The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-10-25
INTERNATIONAL
SUNDAY SCHOOL
LESSON
BY wILLIAMT. ELLIS.

Ill BY WILLlAMT. ELLIS.
| For October 81 is. Isaac and Re
= ca.''-Genesis 24s57-5f.
| e+t-- Enter the Woman.
Within the scope of an ancient
| match ma king, the story of Rebecca
and Isaac, which is this weeks Sum-
\ day school lesson, we find the theme
| of womanhoods place in a war-torn
j world, and in progressive social Or
der. 1t is the only study of woman
hood that the International Sunday
school committee has assigned during
| the year and it is specifically indicated
that it is to be studied topically. i
i Rebecca embodies romance. Her
| story is one that all girls love. For
\ it has all the elements of surprise and
adventure and good fortune. She was
i about her ordinary household tasks,
! bearing water from the netghboring
| we'll for dom este use, when, 10, out of
the desert appeared her fortune! The
| aged traveller with string of camels
for whom she thought to do only bit
| of womanly kindness to a wayfarer
| turned out to have precious gifts in
his luggage. including prince for a
husband S
As Marriage Goes in the Orient.
This is not an ideal tale of love-
making, according to our modern and
western standards. 1t is entirely orr
entail. The marriage was an ar
ranged one. Neither man nor maiden
saw the other until the marriage had
been made. There was none Of the
passion of pure affection, such as is
the glory of the relation between the
sexes today, and the form of courtship
and marriage.
Often Isaac is sneered at for letting
his father send a servant off to choose
a wife for him. That was the way of
the world in which he lived; as it is.
indeed, the way of most the old world
today. Isaac was rather a poor stick.
it is true; digger of wells for other
men to seize; g. mere link between
two stronger men, his father and his
son. But we should not lay up against
him his manner of courting; probably
Sarah was selected for Abraham by
his family, in pretty much the same
fashion. And If. as it turned out. the
wife chosen was the stronger person.
ality of the two, and a bit unscrupu-
lous in some of her ways. at least she
added virihty to family that needed
AS Abraham grew old, he became
concerned about wife for his son.
He did not want him to marry a
heather. The old man was right in
this. Young people should marry
within the limits of their own race
and religion. There are other than
the immediate sentimental Issues in
volved in every MARRIAGE; the larger
| SOCIAL ASPECTS, affecting the race may
not de disregarded. Children and
chiIdren's children have to be taken
into the account. The coast of Asia
, lis strewn with the evidences of the
i, folly of white men in marrying women
of other races. Wise parents and
ton that the head as well as the heart
, must have voice in the choice of a
, wife or husband. II there be not fun
, damental unity, in tradition, religion
! and taste. how can a happy home re-
4 suit ? - Thoughtless, marriage leads to
. woes undreamed of. Abraham was
right ini desiring a wife of his own
blood and faith tor his son.
cWar Brides and Others.
. IS there any relationship of life
! that escapes the transforming; touch
t of this wars While it does not ap-
I pear often on the surface, yet the
, entire subject of women's sphere and
> place in a recognized scheme of so
, ciety is being profoundly affected. The
! relation between the sexes has become
also new theme of interest. War
brides" figure with display headings
! in the daily press. By way of Rebekah
. the bride, suppose we face for a mo-
y Iment the issue, especially in it's relig-
= ioUs implications. ~
Two currents are. discernible. First
/ and overwhelmingly, womanhood in
: all the lands at war has risen to new
/ heights of service and sacrifice and
y idealism. What used to be called ''the
: woman movement" now seems rather
9 trivial and academic, as compared
: with the comprehensive liberation OF
women's interests and activities ef-
lfected by the war. With courage and
rexourcefulness and efficiency, WON en-
high and low have undertaken tasks
| formerly considered far outside the
scope of their powers. Space does not
permit one to tell of the wonderful
an Of he Of
: Salvation Army who have given a rare
field of ministry among the soldiers
and of the Red Cross and Y w. c. A
women who are serving France.
:. In the matter of the surrender OF
their loved ones, and OF bearing wars
| cross on their souls. and of working
with self-denial and tireless patriotism
| for our cause. the women have beer
the foremost figures in this struggle
for a new world order. Only God him
self, who gave his beloved Son to
r die nero's death, can understand
). what this war has cost the womanhooo
& of the world. Poets have tried to ex-
f press the burden of woman's prayer
n as in these lines. written by 'H. H. P. ;
/, for The New York Times:
e Help me, God, to keep before my, eye
n The larger vision OF this war: to be
e Inspired each day by noble thoughts tina
# Of Duty. Honor Country and of Thee,
: Who goes from me, to see his duty done
Help me to think of War as one vast Who'll
9 OF Human Effort, struggling toward thu
e Right
It Ever advancing nearer to the goal
IS OF Freedom from the Iron Rule of Might
:. Lest / forget, and in my sorrow see
u Only the face of him who goes from me.
II Let me remember on the fateful day
= When women send their sons across tn
- sea,
they say
s God bless and bring you safely back t.
- mel" - - - s-ss4es. y
!, Help me, o God. in that hlsck hour, ]. pray
- Lest forget to be as brave SIS they!
Shattering Ancient Integrities.
N There is a second current clearl.
= traceable in our time, especially IL