The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1917-07-25
SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES
Side Lights on Next Sundays
Lesson for Teachers and PupfIa
Edited by Charles x. Meyers.
CRAWFORD COU MY Sc II D A Z
oCHOOL. ASSOCIATION

S First V1ce-PreSldeht, f.. u. Dannett,
West Side
Second Vice.President, E. G. Wig,
gins, Dow City.
Third Vice-President, VIM. Lind
berg, Kiron.'
Fourth Vice-President, Edward Ly-
on, Charter Oak.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES, Chas. X. Mcy-
ers, Denison. .s.sy1. s
Elementary Superintendent, Mrs.
Anna Williams, Denison.
Secondary superintendent, Frank
B Woolston, Denison.
Adult and Home Superintendent.
Mrs. E. w. Pierce, Denison.
Educational Superintendent, Miss
MOnetta Jorgensen, Vail.
I'd Supervision Superintendent, F.. L.
Hoffman, Denison
July -29-"G0d's Gracious invitation"
Isaiah IS. ~.
We have for our lesson this week
one of the most remarkable chapters
of the entire bible. 1t is the famous
18th chapter Of Isaiah; how often have
we all heard it read. True, at times
when the mind was not atune to its
lofty tones of entreaty, the wonderful
words fell unheeded, but again their
full import struck home and their
grandeur and import stirred the SOUL
The words Of the 55th of Isaiah
were written some 712 years before
the birth of Christ Note the wonder,
for they set forth the spirit of the
gospel of Jesus. The words might we'll
have been from the lips Of the Mas
ter as they give joyful invitation to-
believe in Him, partake of water
which once taken there shall no thirst
ensue thereafter; to eat of bread
which will satisfy the longings Of food
forever. '.
above ones age and environment the
most gifted writer's advance in
thought, there must come the convic-
ton that the bible words such as
found in the lesson today, were in
spired by an intelligence far superior
to that of mortal man. We have the
writings of the greatest thinkers and
religious leaders for thousands of
years back. but when placed in COM
parisOn with the words of the bible,
there is simply nothing to compare.
Mohommet, and Budda,
all have lived and written, and the |
results are shown in the mental, moral
and physical conditions of their fol-
lowers as seen today. There is moth |
ing to be desired in their teachings |
or the condition of their followers.
But the wonderful lesson! Consider
he flaming invitation joyously given:
$50, every one that th1rsteth,
come we to the waters, and he
that hath no money, come we buy,
I and eat. Wherefore do We spend
yoHf money for that which is not
bread? You labor for that which
satisfieth not? Incline your ear,
and come unto me; hear, and
your soul shall live
In tune with this are the words of !
Revelation %, II.
"The spirit and, the bride say,
4 come, and let him that heareth
say come. and whatsoever will, let
him come and take of the water
2 of life freely"
What blessed invitation is thus
given. God is thus truly set forth as
j loving father wanting all to return |
his love with joyous willing service.
Let it be noted that the gods of all
neathen nations are to be feared, they |
are ever angry with the sins of the |
people. and must be propitiated, brib-
ed, bought-off Jesus is the loving,
tender Saviour. He calls aloud:
II oi
rest. My yoke is easy, burden light"
whatsoever liveth and believeth in
me shall never die"
There is the thought in the words
Of Isaiah of spending labor for that
which satisfieth not. Many there are
who are led to think that lives Of dis
sipation, sin and defiance of God will
leads.io happiness. 1t needs not, the
words of the bible to make plain that
this is grievious error. Physical en-
joyments are not to be compared
with those experienced by the sheart
and soul. A clear conscience before
God and man is priceless. 1T is, a
Joy in the night seasons or when you
walk by day. 1t adds to life, makes
the present annoyances insignificant,
and gives promise of an eternal fu- |
ture free from pain with God.
In the words of the lesson there is |
call for the wicked to forsake his ways
and return unto God, who will have |
mercy and abundantly pardon. Here !
is the true gospel spirit. We have all |
come far short of what we ought to |
be. The most wicked is not so much !
worse than those who claim perfection |
and holiness. The gospel invitation |
covers all. 1t is my earnest hope that
the study OF this lesson will bring out
again the joyous side of the religion
of Jesus; tell of the freely offered
gospel which has power to pardon
sins, uplift the fallen, keep them to
the end, and give eternal life to all /
who are faithful until death.