The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-11
INTERNATIONAL
SUNDAY SCHOOL
LESSON
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.

| BY WILLIAM 7. ELLIS.
For October 10 is "Abram Helping
Lott Genesis 1911; 14:14-16.
A Slacker's Choice.
A celebrated Stacker and an inn
mortal hero are the outstanding char
acters in this lesson. The incident
which is to choose the comfortable
place for ones self. In the assumption
that one Is mo-. entitled than others
to ease and privilege and safety.
OF course, the Stacker Is such in his
spirit long before he begins to dodge
a draft or a duty. He holds the child
ish and stupid notion that he is some
sort of superior creature who has a
right to special consideration. 1t may
be because he is rich, and has always
slept in soft beds and ridden in his
own automobile; or because his father
was a distinguished man; or because
he Is of the socially elect; or because
he is sensitive and hates the sight
of blood; or because he has political
nfiuence-whatever the reason, it cas-
lily seems adequate to the one who en-
tertains it. He feels justified in ask
ing odds of life. Others may stand
up under the average mans burdens.
but he, claims exemption All of
which is a roundabout way of saying
that the Stacker is q, small and selfish
soul, tinged yellow.
That may sound like harsh char
acterization when applied to a Bible
| characted. Nevertheless. it fits Abra-
spoiled favorite of fortune: and in the
hour of decision and opportunity, he
played the contemplate part. Had he
! lived at the present time he would
have used his uncie's influence to Sc
cure him position. with good rank
and little work, q "bullet-proof" job
at Washington or Ottawa or London.
\ Assurediy it would have to be in
the city. Lot-Captain Lot or Major
Lot he would be, of course was es-
sentially a city. man. He would con-
fide in you. with somewhat ag-
grieved air, that his relatives were
too countrikied to understand him:
! but that all his tastes were urban
and refined. He was a man of the
| world, who needed the society of So
phisticated people. He was at his best
parading the principal street with
smart friends. especially ladies-not
with Mrs: Lot. for she was too do
mestic;" he meant that she was too
much of a. trump for his polished
taste. And he had long ago out
grown the old-fogy notions of Uncle
Abe concerning the proprieties: for
when you are in Rome youfmust do
as the Romans do
| That City Nephew.
| Circumstances had >necessitated a
separation between Abraham and Lot.
There had been strife among their
herdsmen over pasturage, and the old
man, with spacious and unruffled wis
dom, had proposed that the two COM
panies divide. Magnanimously, he
gave his nephew first choice. That
| was Lots chance to show his mettle.
He should have met generosity with
equal generosity, and displayed the
| Difference due seniority. All oriental
| traditions as well as instructive sensi-
bility required this.
But Lot was a Stacker; what was
fitting and honorable concerned him
less than what was easy and of pres
ksort who would have seen in a world
war primarily a chance to make
money. HIS obligations to his Uncle
Abraham. his debt to the proprieties
his opportunity to be unselfsh, al
meant less to him than the chance te
pitch his tents down in the fat valley
by the great cities OF Sodom and Co
morrah. Truth to tell. he was rather
glad to get away from his unc1e's re.
liglous talk and his old-fogy ways.
Life was softer and easier down In
the Jordan valley. Lot was pleased te
nights of those hills. In the valley
everything was luxuriant Thee frs
glimpse of this Jordan Depression
down by theDead Sea. as can testify
is of tropical luxuriancs. There wave
the palm trees, while the banana
fronds make whispering music nigh
, and day. Truly does the lesson writer
liken it to the garden of the Lord.
Who that has tasted them can evel
forget the refreshing. sweet lemons
, fruits and balmy Air and erortless lif,
that Lot chose when he elected tn,
Jordan lowlands.
Then there were also the cities. Lo
deemed himself city man, "too big
for the slow-going and pious tents O
Abraham; the progressive and cos
mopoltan city was his meter. All
Lot, you were not the only self initiate,
man who, brushing aside family obi
cations and traditions. sought the en-
ervating airs of the city, only to fal
VI prey to its seductions. OF course yo,
did not mean to succumb to the snare
, OF the city: what moth ever feared tn
, flame? But it was rather ,deliciou
, sensation to daily with its delights
wasn't it? You would show you
poky old uncle that you could handl
. pitch and not be defiled
When Bigness Meets Littleness.
Conflict uncovers the character of
E man. His real bigness or littleness will
D then appear. Abraham proved his sig
E by the way he dealt with Lot. He di,
! not call him an migrate and a cad an.
a selfish Stacker. He kept his owl
spirit sweet, and sent his nephew of
with blessing. If the sense of in
justice ranked in his own bosom, h
tgave no sign of it. In shining gener
: osity, he acted as if Lots choice wa
+ perfectly satisfactory to him.
4 Abraham proved his religion in thi
episode. 1t takes more than natura
n gifts; it needs the grace of God, to en-
able a man to preserve his poise an
/. serenity in such circumstances. As w
muse upon this evidence of Abra
o hams calibef and character, we ar
reminded that in life we have to dea
: with the little oftener than with tn
q big; and that the difficult thing is
u conduct ourselves toward the sma
and the selfish without pettiness. T
, refrain from being sharp toward tn
] sharp; censorious toward censorious
ness intolerant of intolerance, calls 70
-