The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1915-03-26

SeASN@NS
studying during the last quarter ia
1892 years, from the death of Joshua
B. c. 1434 to the reign of Saul, which
began B. C. 1902. Though other
chronologists may differ slightly, this
is approximately correct.
We may roughly divide this period
into the republic of God and the king
dom OF man. In the first section we
studied the period of the Judges,
Barak, Gideon, Samson and Samuel;
one prophecies, Deborah; also the
priest Eli and his sons; Samuel and
Ahiah; and Ruth, who was an ances-
tress of our great high priest. In
the second section we considered Saul
the king, and a prince, Jonathan,
Sauls son. While the lessons may
thus be roughly divided, yet we feel
that a general review of the charac-
tiers and the principal lesson to be
learned from each will perhaps be the
most profitable form of review.
There are four things to be said
about each character and his relation
to the events occurring in Israel: ~
The people had departed from God;
there was disobedience and a reli-
gious decline. (2) God permitted on
the part of Israers enemies oppression
that finally became unbearable. (3)
There was repentance on the part OF
the people and an appeal to God for
help. (4) God raised up a judge who
saved" the people and through this
Judge wonderful acts were performed
showing his power and the favor
which rested upon Israel The adult
classes can profitably discuss such
questions as, why did the people so
easily forsake God?" why and how
did their repentance SO quickly lead
to their deliverance?" How did God
help the people to return unto him?"
What were the methods and the prin-
ciples used in Gods punishment Of the
peoples sins?" WAS this form OF
government in vogue failureF'
Coming to the second section, many
questions suggest themselves; What
advantages and opportunities did Saul,
the first king, have?" How did his
failure begin?' What was the es'
sential difference between the king
dom Of Saul and the Republic OF God
under the Judges?" What are the
outstanding characteristics Of iona
than's life and character" What
great message for today do these
characters and these two forms oil
government have?" Doctor TorTey
suggests a profitable form Of review
viz, a doctrinal review: ~ The
teachings of the lessons of the past
quarter about Jehovah and the Holy
Spirit; (2) The preview, types and
manifestations of the Lord Jesus
(3) The teaching about sin and the
particular sins mentioned; and a.
The teachings about the word of God
OF course to do all this, or to follow
any part of these suggestions will de
mand that much work shall be as
signed in advance and that great care
shall be exercised to make any ont
of these lines a connected and inter
esting whole. Above all, beware O
attempting too much lest the schol
airs become confused
II someone can be secured who Il
moderately successful in using tn
blackboard an interesting review cal
be presented to younger scholars b.
making drawing presenting a hal
of fame" with panels for Deborah
Gideon, Ruth, Samuel and Jonathan
Another drawing may, by comparison
be termed the "rogues' gallery" AM
may have in it panels for Samson, Ell
ELS sons, and Saul. Then tell, a
simply as possible. the salient point
in the history of each and show hoy
God approved or disapproved Of thei
lives; which were used, and whic
set aside. Any school can have b.
fore it on a chart or a blackboard tn
following:
The lessons, chief persons, chic
facts are given in order.
/. Joshua, Iraelites, Judges; grea
patience. 2. Deborah, Barak, Sisera
a great deliverance. g. Gideon, Angt
of Jehovah; a great call. 4. Gideor
The Three Hundred; a great tes
S. Manoah, Samson; a great failure
6. Naomi, Ruth, Orpha; a great r.
solve. Z. Eli, Samuel, Jehovah;
great vision. 8. Philistines, Israelite
Eli; a great capture. 8. Samuel;
great victory. TO-, Samuel, Saul;
great honor. IL. Nahash. Saul;
great rescue. IL. Jonathan, Armo
bearer; a great hero.
II written work is asked for be car
full not to assign too much and, as fl
as possible, assign different tasks
individuals of given class.
It would be an inspiration to hay
a number OF girls of the early tee
age each to read brief essay on on
Of the female characters of the pal
quarters lessons, also to have a nun
Der of boys selected to do the sam
for each of the important male cha
acters we have studied.
There is no lack Of subject matte
COR this is period in the history I
Israel that teens with life and acti
ffv