The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1915-03-26

extent OF the period we have been
studying during the last quarter 10
1872 years. from the death of Joshua
B. G. 1434 to the reign Of Saul. which
began B. C. 1102. 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;
n prophecies. Deborah; also the
priest Eli and his sons; Samuel and
Ahfah; and Ruth, who vas an ances-
tress Of our great high priest. In
the second section we considered Saul
the king. and a prince, Jonathan.
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: %
- PSopAS hdO uSRoAlSu AAoAA NSNp
there was disobedience and a reli-
gious decline. (2) God permitted on
the part of ~Israel's enemies oppression
that finally became unbearable. CD
There was repentance on h part OF
the people and al 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 he prin-
ciples used in Gods punishment Of the
peoples sins?" WAS this form Of
government in vogue a failure!"
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 Jona-
than's life and character" What
great message for todaX-1n~these
characters and these two forms OF
government have?" Doctor Torrey
suggests a profitable form of review.
viz, a doctrinal review: Cd 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;
go The teaching about sin and the
particular sins mentioned; M (4)
The teachings about the word Of God.
OF course to do all this, or to follow
n 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 n n
of these lines a connected and inter
esting whole. Above all, beware OF
attempting too much lest the schol-
ars become confused. Better far to
emphasize one line and let it sink
deep than to spread over SO much ma
terial that no one single impression
Will be a lasting one.
If 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" and
may have in it panels for Samson, Eli.
Ellis sons, and Saul. Then tell, as
simply as possible, the salient points
in the history of each and show how
God approved or disapproved of their
lives; which were used, and which
set aside. Any school can have be-
fore it on a chart or a blackboard the
following:
The lessons, chief persons. chief
facts are given in order.
l. Joshua, Iraelites, Judges; a great
patience. 2. Deborah, Barak, Sisera:
a great deliverance. 3. Gideon, Angel
of jehovah; a great call. 4. Gideon.
The Three Hundred; a great test
5. Manoah, Samson; a great failure.
6. Naomi, Ruth, Orpha; a great re-
solve. Z. Eli, Samuel, Jehovah; a
great vision. 8. Philistines. Israelites,
Eli; a great capture. 9. Samuel; q
great victory. 10. Samuel. Saul; q
great honor. IL. Nahash. Saul; q
great rescue. IL. Jonathan. Armor.
bearer; a great hero.
With the aid of this chart it will
be cas- to draw a word picture OF
the lessons of this quarter or to con
duct an oral review. 1t might be wise
to have read a short account Of. The
girl who married an immigrant
Ruth; "a battle with lights and
pitchers Gideon; What a boy
heard at night" (SamueD; How q
youth helped" (Jonathan's armor-bear
err; Physically strong, morally
weak" (Samson); "A woman who
saved her people" (Deborah): How
the ark was lost" THE story and
meaning of EDenezer." 1t would
also be a fruitful expenditure of time
to question the school upon the struc
ture of the Old Testament It's four di
visions, and the books Of each division
Locate the lessons Of this quarter IL
these divisions and show their rela
tsor ~ the history and dovolonm crt