The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1915-03-25

extent Of the period we have been
studying during the last quarter is
332 years. from the death OF Joshua
II. c. 1894 to the reign OF Saul, which
began - e ii02 Though other
chronologists may differ slightly. this
is approximately correct q,
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 Ell and his sons: Samuel and
Ahiah; and Ruth. who was an anoes-
tress OF our great high priest In
the second section we considered Saul,
the king. and a prince. Jonatha}
Saurs son. While the lessons may
thus be roughly divided. yet we feel
that q general review OF the chsrac,.
tiers and the principal lesson 10 be-
learned from each viii 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: ID
The people had departed from God:
there was disobedience and reli-
gious decline. (2D God permitted on
the part OF Israers enemies oppression
that finally became unbearable. go
There was repentance on the part OF
the people and an appeal 10 God for
help. (4D 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 prohtably discuss such
questions as. why did the people so
easily forsake Cod" Why and how
did their repentance so quickly lead
10 their deliverance?" How did God
help the people to return unto him ?"
What we're the methods and the prin-
ciples used in Gods punishment OF the
peoples sins7" Was this form OF
government In vogue failure {"
Coming TO the second section. many
questions suggest themselves: What
advantages and opportunities did Saul.
the first king. haye?" 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
thans life and character" What
great message for today do these
characters and these two forms OF
government have?" Doctor Torrey
suggests a profitable form OF review,
viz. a doctrinal review: I'd The
teachings OF the lessons Of the past
quarter about Jehovah and the Holy
Spirit: GU The preyiew. types and
manifestations OF the Lord Jesus;
60 The teaching about sin and the
particular sins mentioned; and ca
The teachings about the word OF God.
or 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 one
OF these lines a connected and inter
esting whole. Above all. beware OF
attempting too much lest the schol-
airs become confused.
II someone can be secured who Is
moderately successful In using the
blackboard an interesting review can
be presented to younger scholars by
making a drawing presenting a hall
OF fame, with panels for Deborah.
Gideon. Ruth. Samuel and Jonathan.
Another drawing may. by comparison.
be termed the "rogues' gallery" anv
may have in It panels for Samson, Ell
Els sons. and Saul. Then tell. as
simply as possible. the salient points
in the history OF each and show how
God approved or disapproyed OF their
lives; which were used. and which
set aside. Any school can have be-
fore IL on a chart or blackboard the
following:
The lessons, chief persons. chief
facts are given in order.
/. Joshua, Iraelites. Judges; a great
patience 2. Deborah, Barak, Sisera;
a great deliyerance. 3. Gideon, Angel
OF Jehovah: a great call 4. Gideon
| The Three Hundred; a great test.
8. Manoah. Samson; a great failure
6. Naomi. Ruth, orpha; great re-
solve. Z. ELI. Samuel. Jehovah; a
great vision. s. Philistines. lsraelites.
Eli; a great capture 3. Samuel; a
great victory. 10. Samuel, Saul; a
great honor. IL. Nahash. Saul; a
great rescue. ~. Jonathan. Armor'
bearer; a great hero.
II written work is asked for be care
full not TO assign too much and, as far
as possible. assign different tasks to
individuals OF a given class.
II would be an inspiration to have
a number of girls Of the early teen
age each 10 read brief essay on one
OF the female characters OF the past
quarters lessons, also to have a mum
Der OF boys selected to do the same
for each OF the important male char
acters we have studied.
There is no lack OF subject matter
for this "a a period In the history OF
Israel that teens with life and aetiv
ity.