The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-09
The International
Sunday-School Lesson
Copyright, Davis w. Clarke
First Quarter, Lesson X, Genesis XVI,
l:-.5. March 10, 1907.

Copyright, Davis w. Clarke
First Quarter, Lesson X, Genesis XVI,
l:-.5. Marci, 10, 1907
isnnc II Lover OF Peace.
This eldest and sweetest of pastorals
Keeps Keeps on with q never-augmenting In
morn at Bcersheba. his very name
lLaughter) signifying the JOY with
when his advent Is greeted. The
mothers skeptical laughter is turned
into triumph exultation and 10y in
God. tGen. xxi. 47.)
Ihe name, according to the story, is
chosen by the Lord Himself, and Is de-
signed to commemorate the unusual
gianness It brought The Significance
Is referred to three times. (Cicn xvii.
~ ~ Ky xvii, II: MI. 81 II - prophetic
IT, and more important yet, 1t suggests
the relation IN which he stands as the
seed OF Abraham the channel OF the
promised blessing and the type Of
whose birth has put laughter into the
hearts of myriads of our race.
win no set purpose, but naturally, this
unknown, annaiist gives us glimpse 81
weaving OF the Child. a feast is made to
T rhet even a. trivial an event as this
from mbss he over e hf is N"
Il sucking. but capable of self-sustenance
and measure OF independent action.
Then comes the rivalry Of ishmael. the
lusty. hall brother of the new heir 10
Abraham's prestige and wealth. and the
consequent pitiful expulsion Of Hagar the
stincd to become the sire of a rich and
powerful race.
full" Sarah dies In Hebron, and the
stricken patriarch mourns and weeps for
her sincerely over her body. weighted
with Its aromatic unguents and wrapped
uchrs and weighs out to Ephron the
Hittlte. four hundred shekels Of silver
There is true and attractive tinge
of Orientalism in the. selection OF q
wife for the heir OF the promise. OF
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 PARKWAY
fatherland, Padan -aram. The narrative
is fairly Photographic as It infinitely
] 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
present, Rebekah's consent. and the
glad homeward journey.
1t Is the hand of ir master that puts
the last strokes upon the inimitable
denouement could be more natural or
true. The contemplative patriarch Is a
| field. meditating in the twilight, when
the caravan bringing his bride arrives.
The bride-elect alights, and at the same
time, true to custom, shrouds herself
| In her veil. The trusty servant gives
account Of his jonrne,y, and Its success i,sa,
| year-old idyl. Isaac brought her into
his mothers tent, and took her. and he
loved her, and was comforted after his
The very placidity Of Isaac's char
acter insures the brevity of the nara
tive HAPPY, are the people nf WHOSE an
CUES peace and plenty. In such periods
domesticity, which is the underpinning
Indispensable to the stability OF the
political superstructure.
nate character meets with Indifferent
The He Of Of lsaae If mot
spiritual life is, on q higher plane than
that Of his father. His meekness and
gentleness indicate decisive progress
like that Of his, pure monogamy,, HIS
poise is admirable. The King or the
Philistine proposes q league with him
as with an equal His quietness, tran
have glorious issue, lie viii be for
mortal progenitors of the Hebrew race,
ANALYSIS AND KEY.
i i. Tho eldest pastoral of literature.
/ Continued.
.. Birth Of Isaac.
Name and significance,
Weaning. Rivalry of Ishmael.
a. Death and burial of Sarah
g. Selection of Isaacs Wife.
Head stewards GRAND to father
land.
Preparations; journey; meetings;
reception errand disclosed; pres
ents consent; return
G, Isaac and Rebekah meet.
Z, Placidlty of Isaac; short story.
Annals dull: happy people.
Isaac not effemlnate
Advance on Abrahanl.
Monogamy; tranquility; gentle
ness; confidence.
THE TElACHElps LANTERN.
The large space given to biography
in the Bible Is easily justified. MNample
speaks louder than precept. Ihe men
and women of the Scripture are Gods
and spiritual ts principles at work,
The Bible is terribly faithful In deal
ing with its characters. There IS no
veneering, Tho lapses Of good men and
the sins of the wicked are shown TOT
our detestatlon ena avoidance
= Isaac has been aptly called "the
wo sa nth Of the Old Testament" He
was contemplatiye and q lover or ma ma
ture. The pendulum has swung 70 Lhe
opposite extreme from the recluse lire
OF the Middle Ages George Herberts
quaint lines need to he needed
"CEoose some time to be alone,
Salute myself; sec what thy soul doth
wear"
Where Isaac had a tent, there God
worshipGul. Amid those pagans, he
bore his Witness to the unity and spit
ituality OF God. making. no craven