The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-10-10
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
Especially Prepared For Readers Of
The Republican.

H1OI oil anu Luz. dcucSlS 1O.O- IL IA III TO-
Read 12:10-14:24.
A friend loveth at all times; And brother
is born for adversely. Proverbs 1917.
U. S. WRIGHT.
THE LOST ALTAR.
Affairs multiplied across the hills of
Palestine and Abram moved steadily
southwark until he reached the waterless
section and his flocks grew thin. Beyond
he heard of abundance in Egypt and
thither the trail led. A civilization as
high as any he had known was all
about him. Grass covered the valley of
the Nile and courteous reception was
given the wandering clan. But deadly
fear replaced the faith that had glowed
in the heart of the Pioneer; his life
must be preserved if the promises were
to become effective. One would think
his previous experience would have
sent him hurrying to Jehovah but no
altar was bullded here. He must shift
for himself and trust in his own shrewd-
ness to get him successfully out of the
place of plenty. Jehovah would have
been rather an incumbrance under the
circumstances. He must have originat-
ed the definition of a lie given by a
Sunday school scholar. "a lie is an
abominstion before the Lord and a
very present help in trouble" He
would try the lie and let the altar go.
And such a despicable one it was.
Sarah had given her all that she might
accompany him in his perilous chase
after his ideals and now she was told to
pass herself off as not his wife Yet her
love did not fail but what desperate
drop her hero must have taken. Was
this the man for whom she had ad-
yentured her all? She carried her part
to the limit of another's harem and one
can imagine Abrams feelings over the
course things were taking. Small
wonder he built no altar! Then the
altarless Jehovah STEPPED in just as He
is always doing to save US from our
own folly and the truth was told, the
breach was mended and the party took
the long trail up the hills to the old
altar place. 1t is always uphill from sin
to righteousness but they plodded on
until Bethel was reached and the old
fire lighted where it had been started
in the beginning of the advance. Once
more Abram had found God and in do
ing so had found his own best self.
THE WEALTH OF THE HILLS.
Lot was becoming dissatisfied for
there was continuous pickering be-
tween the herders of the two oyer the
waterholes and feeding grounds. Abram
brought the matter into the light. And
he does not confne the difference to the
herders SO there must have been a bit
of rawness to their own relationship.
Abram had come back to his possession
of God and nothing else mattered.
Having Him he had limitless wealth and
grass or water or fiocks mattered not
at ALL Conscious of God he could afford
to be generous. Then he may haye
felt some responsibility for Lots spirit
for he himself had taken him away
from the altar and had exhibited the
crassest selfishness in Egypt. True he
had brought him back to the place but
Egypt was still in Lots heart. Man may
repair his own soul but is powerless to
undo the damage wrought in another's.
He went the limit to change Lot but
Egypt was still in his veins and when
the choice was offered the valley choice
was made. He would go down and
leave the altar ''Hadn Abram rpofit-
ed by doing it before and the altar was
there for return if he felt the need at
any time. 1t was all right for Uncle
Abram to preach after he had gotten
the goods and he would follow his
example" So he probably thought
and grabbed the vale of Jordan before
the other might change his mind. But
Ehpl an ASIh iiNi Will LIldL Olu
altar to have given half the hills as well.
Only that man is poor who must depend
upon things as possession and Lot was
a yeritable beggar in rags if he could
have but realized it.
THE FIGHTING SAINT.
War broke into the peace of Palestine.
1t was not new thing for it was then
as now highway between continents.
1t lay at the junction point for Egypt,
Mesopotamia and the Hittite empire of
Asia Minor and any disturbance took on
a world character for the possessor of
that little patch held the gate that
swung toward world power. So out of
the East came the sudde -ruption of
soldiery and the roads ing along the
Jordan and thru the rich valleys were
over-run. Lot paid the price for his
proximity to world paths and was swept
into captivity much as Belgium has
been. A weary runner fell painting in
to the tent of Abram and reported the
disaster. There was a sudden call to
arms. Desiring no quarrel. All the
clan was mustered and the invaders