Middletown transcript. [volume] (Middletown, Del.) 1868-current, 1917-08-04

GOLDEN TEXT-Let the wicked 1or-
sake his way, and the unrighteous man
his thoughts: and let him return unto the
Lord and he will have mercy upon him;
and to our God. for he will abundantly
pardon.-Isaiah 65:7.
The reign Of Manasseh was the long
est of any of the kings Of Judah. 1t is
strange that q wicked king should
have the distinction Of the longest
reign. This can be accounted for, per-
haps, by the fact that the nation was
in such a state that their idolatrous
corruption needed to 60 to its fullest
development. 1t seems to be neces-
sary in q world of free beings, that
their actions must 60 to a certain
stage of development. 1t was so with
the inhabitants of Canaan before that
land was possessed by Israel. Israel
was kept in Egypt until the iniquity
of that nation was full. In this case
doubtless the Lord permitted this to
20 on until the idolatrous practices
would become extremely obnoxious.
Another reason why this is done is to
show Gods long forbearance. He Is
not willing that any should perish, but
that all should come to repentance
III Peter 8:9). And finally, we can
account for it on the ground that God
permits these things to 60 on long In
order to vindicate his justice when he
Judges. He does not strike In judg-
ment until all hope Of repentance Is
past.
|. Manasseh's Sin wv. 1-9). Though
he had the example of good father,
he with passionate endeavor gave HIM
self up to the imitation of the heather
about him. This shows that grace is
not inherited; a good father may have
q bad son. 1t also teaches US that 1t
is absolutely necessary to bring the
grace Of God into vital touch with our
children, for that grace is absolutely
essential to their salvation. Only bis
grace can counteract the. downward
pull Of sin.
1. He restored the high places which
had been destroyed by his father
". 81. It is thus seen that he sought
to undo the good work done by his
father.
2. He erected affairs to Baal ". 81.
The idols worshiped on these affairs
seem to have been images Of ncen-
tious appearance, provoking the indul-
gence Of the human passion. There
fore, with this worship was coupled
the grossest RIGHTEOUSNESS.
8. He introduced the star worship
of the Chaldeans and Assyrians ". b..
He even erected these affairs In the
house of the Lord, placing them on
level with God himself.
4. He set up Moloch In the Vale OF
Hinnon ". 81. He not only encour-
aged this worship on the part Of 9TH
ers, but he even caused his own chill
dren to pass through the fire.
8. He practiced magic, witchcraft,
and dealt with a familiar spirit ". g..
So gross were these practices that
they did even worse than the heather
whom God had destroyed before the
Children of Israel came into the land.
It seems to be true always that when
those who profess to worship God turn
away from him, they indulge in sin
in excess of the unbelievers.
6. He rejected the Lords testimony
". 10Y. Doubtless the prophets had
again and again admonished him, but
he seems to have turned entirely aside
from such remOnstrances.
II. Manassehs Chastisement wv. H.
13). The Lord In grace used the AS
syrians to chastise Manasseh, so as to
bring him to see his evil ways. He
was captured, perhaps while hiding
among the thicket of thorns ". 11),
bound in chains and carried to Baby
Ion. This was most humiliating. His
hands were manacled, his ankles fas-
tened together with rings and a bar.
Ill. Manasseh's Repentance. wv. II,
1S). Fortunately, the chastisement
had it's desired effect. Manasseh was
brought to his senses and turned from
his evil ways. The steps in his re-
pentance are as follows:
1. Affection ". 12). This was most
severe. Bound with chains and dragged
to Babylon. While this was severe, it
was light in comparison with the sins
which provoked it. Many today are
grooming under the weight of Gods
chastisement who have not yet come
to realize that the weight Is light COM
pared with the offense. Affection Is
Gods love token (Heb. 12:6). Its pri-
mary design is to bring men back to
God.
2. Supplication ". 12). Manasseh
had the good sense to cry out to God
In this condition. It is the unmistak-
| able evidence that Gods chastisement
is accomplishing its purpose. We are
instructed in James 8 :13 in time Of af-
fiction to pray.
8. Humility ". 12). This is a COM
mon Characteristic Of penitent souls.
Those who come under the hand Of
God always recognize it in their hum
BILE walk.
4. Forgiveness ". 1877. As soon as
God sees the signs Of penitence, he
turns In mercy to the penitent and
grants absolution for sin. No one
needs to wait long to receive his for
| giveness.
8. His kingdom restored ". 49,.
Manasseh not only was forgiven, but
he was actually restored to his king
dom. Those who truly repent, God
will not only forgive, but he will re-
store (Psa. 81 1867.
6. Apprehension Of God ". 13).
Through this experience Manasseh
came to know God. He not only came
| To know God as the iealnus God the