The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-07
PLEASANT FIELDS
OF HOLY WRIT
Amons sg TIE 81 p,s ~ 2e fso & Holy wit
Nigh
The REV DAVIS W. CLARK D. D. Editor, Cincinnati
REV. DAVIS ". CLARK, D. D.. Editot. Cincinnati
The International
Sunday-School Lesson
Fourth Quarter. Lesson X. Ruth !, 14.::
December 3, 1907.
RuTH'S WISE CHOICE.

RuTM:s WISE CHOICE.
Elirnelechs exodus TO Moab was III ad-
v:red. 1t came OF feeble faith and I'm.
a good soldier. The consequences were dis.
Iastrous-three graves. three widows!
widowhood is pi.iiul condition At best.
but and and sna
environment OF heathenism and the con-
| seriousness that all s the consequences OF
! s.n-tais Is the climax OF Naomrs woe.
Hut God and angels know that the soli-
tnry exile widow is rich. Flor securities
They do not iuetuats. They are not wat
MS nS wealth H Is in herselt her character is
hel capital. 1t presently yields tte rich re-
turn.
the mother.in-law. in scenes ever shifting
to the worse. bereaved. Impoverished, es.
tranged. Naomi exhibited such traits OF
resignation, Renteness. and purity as to win
the undying. disinterested. enrichins love
o. Ruth.
on the border OF Israel. Naomi put her
threw the love OF Ruth into the cruc!bie.
Tho gold was found without trace OF alloy.
ratiated and excommunicated. To live q
| life OF toll and poverty. TO be subject to
the scorn Of bigoted 1sraeltes; to surrender
most indispensable safeguard. the naenuchah.
the safe place OF hueband-lottter love
than that has never been PORTRAYED by poet
was to have acquired an incalculahle for-
tune. .
rected her steps to the haryest-feld 1t
Heightened the mental tasks OF the cleaner
!! I. nerved her to endure the rude familiarity
os the harvest hands. 1t prompted her 10
I. was Ruth's love Of Naomi that prompt:
ed her to do that last thing which taxed
Of Of Boazs feet in order that she might re-
irEtate Naomi in the respect of her ktns-
men and countrymen. and secure her q.
4 rassion in that act. She was availing her.
self OF the only legally. instituted means OF
Well may that towering column against
the facade OF solomons golden temple
symbol OF strength beauty nnd uprtghtn s,sc
Roaz. His manly self-restralnt, his dell! !.
cato conslderateness, his strict adherence to
legal form. mark him the s valiant hero
Family and In figure. this sweet and
olden story portrays the Redeemer and re-
The PITFALLS h q rehes 81
the Savior. His gentleness, compas slon an am!
4 might; the necessity OF casting ones self
n nee are I pictured in fascinatins form
I II is this evangellstic Characteristic which
lifts 1t out OF the sphere OF an amorous
\. Action and gives this gem OF an tdyl an un i
'in,peaohable claim TO Its position In tho
/ sa cred canon.
ANALYSIS AND KEY.
1. Book OF Ruth: Gem OF an Idyl.
An nn ill- s,IsS; journey
Sequel: Three graves; three widows.
5. Naomls secret wealth.
Capital OF character #
la Wins the love OF Ruth.
/ 4. Test on the boundary line endured,
5. Further test OF harvest neld and tent
q. Bethiehemite prince princely,
n Story as whole.
4 Figure OF Rcdeemer and Redemption.
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
It was "out Of the trylns pan into the
j The one redeeming feature was that the
Hebrew family kept their faith. In return,
Providence chastened. guided and delivered.
1 Naomi was revelation OF God to Ruth
i SHE recognized the supernatural source 81
her traits. as well as their superlative love.
4 Chemosh for Jehovah. since Naomi had
made him so attracttye'
olpha stands for the half-hearted Chris.
tion,. the undertaken Of the Impossible,
4 serving God and mammon. IT usually ~ Is
in going back to Moab.
Ruth was steadfastly minded. she is 7
lovely example OF perseverance, she lost
Mean Mo- s She gained gain i BY her abortion In
/ lrrael. 10 become m ancestress OF the
Messiah was her excssdins great reward.
i A young Engllshman is said to have
sought his fortune In California, leaving his
4 hnpcee behind him. BY and by he sent he,
i q nugget OF gold. Afterwards, meetlng with
/ roverses and losing health, he wrote to her
/ generating her from any claim he had
4 uron her. In response, he received rims
4 made Of the gold he had sent. and inscribed
4 thee
Doaz is m IDEAL OF manly virtue. III
4 wnu a white life, He WAS far beyond hi
da,S In self.restraint and virtue. He Was
4 ntlle type at Him In Whom was no fault
Salvation ID not Of the law, Ruth's lexA