. They show
us ethical and spiritual principles al work.
The Bible Is terribly faithful In deaf
INK with its characters. There Is mo- veneer
ing. The lapses OF good men and the ss.s
of the wicked are shown Tor our detostatlon ana
avoidance. . . {. Isaac has been aptly called
the Wordsworth % the old Testament" lie
Vas contcmplati,e and a lover 81 nature. The
pendulum has swung TO the opposite extreme
from the recluse life 81 the Middle Ages. deorge
Herberts quaint lines need 10 be Needed
Choose some time TO be alone.
salute myself. see what thy soul doth wear
. Where Isaac had "a tent. there God
had an altar. lie WAS reverent and worship
ml. Amid those pasans he bore his Witness 10
the unity and spirituality OF God. making no
craven image. To the Invisible he made his
. morning and evening prayer and sacrines. So