The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1915-11-17
SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES
Side Lights on Next Sundays
Lesson for Teachers and Pupils
Edited by Charles K. Meyers.
CRAWFORD COUNTY SUN D A
SCHOOL, ASSOCIATION


son; Seth Calderwood West side
superintendent
Elementary Grades .....,.. ......
... Miss Susie Craft, Denison
Secondary Grade Observation-Disclosures.
Miss Florence Johnson, Kiron
Adult Department acknowledgements.
... Mrs. i. L. Hoffman, Denison
Teacher Training .-.................
Rev. a. e. Adams. Dow City
Temperance Observation-Disclosures.
.. Miss Minetta Jorgensen. Vail
Missions. Mrs. Anna Williams, Denison
Home Department ..................
Mrs r. w. Pierce, Denison
November 21-Jonah a Missionary
to NineyeIl. The Book of Jonah.
We have for our lesson this week
one OF the most remarkable books of
the Old Testament. 1t has but four
chapters, but each is freighted with
truths Of sweeping importance. Time
and space will not allow the full treat
ment here which the lesson calls for.
1t is first necessary that the facts
be brought briefly to view. 1t was in
the time some nine hundred years be-
fore Christ was born, that the great
Assyrian empire was in it's prime. Its
chief city, Nineveh, was noted far and
near for its size, magnificence and cor
ruption. In, fact: it's Wickedness be-
came so great the Godsin heaven took
special note and adopted means to
call the inhabitants to repentance for
their wrong doing. At this time the
Jews living in Palestine were in fear
OF their powerful neighbors. had no
love for them on account of ancient
grievances, and likewise they held it
a religious duty to have nothing to do
with any one who was not OF the stock
Of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 1t was
ground into their very being by the
rulers that all peope except Jews we're
the offscouring OF the earth. 1t was
to Jew in whom was all the intens-
ity Of the hatred of his race toward all
but his people. named Jonah, that the
command came from God to make a
missionary journey to the city OF
Nineveh and warn its inhabitants to
repent of their sins or destruction
would soon come upon them.
Jonah rebelled He simply refused
to do his known duty. Later he ac-
knowledged that one reason why he
dif-not want to go came from his
knowledge that God was a Gracious
God and merciful, slow to anger and
Of great kindness" and that he felt
if the people needed the warning and
repented they would be forgiven. Just
note that magnificent tribute to the
nature Of God that He is gracious,
inerciful, of great Kindness and ready
St,l- 1
whether that has been your experience
with Him. Jonah tried the plan OF
running away from God and his known
duty. We will just see how he came>
out. He went to the sea shore. paid
his fare out OF the country Oh an out
going ship and then. exhausted with
his endeavors, laid himself down to
sleep. The boat put out to sea. when
a. fearful storm came down and the
crew was overcome with terror. They
threw overheard the merchandise OF
threw overheard the merchandise the
boat was carrying to tighten it, called
on their gods for aid. but the situation
hut grew worse. In the midst OF it all
they found Jonah fast asleep and
aroused him to sense of his and their
danger.
Jonah was urged to Call on thy
God" What situation he was i'll.
There he was, rebellious man trying
TO run away from his known duty and
thus in no position to call on his God
for help. Jonah knew what was the
matter, that he was the one God was
reaching for with that storm. and in
time he told the crew that the waves
would subside if he was but thrown
into the sea. He made declaration
that he believed in the Lord the God
Of heaven, which made the sea and
The dry land. AS things were getting
worse the crew, with much reluctance.
pitched Jonah overheard, and when
the sea ceased it's raging they were
struck with awe and worstiped after
their manner the God of Jonah.
The bible record tells US that Jonah
was taken in charge by a great fish
pnd he found himself in its belly.
diving. tossing in the
deep sea Jonah prayed with fervor
that has made his words a model for
prayer His prayer takes up the ten
verses OF the second chapter OF the
book Re sure to read it Jonah was
but half through with the experiences
which We're In store GOd was saNlhs
lin, for a great work and his life as
IN example to all generations Jonah
vas delivered from the fish to the dry
and Again he was told to go preach
warming to Nineveh He has now had
experience and obeyed
Jonah went to Nineveli and walk.
ng its streets sounded forth the
warming that in forty days the city
would be DESTROYED. of course. further
elling the people the cause. From
he king down the words of Jonah
we're taken seriously and the people
.nmasse repented of their sins Ill
;ackcloth and ashes. Then Jonah's
insight into the nature of God proved
rue, for word was sent him that the
ity was to be spared on account. Of
of the people. Jonah
ra3 disgusted, angry, asked to die at
nee. He just did not want those
eathens whom he hated spared, but
atber that they die. He was made
o see that while he cared for the life
I mere plant and monrned it's death
e shed no tears over the destruction
+ the manv peoDle OF the city, and
hat ends the book
] might write at great length over
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