The Spectator., 1915-11-23
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 2e
AMOS, THE FEARLESS PROPHET

Among the prophets Amos bulks large. His message (B. C. fS7 ? is most thoroughly modern and it's ap. plication to our present day problems deserves careful consideration. Read the entire book prayerfully Chapters 1 and ? enumerate the sins of the nation and of Israel: 3-6 contain ad. dresses of the prophet: 7:1-9. 10 rec. ords his visions and the conclusion, 9:11-15 is Messianic prophecy. The modern prophet of social service and those who neglect a proper consider. ation of applied Christianity" both ought to ponder well this passage.
 1. Jehovah's Lamentation, vv.1-3. The words of this lesson are those of Je, hovah spoken to the house of Isreal but apply to all people of all ages Verse one is prophecy of the mas. ters grief over the holy city uuke 1884; 19:4D. Outwardly rich and opulent. in Jehovah's sight the na- tion had already fallen (v. 2 R. V.) and there lis none (present tense) to raise her up" Israel is personifed as a maiden sorely wounded. Spoken decades before, Israel did fall and has risen no more. But there is possibil, ity of mercy There is here a com. mand and q promise and those who obey the command will obtain the promise of life.
 To seek ye me" (v. 4) is to turn the face to him rather than to turn the back. It implies the forsaking of all evil thoughts, yea, our own thoughts and ways and to turn unto him who will abundantly pardon Qsa. 55:6-7; Deut. 30: 2S). There is life for the most outbreaking and outrageous sinner if he will seek the Lord.
 II. The Prophets Exhortation, w. 4-9 had each been made sacred by Gods presence and subsequently, degraded by idolatry. Bethel especially so. Gen. 12:S; 2S: 10-1S: Kings 12: :29-29. These new religions and the false worshiping were beguiling even the sincere and unwary, hence the warn ing. We need to beware of the mani. fold new cults" lest we depart from the faith of our fathers America is today standing upon social and re- ligious crater in many ways similar to ancient Israel. God is either a con suming fire (IIeb. 15; 2S-29: Mark 9:43-49) to the impenitent or else a minister of grace to those who repent. Verse seven is a suggestion regard ing the rulers of that day and finds far too many counterparts in our own times. In verse Jehovah exhorts In verse 6 the prophet utters the same cry. Now (v. S) the appeal is to seek him because to do so is wisdom. (a) It is he that maketh the stars" the earth, yea, everything, and it is we'll to be on his side CPS. 19). (b) He 'turneth the shadow of death into morning" (R. V) (see Ps. 30;5). Who can comprehend the vast host of his saints for whom this has been done? (c) He 'maketh the day dark with the night" (R. VD. This he is doing repeatedly. The God who set tho day in its turn can also turn it aside; he has done it both past and present.
 III. The Word of Application, w. 1o-15. Sinners always hate the man who rebukes their sin. Scripture is not needed to prove this fact, for we see it today. We are specifically warned against the praise of the wicked (Luke 6:26) and any true and upright witness for Christ knows that he is abhorred by those whose lives are crooked. (John 3:1S. 20). Verse II GA. VD sounds very much like many of the strictures that are being made regarding the acts of some of the rich of today. How frequently we behold mansions built from the pro- ceeds of oppression deserted by the ones who anticipated their occupancy. How few fortunes are really expended and enjoyed by those who make the accumulation. The manner by which we accumulate. our conduct towards the just (Acts 7:52), our acceptance of bribes. and our neglect of the needy and the poor is all known to God. (v. 12). Therefore" even as today it is difficult and costly to get justice in our courts, even as iniquity is rapid ly growing in the earth, about all the prudent man can do is to hold his peace, to wait upon God and watch for him. He it is who must call with trumpet voice lisa. 5S:D even though he does now speak with human lips. The fourth exhortation to seek" ~. l4) is to search after the good though the time be an evil one"
 True goodness is to hate evil and love the good (Ps 97:10; Rom 10:9l. By this test we may know if we really hate sin. if we are truly righteous.
 We have churches and lack rever- ence; we have preachers but are rot sufficiently conscious of our weak morals; we hear sermons yet cur faith Is fiabby.
 We can get on without armies and navies, airships and submarines, kings and legislators. yea lacking in all of 0f Vi