The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-11-23
INTERNATIONAL
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
BY w. T. ELLIS

He saw things in their deepest signi-
ficance. When we get down to fun
damentals, then God himself becomes
the chief actor.
What Sort of God Have You?
= 1t has been my lot to see men wor-
shipping all kinds of gods, from
stick or a stone, a monkey or DEM
on, to the sun, the elements and the
universe. in addition to those who bow
down before the revealed Jehovah of
the Scriptures. 1t has been notable
that one may generally take the
measure of a people by the size of the
study this One Hundred and Third
Psalm, which is better read than com
mented upon, we find that it is largely
taken up with praise for the attributes
of Jehovah. The wide-visioned poet
found nothing else so worth rejoicing
over as the characteristics of the Most
High.
Six groupings of David's causes of
Thanksgiving suggest themselves rain
er obviously. First of all, he was
grateful for a God who forgives- The
more deeply we look into life, and the
older we grow, the more clearly we
perceive that this is our need of needs,
forgiveness. No wonder Jesus gave II
so large a place in His model prayer.
If we are to have either peace or
gladness, we must nave Goo WHO
forgives.
Satisfaction with life, life saved
and crowded with loving kindness
and tender mercy, is the psalmlst
second reason for gratitude Coo
goodness makes great. Then, in the
third place, God renews youth. The
secret that Ponce DeLeon sought in
vain in Florida is found in the
Psalms. A long succession OF christ
ian ministers and their wives bring
Il PC
to mind in illustration of the truth in
which David exulted, that God re-
news the youth of His children, so
that they never grow faded or blase.
And this God, fourthly, is merciful
and slow to anger. He is not a petty
lowances and forbears. He is not the
''touchy'', easily offended Being that
some have represented Him as being.
For, like his Greater Descendant,
David glimpsed the tremendous truth
that God may be thought Of in terms
of fatherhood. Like as a/father pit
ieth, that's God. Nobody ever had
any thoughts too loving and merciful
tender and patient about God. When
we can say to Him trustfully, "Fa
then, I thank Thee we have ac-
Quired a rather complete theological
sixth division, David gives thanks for
equipment. Summing all up. as a
sixth division, David gives thanks for
what God is in himself Not the gift,
but the Giver, supremely merits our
thanksgiving
Out in San Francisco they have had
for several summers camp for poor
children called "Happyland." 1t has
only one rule, which it that every
Dody must be happy. For if they
are happy, of course they will be
obedient and good. So a compre-
henSive rule for the conduct of life is
to be grateful. The person who habit
ually counts his blessings is the one
VINO gets more blessings to count He
also arrives at the point of thanking
God even for the proVidences which
he cannot understand: it is enough
TO know that they ares a Fathers
send1ngs. Bishop Bickersteth has
gathered up our lesson in his great
hymn.
Peace, perfect peace, in this dark world of
The blood of Jesus whispers peace within.
Peace nr perfect peace, b, thrOnging duties
To do the will of Jesus, this is rest.
Peace, perfect peace, with sorrows surging
On Jesus bosom naught but calm is found.
Peace, perfect peace, with loved one far
away?
In Jesus keeping we are safe. and they.
Peace. perfect peace, our future all I'M
known?
Jesus we know, and He is on the throne
Peace, perfect, peace, death shadowing us
and ours?
Jesus has vanquished death and all its
1T is enough: earth's struggles SOON shall
And Jesus call us to heavens perfect
peace