Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-12-29
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.

sured protection from the malicious OPP
preston Of the pernicious pagan neigh
bors and permitted the development
of the national religious and civil life.
that their failures in promoting the
spiritual and civic life of the people
was because the people lacked the
vision of Gods will. They adopted
that sought to make the masses
familiar with the message of the law.
The institution of the pulpit and pop
ular instruction of the people in God
word resulted In freeing the nation
from their spirit of dependency by
giving them spirit of enterprise ard
hope that was born of their faith IN
God. Nehemiah. by his executive abit-
ity and enthusiasm which made pos
sihle the rebuilding of the city and the
organization of its forces. played an
important part in moldiRg judah, put
his greatest success came through ms
with Ezra in bringing the
people to the point where they regu1.
lated their life by the religious princis
pies laid down In the law. The de.
spondency and confidence that marked
the attitude of the nation during the
century that has been considered In
the lessons of the quarter are reflected
in the two psalms assigned Tor the
weeks reading lesson. The 123d Psalm
revealed their attitude in the DARK
hours of trial that made the nation
124th Psalm reflects the victories Sc
Cured by trusting in Jehovah.
The studies in the history of God s
dealing with Judah have modern APP
plication. which it may do well to re-
view The trials that they endured
like those through which the nations
OF the world are passing. were due to
their forgetting the Lord The ne
cessity of aboliahng the use OF strong
drink among the fighting forces was
Lea in, he SRI af
lesson which pointed out how great
general had been defeated through in
temperance. The providence of God
was clear in all the epoch making ex-
periences studied. The Lord was not
limited to the members of the chosen
nation. for He utilized foreign kings as
His instruments I'm carrying out HIS
plans for the development of Judah as
well as the patriot and priest GOO
never forgot the promises that He had
made although the nation deserted Him
and violated His law. His methods
were practical. for He prepared them,
by suffering, to repent and trust Him.
He made the recollection of the former
days to be an incentive to peace, prog
ress and power through their obedience
| to Gods word. His light is still needed
by the nations of the earth, for with
! out the light from His word there can
be no progress and development OF
| either an. individual or nations life.
| Facing the dark hours of war, it is
| time for the nation to repent for its
| sin and turn from following false gods
! of this world. America needs to dem
onstrate it's faith in God, not by stamp
| ing I'm God We Trust" upon the coins
of the nation. but by eourageously fac
! ing the difficult task He has ASST signed to
US with courage and the determination
| to fight it out without any compro-
mise with the enemy until the world
has been made safe for democracy and
men have turned to Him with sincere
| desire to do the Lords will 1t is only
through the personal obedience of the
earth to His commands in their social,
political, business and religious life
that His will and work may be done
among men.
The lessons have been calling for
men to wait upon the Lord in prayer,
realize their individual need of Him,
make public acknowledgment of their
dependence upon Him by praise and
testimony. Throughout the quarter 8
study the evidence of Gods loving
kinSnnss and tender mercy has APP
peared in every lesson. He is ever
a.nA,ous to save His people from their
SINS and from themselves. The grace
of God is still the hope of humanity.
ness and with Him is plenteous re-
demption." This should be an inspira-
ton to us as we are called upon to
sacrifice for the support of the govern
ment in this crucial hour, because the
lessons have furnished us with evil
dences to expect that our forces will
ultimately triumph because our forces
are supplemented with the presence of
the Lord of Hosts.