The Green Forest tribune., 1917-08-17
LESSON FOR AUGUST 19
THE BOOK OF THE LAW.

l. The Book of the Law Found (vv. 14-1O, l. The occasion (v. 14). It was found while the work of repairing the temple was going on. At what part in the temple we do not know; perhaps in the treasure house, for 1t was found while bringing out the money to pay for the repairs. Perhaps this was in or near the ark, for the law was usual ly kept in or by the ark
 7. By whom (v. 14. Hilkiah, the high priest, was the finder. It is strange that the high priest was igno- rant of the place where the law was found. It is sad comment upon the moral and spiritual condition of priests and kings. since they were appointed always true that when one does not want to have his life ordered by the Bible he will put 1t out of his sight. The disappearance of the Bible from our homes, and the neglect of it in our study, is q certain sign of evil in our lives. Be assured, however, that though the law of the Lord be removed from our sight it shall sooner or later come before us to judge us. God has declared that his Word shall not return unto him void, but shall accomplish that Whereunto it hath been sent.
 5. Its disposition (v. 16). Hiikiah gave the law to Shaphan the scribe, who delivered 1t to the king along with his report as to the disposition of the money which had been collected.
 II. The Book of the Law Read (vv. IS. 29 3O). l. To the king (v. 1S). This was most impressive scene, the king listening to the reading of the law of God. It was the proper thing to do, for those appointed by God to rule over the people should be anxious to know the will of God concerning them. The pious king believing in it as Gods Word, was anxious to know Gods thought concerning the nation. His interest became intense, as he was made conscious of the apostasy of his people from Gods law. His chief anxi- ety was to know what was Gods pur- pose as to the nation in view of their idolatry. It is sensible thing to make oneself intelligent as to his responS- bilities, even to know what judgments shall befall those who have turned from God. One should know the worst while there is time yet to escape his of escape from perdition.
 ?. To the people (vv. 20, 30). At the direction of the king the priests, elders and all the people were called together to hear Gods Word read. This was as it ever should be. People have a right to hear what God has to say to them as well as the king. To keep the people ignorant of the Word of the Lord is q great crime. The crying need of the age. with all its boasted knowledge, fine church equipment and cultured minis try, is for the Word of God to be brought to the ears of the people.
 III. The Effect of the Reading of the Law. (vv. 20-2S; 31-33). When Gods Word is intelligently read and under stood there is bound to be an impress sion made.
 l. The king rent his clothes (v. 19). The man who will honestly listen to the reading of Gods WOr1 will be brought to his knees, for he will be con- vieted of sin, and will take the place of reimbursement before the Lord. The king first saw his own sins and con- fessed them. It is a good sign when one sees his own shortcomings and failures, and not primarily those of others.
 2. The king made inquiry of the Lord through Huldah the prophecies (vv. % 2S). His supreme motive in this in- quiry was to find out whether there was some way to avert the awful judg- ments which were impending, as set forth in the Word of God. After all, the human heart instinctively turns from threatened woe to inquire wheth- CT there is not way of escape. Along side of the flaming, laundering Sinai was placed the Levitical system of offerings. Law and grace are not far removed. The law becomes our school master to bring us to Christ. Through Huldah the message came that God had taken account of all their sins and that judgment must fall, but Josiah would be spared the sight of all Gods visitation of wrath. The penitence of the king turned aside Gods wrath from himself, but the nation would be obliged to suffer for its awful apostasy
 8. The king made covenant (vv. 31, 32). This was to the effect that he would walk in the commandments of the Lord. He also made the people stand to this covenant. He no doubt acted from the sincerity of his heart, but it would seem that the agreement of the people was through coercion.
 4. Further reforms (v. 33). Josiah now reached out as far as the national boundaries, took away their abomina- tions and made Israel to serve the Lord their God. The fact that the book of the law was found implies that it had been lost. The way it had been lost is not definitely set forth, but nu- merous ways may be suggested. The Bible is lost book to many protesting Christians today, maybe through lack of interest in it, willful neglect or neg lect through the stress of life's buSi- ness and pleasures. May we not each one inquire as to whether our Bibles are lost? It may be that they are lost to us through the perversion of their meaning, wrong motives actuating our | lives, longing after sin and the inter- estS of the world.
 Had High Fever.
 Marjorie was sickly child and whenever her face was the least bit