The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-12-30
INTERNATIONAL SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON
Copyright Dsvis V. clarf.)

of the deliverers stand like white cam eos. in clear-cut outline and high re- | lief. (Esther iv, 10; s 3.)
 Ezra was a savior of Judaism. It was a crisis in the national life. Sew cnty years had passed since the re- turn from the captivity Zerubabel. the prince of Judah. had left the little colony in Jerusalem, and gone back to Babylon, his birthplace, GO end his days. The defense of Jerusalem were still unfinished. There was a sort Of creep !, ing paralysis of indifference in church and State There was no enthusiasm, no sturdy faith. There was widening gap between nobles and rustics. Paga- nism was making subtle inroads. The days of the Hebrew State and religion were numbered. Then appeared the second Moses" The nobility of Esra's personal character and his worth to his nation can hardly b. overestimated. He put an imprint upon his Church
 which 1t bears to this day. And as Christianity is evolved from Judaism. Christianity itself may be said to bear some extent the marks of the good scribe" (Ezra viii 21-23.)
 Study of this incident reveals Nehe- miah as one of tine most illustrious ex- l amples of distinerested patriotism which history, sacred or profane. af- lords. He had a life tenure upon an office of high rank and many emolu- | ments. He stood next to the monarch | of.the world. A palace was at his dis- posal. with all its luxurious appoint l ments. But for the sake of hls coun- | trymen he relinquished all. What en- | hances the deed Is that 1t was not done | in a burst of enthusiasm. but after 8 l considerable period. in which every
 element and phase of the situation was passed in review (Neb.i, 1-1l.) | ,,.1 AA> ~fnkl klt lrA ! tho wings of love unfurled. The hete- rogenous composition of the Christian | societies makes this necessary. Paul l Is liberal. He says: We know an idol
 Is a nonenity. Meat cannot be affect I ed without scruples. But be careful. l Don't let the wing of knowledge drive | you blindly round the small circle of
 selfish personal interest. Spread your | other wings-the white pinion of love. I Tn your Church of Corinth there are
 many novices in Christianity. Theoret- | icaily they know that an idol Is noth- 1 ing. but practically they have not been | able as yet to rid themselves of super
 stitious notions imbibed with their
 mothers milk. Do not urge such a one
 to violate his conscientious scruples ! while they remain. If. under your ad-
 vice. he does what hts conscience for l bids. he sins" The conditions-then
 and now and always-demand a gener-
 ous self-denial for the sake of others. q Cor. x, 23-3S)
 The rebuilding of the wall was a | great enterprise. The circumstances
 were unfavorable. Laborers were few
 and inexperienced. Enemies were many
 and crafty. Instead of a clean site
 there was a heap of rubbish. But the
 genius and zeal of Nehemiah were more than a match for such adverse condi- l tions. His organising and administra- tive ability were superb. Everybody
 was enlisted. working as families and guilds There was a good-natured ri- vairy. The work was done in incrcd-
 ibly short time. The temple, after sev-
 enty years of exposure was now safe from sacreligous and plundering | hands. (Neh. iv. 7-20.)
 Ezra's public reading of the law makes ono of tho most effective and l picturesque scenes in the Bible. Fifty | thousand listened in the great plaza in
 Jerusalem. Ezra stood upon a raised
 platform. At the sight of the book of
 the law the people rose in token of | their reverence. No doubt Ezra prais- | ed God. that out of the wreck of the past this treasure had been preserved l All ears were attentive. Good listen ing was matched by good reading. (Nch. viii. S-1S.)
 The last book of the Old Testament l is perfect Mt. Sinai. quaklng. flash . | ing. laundering with the righteous in .
 dignation of Jehovah against the people | whom He had lifted to heaven in privi- lege. but who proved unworthy of their 1 exaltation Who can abide the day of His coming: He shall be as fierce as | refiner's fire. He shall be as caustic as lye. Yet here, as everywhere in the | Bible, the beatitude Is placed ovef against the woe. IT Gods people even
 at this late date, will bring in all the tithes. the sluices of blessing will be
 opened wide. (Mal iii 1-12)