The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-10-23
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COM
MENTS FOR OCT. Is BY THE
REV. 7. w. HENDERSON.

! Soo1SSo. Ae
Promise, Josh. 3:5-17-Golden
Text, Ps. 1O7:7-Memory Verse,
17-Commentary.
In accordance with the promise OF
God, Israel enters the land OF prom
Use. Under the direct and marvellous
manifestation Of Gods providence
they cross the Jordan and stand
within sight of the walls of Jericho.
Joshua's words, as given in the
fifth verse Of our lesson, compel our
attention. "Sanctify yourselves, for
tomorrow the Lord will do wonders
among you" 1t is a call to conse-
Grafton because God is to work won
ders among them and because God
will not manifest Himself, and can
not, except they are prepared.
The dedication of themselves was
followed as we see by a transcendant
manifestation of the providence and
cation was fitting.
Israel was upon the threshold OF
a new experience. She was about to
enter into a new life. The hopes of
generations, the promises Of centu-
ries were about to be contaminated.
1t was a solemn time. The day was
momentous. History was in the max
ing. Joshua was aware of it.. The
wandering multitude must have been
impressed by it. A new epoch was
about to begin. A nation was COM
ing to it's own. To-day, the wilder
ness, it's memories, it's hardships, its
discouragements, the vision OF a
promised inheritance! Tomorrow,
Jordan passed, hopes realized, prom
Uses fulfilled, memories translated in
to hopes. It was a mighty moment.
It was proper that they should be
peculiarly prepared. 1t was right
that they should be impressed by the
| greatness of the occasion. The event
was too tremendous not to be SOL
emnized and signalized by a special
ceremony. The God who had led
them so far, SO patiently, so decisive
ly, was entitled to the dedication and
the thanks of all Israel. They, had
to consecrate themselves because
God was about to exalt them, because
the manifestation of Jehovah's power
was impossible without their submis-
sion entirely to His will.
So it has ever been. So will it
ever be-. No man and no nation has
enjoyed the revelation of the pleni-
tude of the power of God except the
individual or national will has been
su%bordinated to the dictates of Di-
vinity. And no person or people will
| ever experience a satisfactory knowl-
edge of the inspiring providence of
God except the personal or popular
volition be subjected to the mandates
| of the mind Of God. Whenever and
wherever persons or peoples sanctify
themselves before God, acknowledge
ing their Indebtedness to Him, recog-
pledging their faith in undivided 10y
atty to Him, then and there God has
ever manifested Himself and done
| wonders. And what time men or na-
lions in future determine to thank
God and to hail Him and to serve
Him then will Jehovah manifest Him
self nightly. Israel has proved it.
America has proved it. 1t is to be
hoped that America will demonstrate
the truth again.
For along the highway of human
progress America has Travelled under
the espionage of God to national
greatness. We have triumphed owe
difficulties and been victorious over
oppositions and gone through dis.
:resses and Affections and despair.
We are now upon the border Of a
larger progress and Of an increased
national prestige. No man of vision
IAN fail TO discern in the signs of the
times limitless opportunities for the
development of our national re-
sources in money and men, in infiu-
.nce and character. The achieve
ments of America of to-day. are but
slight Authorizations of the glories
that may be hers IN coming years If
she will, as she stands ON the TIRES
hold of nobler things, sanctify her
self in spirit and in truth.
We cannot be fit for larger useful
ness except we are right with God
and dedicated to Him. Jehovah can
not utilize us more until we subject
ourselves to Him.
In order that we shall be ready for
service and prepared for the further
ance of the projects of the Almighty
as they concern America we must
pay heed to the command of JOSHUA
to Israel as given in the ninth verse
Of the lesson we are studying:
Come hither and hear the words of
the Lord your God" For we cannot
build without plans and specifications
a building that shall be durable and
beautiful. We cannot do Gods work
until we hear Gods message. To
{, serve efficiently We must hear the
captains orders. If WI would labor
| for God we must listen to God.
Much of the leadership Of America
listens little TO God. In the measure
that we have a leadership that is
| deaf to divine directions, we are mis-
led, we are Handicapped. For pro-
gress is only possible when we are in
harmony with the will Of God. We
cannot know Gods mind except we
listen to Gods voice.
The task that God has delivered to
/ America. the future that He has pre-
pared for her, is too great to be ac-
complished without His inspiration,
His direction, His sustentation.
Americas future is cut after a divine
pattern. Only Divinity al effect its
| realization. Only that humanity that
is surcharged with divinity will ever
enjoy the vision of it. Let US there
| fore listen to the word of the Lord
| our God and with sanctified souls go
on and up until this land shall be in
! deed Gods country and the future OF
| our fatherland shall be secured.