The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-09-29
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 30
THE GOODNESS AND SEVERITY
OF GOD.
(ReYleW.l


LESSON TExT-Daniel s:5-ls.
4 GOLDEN TExT-The Lord IL mercdful
and gracious. slow to anger, and plen-
teous in mercy.-Pselms 1888.
A profitable way to spend the hour
would be to make a study Of Daniels
prayer as recorded in the lesson as
signed for our reading today, and have
the lessons Of the quarter as illustra-
tons Of the goodness and severity Of
God. Announcement Of the plan may
be made the Sunday before, and the
different lessons Of the quarter as
signed to different members of the
class to tell how they bear upon the
topic Of the lesson for this week. A
: broad analysis of Daniels prayer is MS
sesollows:
!. Confession Of the Nations Sins
wv. 3:15). The circumstances Of this
prayer were extraordinary, The crisis
was so serious that Daniel sought after
prayer to the Lord with fasting, sack
cloth and ashes. In his confession the
peoples sins are placed in contrast
with Gods Righteousness. He acknowl-
edges that their sorrows and sufrerlngs
Justly belong to them. Daniel, the
holy man against whom there is no
record Of wrongdolng, includes himself
with his people.
u. SuppIleation for Mercy and For.
glveness wv. 16-10). He pleads for
Gods anger and fury to turn away, and
his remembrance of the Holy City and
his chosen people. The Lords honor
was at stake. He confesses that Israel
had no merit, were utterly destitute Of
righteouness, and pleads consideration
on the ground Of covenant relationship.
Another way to conduct the review
would be to ask different members Of
the class to report on the different les
sons by giving the vital and central
teaching Of each. The following are
suggested as vital teachings of the
several lessons:
Lesson l. God IS absolutely holy,
therefore those who have been sancti-
fed by fire from the heavenly altar are
qualified for his service.
Lesson .. He who turns away from
the Lord shall he Judged by the Lord.
Lesson 3. In Hezeklah's reformatory
work the Passover Feast was restored,
showing that the only way to get PEG.
pie to return to God Is to gather them
around the Cross Of Christ-the Atone.
ment by Blood.
Lesson a. Though our unfaIthfulness
and cowardiCe have shamefulIy humlll-
ated us, we should turn to God In
prayer.
Lesson s. Gods gracious invitation
is extended to all without money and
without price.
Lesson 6. No matter how wicked one
may have been in his apostasy from
God, If he sincerely repents, God will
be found of him.
Lesson Z. Regardless Of ones age
and experience, God can use him in
doing mighty work If he will but open
his heart unto him.
Lesson s~The Word Of God found
and read will nightly convict Of sin,
and transform ones life and environ
ment.
Lesson 8. Gods predictions ms to the
captivity of Israel were fulfilled to the
letter. Nothing shall fall of that
which God has said he will do.
Lesson 10. Jehovah Is the shepherd
OF captive Israel, and will surely gather
them out from their wanderings and
save them.
Lesson II. One should be unfinch.
ingly loyal to God under all circum-
stances.
Lessons 70 and 10. God is able to de-
liver those who trust him, from fire
and from wild beasts.