The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-10-21
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR OCTOBER rs. I

coItIssSH BssasS and n t9rFSSsnaffsb FESs asbTsx S
word is plural and an exclamation, thus,
Oh, the blessednesses!' Only forgiven
man can know the delights of pardon."
"Transgression." A going out OF the way
passing a given boundary, doing; what ls
prohibited. Forgiven" Lifted on so
that the rardoned sinner IS ease eased ! Of s Dur
the mark. falling short of given point.
Sin is the transgression of the law: lis
covered" Sin makes us loathesome, filthy:
and abominable in the sight Of God, and
utterly unfit for communion with Him. It
must be covered by God. When it is par
doned it is covered by divine mercy from
justice. "Imputeth." Chargeth not to hls
account, "does not require for SINS the
debt of punishment" but pardons them.
Of himself, nor insincerity before God
Sin is the only cause of misery, and Tor
giveness is the beginning Of sinners
8. "When- I kept silence" Before
bumbled myself and confessed my sin. IL
seems that David before Nathan came to
him had often. been exceedingly tortured
in his conscience on account OF the e crimes n
vet reluctance to humble himself before
God, or to be considered criminal by
waxesd wake 10 DID," my spirits failed and the
strength of my body decayed," Roaring.
Moaning or groaning because OF the con-
tinual horrors of conscience and sense OF
Gods wrath. This shows the depth OF hls
%Thv hand" Gods correcting hand
whereby He scourgeth His children, bring
= k,,raol ~ Thopa &c cnIrltuaI g6rOuQnC
when the soul is in anguish instead OF
refreshing seasons from the presence OF the
Lord. David lived in a country where
parchinr heats and saturatipg moisture al
ternate,T and the valleys, sometimes green
and fruitful and fragrant. were at other
times desolate and marched. 1t ls qlnte
possible that sin in. Dayid's case, as IN SO
result. "Selah." This is used in Hebrew
poetry and music to indicate pause; to-
emphasize the truth and express devout
RESPONSE of the heart unto God. lndl-
Gated also that at that point the writer
had been inspired and taught some new
lesson. It sometimes indicates change
in the subject. s
S. II acknowledged {. thou forgav--s
est" 1t was after much anguish and strug-
Cling that David was brought to confession.
but his reward was abundant for mercy
was extended. He had covered his sin un-s
successfully, vet when he uncovered 1t God
covered it efectually. Where before he
had felt hardness Of heart and distress OF
soul he now felt forgiveness of his SINS
and the mercy of the Lord extended.
II. Confidence in God Tvs. 6iU; u,
"For this" Because the Lord had 30
graciously answered his prayer, every one
that was goodly should be encouraged te
pray. "ln time" Compare. Isa $685.;
III Doooueo 1ahocoh haa 1,rnv1d
Himself SO ready to hear even the SINNER
the pious are urged to cry to Him before
some sudden food of temptation has made
them lose His presence; SO shall the great.
waters in which the psalmist sank be pre-
vented from ever reaching them. "Mayests
be found" Literally, "the time of fnd-
ing" it may just as readily refer TO the T
finding of forgiveness as to the findlng OF
Jehovah "Great waters" In this ease
there may be particular alluslon 70 the
interval between the sin and punishment,
during which the confessions and impor-
tunate petitions of the sinner may aHaiis
to arrest the judgments which must M
evitably follow. Violent trials, Affections
and temptations shall not overcome the
soul who prays acceptably and trusts I'M
plicitly; but the sinner who persists m
iniouity shall certainly be swept away by
the floods of divine judgment, and 80 torr
ever nerish.
!, 8. "Hiding place" City 81 refuge,
me-" Keep me from being overcome
Compass me-" Surround me as with q
wall: enclose me within. "Songs of de-i
liverance." The free spirit poured forth
songs of praise and thanksgiving on all
occasions. thus admitting no place tor
evil words or thoughts. constant re-
;membrance of pardon. bestowed was a
protection against further. sin. INSTRUCT
thee" A gracious promise given to a
humble, pardoned soul, securing his de-
velopment in the ways of righteousness:
God Himself being teacher. Il will guide.
Exercise the most watchful, accurate and 1
9. "As the horse" etc. Do not be stub
horn or headstrong like the horse or mule.
A different class is here addressed, that
cannot be trusted upon the ground OF
reason or moral obligation; and must :, m q
Is. bv harsh and forcible means. Our re-
son and wisdom ought to do for US VIII
the bit does for the mule. ELSE they W
not come near" The r. V. gives the 81
rect rendering. Without bit and bS
the animals referred to will not stay WI
reach. II man will not draw near to
and obey Him of his own free will: he
ers himself to the level of brute lisa: 1
and must expect to be treated accordiI
and disciplined by the judgments OF
10 10. II. MANY Sorrows" etc.. Sin
misery 20 together. Those who are ms
ordinate God will curb and chasten
afflicticp, both to humble them and sho'
them His power. "This verse teaches thai
events are good or bad according to thd
goodness or badness of the man they af-~
feet; that the riches Of a rich worldling are
bound to be a curse and to bring many
sorrows. while to the humble. trustful soul
comes a great blessing" Mercy shall
compass" He shall be surrounded with
mercy. as one is surrounded by the air or
bv the sunlight. He shall find mercy and
favor everywhere-at home abroad; by
dav, BY night; in society. in solitude; in
sickness, in health; in life, in death; in
time, in eternity. He shall walk amid
merc:es; he shall die amid mercies; no
shall live in a better world in the midst
Of eternal mercies. 'Be glad rejQce
shout" How wonderful that bef
e:ultation may follow such iniquity and
remorse! There must be sincere sorrow,
full confession, earnest prayer, simple
faith and holiest purpose to cease from sin.
Then there Is full remission and freedom
of spirit, a sense of deliveranee and OF
divine mercy that causes al within the
ransomed nature to rejoice. This is the
essence of Joy unspeakable and full Of
glory. Compare ! Pet. l:8.
River Harnossed by Mighty Plant.
At York Haven, a small town on the
Susouehaana River, about sixteen mi.es