Evening star., 1917-12-08
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.

Moses that Ezra was itted to lead the
hrst pilgrimage back to the promised
land In the reformation and restora-
tion instituted by Ezra and then com.
pleted by Nehemiah. tho temple had
been restored. With the rebuilding of
the city walls 1t was possible to revive
the worship of Jehovah among the
Jewish people.
When Ezra stood upon that platform
and gave the first pulpit exposition Of
the law he started movement that
from that day to this he has made the
pulpit rather than the altar the
abundant worlds life-giving streams
have flowed" There was wisdom and
craftsmanship in the decision of Ezra
and Nehemiah to give the people a
day the only way that the world can
be made safe for democracy. For a
government of the people. by the
people. and for the people" will not
which has given to the world its de-
mocracy, is studied and its principles
applied by the people in solving the
problems of humanity.
The correct solution of every public
question waits for the masses to be-
come familiar with the Scriptures and
its message for men. Gods word can
not be understood if is studied merely
as guide to understand the literature
of the world. for Its influence upon lit
erature. law and life has been unsur-
passed. Its power is due to the fact
were moved by the Holy Spirit"
Ezra's collection of religious books
was not as large as our Bible but he
recognized that the only way to un-
spiritual appreciation of its truth. so
he commenced his public teachings Of
the law with prayer.
Prayer always prepares a person to
understand Gods message. The failure
of many preacher to reach the hearts
Of his congregation can be traced to
their lack of prayer. The individual who
enters any religious service after a sea-
SON Of spiritual preparation will be
fitted by his season of prayer to receive
a message from the Lord of Hosts. The
work of Ezra and his assistants re-
suited in a-revival, for the people were
convinced by the reading of the law dis
tinctly that they were sinners. They
heard proclaimed by Ezra and Nehe-
miah and turned unto the Lord seeking
the forgiveness of their sins. the res
toration of the nation to the protection
OF Jehovah and the renewal Of His
covenant with them as a people.
They listened attentatively for a week
from morning until evening to the ex-
position of the law and made personal
and public application of its teachings,
The harvest festival that had been neg
fast days and sought diligently for for
giveHess. The covenant with Jehovah
was renewed by the rulers solemnly
signing the pledge of allegiance. This
marked their restoration as a people.
They commenced at once to readjust
the social relations of their life by
stopping their mixed marriages, ceas-
ing the exactions of debts contracted
on pledges and refusing to buy any
foreign goods that were brought into
frU ny, ha Co hot - vHaIy
gave to God tithe of their income and
the flrstlings of their fiocks. They re-
moved the danger of the priests ever
being in want or being turned aside
from doing their duty by any financial
consideration by paying them a definite
salary. They freed them from the ne
cessity Of doing any secular work by
providing wood for the sacrifcial serv-
ices in connection with the temple.
Every principle that characterizes
America to finally enter into the world
war is founded upon the teachings of
Gods word. The open Bible is the only
means by which democracy can be
saved for the world. Our sons must
not only fight for its principles. but as
a nation the family affairs of prayer
must be rebuilt and the daily reading
of the message of God. which was once
a part of every American family's life,
must again be restored to its proper
place. so that the world may be made
safe for democracy. The open Bible
is the only means by which the nation
can preserve its place of leadership
among the nations of the earth. 1t is
only as the nations of the world come
to practice its precepts that permanent
peace can be assured to men. 'sThe law
of the Lord Is perfect, converting the
SOUL" and in the obedience to its pre-
cepts lies the path to peace. prosperity
and power for America and all the ma
tions of the earth. ''The hand Of God"
that has been laid upon them will guide
them through the study of His word ito
the clear heiRhta of His own iusficA and