The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-09-28
TOPICS IN THE CHURCHES.
sunday SchOO1 Lesson
Christian EndeavOr Work.

Lesson VII-Abraham's intercession: From
various angles Abraham has been viewed in the
preceding narrative; as a pilgrim; as prince OF a
growing tribe; in war; in worship; receiving
promises; entering into a covenant; but here ne
appears in an entirely new capaeiCy-in the
lovely and holy office Of intercessor. Picture the
disinterested quality of his Intervention on the
part Of the ~Sodomites; compassion for sinners
was his chief motive. Here is the first great
outstanding instance of microscopy prayer IN
Scripture. Abraham is here a type of Him who
ever lives TO intercede."
Lesson VIII-Trial Of Abraham's faith: The
superIative strength of Abraham's faith would
never have been fully revealed 70 himself to
angels. or to men, had it been subjected to any
less crucial test than this. For Abraham. ev-
erything centered in Isaac. In language OF Wes-
Ieyan hymn, he was his dearest idol" He had
waited some thirty years for his birth, and had
enjoyed his sweet companionship for twenty
five years. To calmly, quickly, obediently. be-
lovingly lay him on Gods altar as a whole
burnt Offering argued the sublimest faith of all
the ages. A revelation to Abraham himself
this certainly was. He was not aware until
then Of the tenacity Of his own trust. His abil-
ity to bear the brunt Of such an unexpected and
awful deprivation disclosed it to him. Though
the son of promise should be taken, his faith
famed up in triumph. He believed God would
restore him or fulfill the promise by other
means.
Lesson IX-Isaac the peacemsker: The very
placidity of Isaac's character insures the brew
ity Of the narrative. Happy are the people whose
annals are dull! Absence of events argues peace
and plenty. In such periods there is the whole
some growth Of domesticity. which is the under
pinning Indispensable 10 the stability Of the po-
litical superstructure. Effort to picture Isaac as
an effemiDate 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 plane than that Of his father. His meek
ness and gentleness indicate a decisive progress
like that of his pure monogamy." His poise is
admirable. The King of the Philistine proposes a
league with him as with an equal. His quiet
ness, tranquility and confidence in the Lord
have a glorious issue" He will be forever recog-
nized as one of the three immortal progenitors
Of the Hebrew race.
Lesson X-Jacob at Bethel: The story of jacob
puts no premium on craft in the management OF
ones affairs. The Lord used Jacob for holy
purposes"-yes; but in spite OF his despicabIe
conduct, not because of it. The seal Of Divine
disapproval is clearly affixed. Those who think
Chlcane-a little of it, at least-indispensable to
success, find no comfort or justification in this
instance. Jacob was terribly punished. He was
separated forever from his doting mother: was
eSiIed forty years; got paid back in his own
coin, with compounded interest. AS he prac-
ticed a fraud to get a blessing, so Laban prac-
ticed one on him to withhold the woman he
loved. The way Ct the transgressOr is hard.
Lesson XI-Jacob a prince with God: The les
son Of this thrilling scene is the same that Jesus
sought to impress by the parallels of the vivid
ow and the Unjust Judge" and the Borrowing
Neighbor." As the widow kept urging her suit,
and the ~neighbor kept knocking, so Jacob kept
crying: Il will not let thee go except thou bless
me- There must be a moral earnestness, which
discovers itself to itself and to others, before
God will bless. AS one has said, the arrow which
is to pierce the sky must part from the bent
bow and strained arm.
Lesson XII-The temperance lesson: Now
Israel's poet-king and prodigy OF wisdom sets
himself TO the task of painting the drunkard's
portrait. 1t is a faithful likeness. and horrid be-
cause faithful. The royal artist persists in his
undertaking., though his canvas grows Iurid and
frightful under ZACH successive stroke Of the
pencil. His picture has proved a veritable dan.
ger signal flashing !ts warning color upon sue
cessive generations for three thousand years.