Middletown transcript., 1917-09-29
INTERNATIONAL.
SUNlAXSQl00L
LESSON
(By REV. P. B. FITZWATER, D. D..
Teacher of English Bible in the Moody
Bible Institute of Chicago)
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 30
THE GOODNESS AND SEVERITY
OF GOD.
(RevieW.)

LESSON TEXT-Daniel 9:3-19.
GOLDEN TEXT-The Lord Is merciful
and gracious, slow to anger, and plan-
teous in mercy.-Psalms 103:8
A profitable way to spend the hour
would be to make a study Of Danieis
prayer as recorded in the lesson ns-
signed for our reading today, and have
the lessons Of the quarter as illustra-
tions of the goodness and severity Of
God. Announcement of the plan may
be made the Sunday before. and the
different lessons of the quarter as
signed to different members Of the
class to tell how they bear upon the
topic of the lesson for this week. A
broad analysis of Daniels prayer is as
follows:
!. Confession Of the Nations Sins
wv. 8 3:15). The circumstances of this
prayer were extraordinary. The crisis
was so serious that Daniel sought after
prayer to the Lord with fasting, sack
cloth and ashes. In his confession the
peoples sins are placed in contrast
with Gods righteousness. He acknowl
edges that their sorrows and sufferings
justly belong to them. Daniel, the
holy man against whom there Is no
record of wrongdOing, includes himself
with his people.
II. suppIication for Mercy and For
giveness wv. 1919. He pleads for
Gods anger and fury to turn away, and
his remembrance Of the Holy City and
his chosen people. The Lords honor
was at stake. He confesses that Israel
had no merit, were utterly destitute Of
righteouness, and pleads consideration
on the ground Of covenant relationship.
Another way to conduct the review
would be to ask different members Of
the class to report on the different les
sons by giving the vital and central
teaching Of each. The following are
suggested as vital teachings Of the
several lessons:
Lesson 1. God is absolutely holy,
therefore those who have been sancti-
fed by fire from the heavenly altar are
qualified for his service.
Lesson 2. He who turns away from
the Lord shall be judged by the Lord.
Lesson g. In Hezekiah's reformatory
work the Passover Feast was restored,
showing that the only way to get peo-
pie to return to God Is to gather them
around the Cross of Christ-the Atone
ment by Blood.
Lesson 4. Though our unfaithfulness
and cowardice have shamefully humili-
nted us, we should turn to God in |
prayer.
Lesson 5. Gods gracious invitation |
Is extended to all without money and
without price.
Lesson 6. No matter how wicked one
nay have been in his anOstasy from
God, If he sincerely repents, God will
De found of him.
Lesson Z. Regardless Of ones age
md experience God can use him in
loing mighty work If he will but open
lis heart unto him.
Lesson s. The Word of God found
md read will nightly convict of sin.
md transform ones life and environ
nent.
Lesson 9. Gods predictions as to the
aptivity of Israel were fulfilled to the
etter. Nothing shall fail Of that
which God has said he will do.
Lesson 10. Jehovah is the shepherd
f captive Israel. and will surely gather
hem out from their wanderings and
ave them.
Lesson II. One should be unflinch-
1gly loyal to God under all circum-
tances.
Lessons 12 and 13. God is able to de-
yer those who trust him, from fire
nd from wild beasts.