The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1918-11-13
SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES
Side LIahts On Next Sundays
Lesson for Teachers and Puplls
Edited by, Charles x. Meyers.

Nov. Z. ..~.-,, i'm a,4~ =
We continue studies in the life OF
Jacob, the son of Isaac. Last week
we had we'll presented to us the de-
ception which Jacob played on his
poor half blind father by which he
obtained the blessing from the parent
and was thus able to be at the head
of the tribe and it's chief priest. Trou-
BILE began at once resulting from the
evil toward his brother, and JACOB
was obliged very soon to leave his
home, his parents and from that time
onward to see many ups and downs,
never having perfect peace of mind.
There is much in the life of Jacob
which appeals to every man and wo-
man. He seemed possessed of two
natures, one of cunning craftiness,
desire to. overcome those about him;
and the other an appreciation OF Je-
hovah, care for what He wanted, and
desire to worship Him. When the
most Of us look deep into our hearts
there comes an impress Of thought
which was expressed by the Apostle
Paul when he said that a constant
struggle was going on that he must
combat evil tendencies daily and at
times he even felt that after teaching
others the way to right living he him
self might fail.
It is always said on behalf of the
bible history that the shortcomings
Of the people told of are not CLOSED
over and the good made unduly prom
inent. Jacob, David, Solomon, 1sraers
4 q.fb III INTACT all are
shown up as far from perfect. THESE
are however all punished for their
wrong doings, and sin is not made en-
|ticing. ~s.. IS,
All can recall how their feelings to-
ward God and their fellow men, jump
from the greatest encouragement to
heights of joy and satisfaction. 1t
was this way with the very human
Jacob we are talking about. Obliged
to leave home; afraid, with business
of the anger of his brother Esau, JAG
OBJ came one evening to a place which
has since become famous in bible his
tory, Bethel" alone with no perma-
nent protection; no bed of ease to lay
his tired head on; but resting it on
stones, Jacob spent night long to pc
remembered. In his lonliness his
heart must have turned to the God
whose righteous way he had violated,
and it is not strange that during the
night he should have visions OF Je-
hovah
We speak of this part of the life of
Jacob as Jacobs Dream But 1t
seemed to him more than dream. He
felt he saw the heaven open and a
ladder on which heavenly beings pass
ed up and down from earth to the
presence Of God at the top. 1t SEEM
ed to him that God spoke, making
promises to bless him with a great
number of descendants, and offering
help and protection for the future.
Jacob awoke with the feeling that ne
had been specially spoken to by God:
He meditated on the words he had
heard and carried out the great act
of worship of those days-built an al
tar, burned sacrifices and carried out
religious ceremonies.
Believing that what he had dream
ed was direct from God, Jacob made
promises that he would be true to Je-
hovah, carry out His laws as under
stood by him, and give a tenth OF his
property for religious uses. Like Paul
he was not unmindful of the import
of his vision, and was not disobedient
to what it demanded.
In sermon delivered many months
ago Rev Boyd of Denison, made use
of Jacob in talking about the depar.
ture of the soldier boys from their
homes and praying parents, ne
brought out the idea that the ladder
of prayer was open at all times from
the heart OF the boy in the field Of
encampment, and the parents in the
far off home, and urged that this lad
der be kept in use during the enforc'