The Brinkley argus., 1918-11-01
IMPROVED UNIFORM INTERNATIONAL SUNnAYS010OL
 LESSON iEy REV. F. B. FITZWATER, D. D., Teacher ot English Bible in the Moody Bible Institute of Chlcago.) Copyrlght 191S Western Newspaper
 Union.)
LESSON FOR NOVEMBER 3
APPETITE AND CREED.

APPETITE AND CREED.
 LESSON TEXT-Genesis 9 5:27-34
 GOLDEN TEXT-Every man that striv- eth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain cor ruptible crown but we an incorruptible.- l Corinthians 9:25.
 DEVOTIONAL READING-Romans1 14: 1923.
 ADDITIONAL. MATERIAL FOR TEACHERS-I Corinthians 8:1-13; 10:23-33; Hebrews 12:15-17.
 1. Boys With a Difference tv. 2D. Esau and Jacob were in decided con- trast. They differed in appearance and disposition. Esau was a cunning hunter, man of the field. Jacob was a plain man, dwelling in tents. They were born that way Every child born into the world possesses a peculiar bent which we call individuality. No l two are exactly alike, even twins like Esau and Jacob. The wise parent, the wide-awake teacher, the educator, seeks diligently to discover that pe- culiar Individuality, and to give 1t di- rection according to the laws of it's own being. This bent is the basis of character. Neither Esau nor Jacob is an ideal personality. Both are selfish.
 II. Parental Favoritism (v. 2S).
 Isaac loved Eau because he did eat of his venison. He ought to have loved him because he was his son, but it is sad commentary upon fa- ther that his love for his son had such a sordid basis as that of his stomach. Isaac, however, was like many today whose love is secured through their ap- petites. Rebecca loved Jacob, though we are not told why. Perhaps it was because of his cunning. In this re- spect he was like his mother, who practiced craftiness to finish on her husband. Cleverness is bond which strongl, binds together many people. Many hold the respect of their friends because of their shrewdness. irrespec. tive of their moral qualities. Parents should treat their children alike. To show partality is both unwise and unjust. Even when children possess peculiar qualities which call forth pa- rental affection, it should never be made manifest that preference Is made.
 III. A Birthright Sold (vv. 29-34). 1. Esau's profanity (Heb. 12:16-1). He sold his birthright for bowl of pottage The birthright was the right of being at the head of the patri- archal family. a position of honor and influence, as we'll as being the inherit or of double portion of the fathers estate. This being gift of God should not be despised. He came from hunting physically exhausted. In this moment of distress, he thought only of that which promised immediate sat- isfaction. He was willing to relin- quish all claim upon the future, if only his present desire could be grati- fled. A profane person is one who for the enjoyment of the present will forfeit all claim upon the future. He would gladly gain both worlds, but seeing that mess of pottage he lets go of the future for the present. Swear ing is profanity, but not the most com- mon. To be under the sway of appe- tlte IS TO De pTOIdne. NlldC pTOldu' ity about usi For a moments sim full pleasure men and women are throwing away innocence, happiness, and their souls eternally. This is most serious, for acts are irrevocable.
 2. Jacobs cunning. It was right that Jacob should have the birthright, for it was according to Gods plan which had been pronounced (v. 23) but his scheme to get it is to be condemned. He took advantage of his brothers weakness to drive a sharp bargain. The same thing is practiced when un- der the force of necessity unlawful in terest is exacted, or property is bought under price because one IS obliged to sell.
 To get rich at the expense of anoth- CT is to practice Jacobs sin. Modern competitive business methods to de cided extent are of this type. Let each one ask: 'Is my name Jacob?" The end never justifies the means. God said that the elder should serve the younger. It was his plan that Jacob should be at the head, but God was able to bring his own plans to pass. He did not need the scheming of Ja- cob and his mother to further his plans. To do evil that good may come Is always wrong.