Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-08-03
Sunday School Lesson
Blu Dr.. Marion Nell. Hull

I widespread growth Of spirltualism since the
war began. In England peuplc Of high intel
leCtuAl attachments have been set off their feet
/ by IL: and it is common occurrence to iead
Of their supposed communications with tine spir-
its Of loved ones whose lives were lost In the
war. There is scriptural reason for knowing
that this is possible. for saul talked with the
spirit Of Samuel which called up from the
dead by the Witch Endor. That was real
communication which Saul had. hut II is con
demnei. There is no doubt but what you may
have real communication with departed spirits
but beware that you do not yield 10 this snare
Of the devil! FinSlly he made carved image
. and erected that In the very temple itseII Where
Col had said that His name should dwell. lie
called O. all this terrible slaughter OF the
prophets. Isaiah being sawn asunder. The rec
ord seems 20 show that ManaSSeh was on lhe
lookout for every form Of heather religion that
ne could find, and that as soon as ne tound II
he introduced 70. lie went far beyond any
King Who had preceded him and IL was because
Of his sin along these lines of idolatry that
Judsh YVES carried captive into Babylon In
passing 10 Is interesting TO remark however,
that while up 20 that time the jews nau Oeen
constantly going into tdOlatrS, theH nave he,eI
been known TO 90 into IL since the BaoyionlA
capttvity They were cured by the experience.
tsoi did not allow this 10 continue Wlhou'
rsmopstrapee in every way that lie could.
lie plead with Manasseh and with the people
10 forsake thei- idols end turn TO Him. but
they would rot heed ,Ilim. One OF the most
beautiful books in literature and one Whlch
shows ms very largely what the conditions were
AT that time f. Micah The prophet pleao
with Judah TO turn unto God. What does 600
care for their sacrificesf lie is not pleased
with thousands Of rams or tens of thousands OF
rivers Of oil. that they come with offerings
aud calves year Old-yes; even fney Dot s bs
satisfied. The Lord required nothing but 10 40
Justly aud TO love mercy and TO humble tnem-
selves TO walk with God; Yet In spite OF an an
these pleadings, Manasseh ana tue PeOp'e ie
manned obstinate.
When God sets out TO win man and cannot
win him one way, He will win him sSotne eS. ana
the king Of Assyrin TO come against judah. He
himself seemed TO have been busy with the eva
sion Of Egypt, hut sent his generals Tor Manas-
sen They captured him. put a hook with
chains through his upper lip and led him BACK
captive 10 Babylon. Through Esarhaddon was
the king Of Assyria, he had conquered Baoylpn
and had his palace there for many years. ira
dition SAYS that he had brass mule made IN
which he impressed Mhnasseh and fed him on
bran bread and vinegar until Manasseh' In ms
distress and helplessness, remembered probably
tire teachings OF his cody father, and num-
bIed himself before God, prayed to Him Tor
forgiveness and received II.
He was restored to Jerusalem by Esarhaddon
IA thing not entirely unknown, but very unusual
among those eastern kingsl, and TO his ereJlt
he IL said, that he did everything tnat ne
could 20 undo the wrong things he had done.
He was carried captive in his twenty-thir year,
that Is when he was 80 years old, and was re-
stored TO jerusalem two years later In ms
twenty-fifth year InasmuSh as ne IEbst S S
had done. but in spite OF all his effortt' ne
could not undo IT. lie took away the high places,
Jehovah, he took away the image, but away
the consulting OF familiar spirits and wizards,
and his life from then on was as complete
about face as any mans could be-
ABOUT FACE
Now this took a good deal of courage
Mansssehs part. for he had to 30 in the
face OF all those who had been his political
rIlies up to that time There was no question
Volved which appealed TO him most strongly,
just as the liquor interests today make such a
strong appeal to our government, trying 10
brighten them 10 the losses that would be
entRiled by local or national prohibition; Just
as those who make their living from vice are
willing TO sacrifice the lives and souls OF
many who affected by II for the paltry
dollars which come into, their pockets. Human
nature has not changed, and these people I'M
doubtedly made IL hot for ManaSseh when he put
stop to their fortune telling their hcentous-
ness and threw out Of employment thousands Of
priests who made their living through these
idOlatrOus practices.
In spite Of all that Manasseh could do, how
ever be could not wipe out the scars made and
the sin stain which is easily made.
God had met him more than half way, and
he turned to God in his distress, not primarily
OF his own accord, but because God had been
following him. This punishment which had
come upon him WIS allowed by God because OF
His lore for him.
sons for going wrong. He took the way which
leadeth to destruction although he was con
stantly invited to take the other way which
leadeth 20 life. He great sinner but he
had a great Savior. God gives US the record OF
a few experiences like this that the vilest
sinner may hope for pardon, but only few in
stances that none Of us may presume upon
Gods merry. Yes, Manasseh was forgiven and
restored Manasseh was a saved man, but how
much better Il would have been II he had re-
mrmbered his Creator in the days OF his youth
and had never sinnedI oh. boys and girls, You
had better not sin at all; but IL yOu have sinned
then come at once, and God will accept you,
"for him that cOmeth to me. will in no wise
cast him out" II you viii not come, He is
going TO follow you. and follow you. and follow
you. until lie finds you. although Won may
have to 90 through some bitter experience as
Menassah aid. Hear Him calling Won and come
TODAY