The Republican., 1922-01-26
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

SUNDAY, JANUARY 90.
ELIJAH IN NABOTH'S VINEYARD
l Kings 81. Read 20 also.
Be sure your sin will find you out
Mum. 1928.
THE GOOD CITIZEN.
Naboth was one of the honest, reli-
able men of Jezreel; property owner
and taxpayer. His family dated to
the EXODUS" and his estate to the
conquest Thrifty and industri-
Gus, he had made his vineyard one of
the best and the marble pile of the
palace nearby had greatly increased
its value. He was a loyal member of
the church, but took no interest in the
city affairs else he would have been
among the Elders of it. He was re-
joicing in the new impetus given to
Jehovah worship as seen in the sup
port of the prophetic party and the
group of prophets. that gathered
about the King and he was Indifferent
to all outside the church and his vine
yard. He was typical good citizen.
Ahab was enlarging the palace
grounds and making them into park
of beauty for the setting of his new
home. He came to Naboth with
good business proposition of purchase
or trade. But the owner had religi-
lous scruples. The law declared the
land inalienable Gev. 25:23-34) and
he would follow that rather than the
cash that he might have bargained
out of the Kings desire, for he could
have gotten whatever he asked.
Didn't the people pay the bill? God
was more to the old vine-dresser than
gold "The Lord forbid that should
give the inheritance of my fathers
unto thee" Courteously, but with alb
solute finanility he bowed the King to
the chariot and thot the matter was
closed. Such is the blunder of the
man who knows God but not politics;
who thinks because he obeys the law
that when the 18th Amendment is
written in that is the end of the mat
That he dwells safely in our land is
due to the long line of Elijahs that
are more numerou stoday than in the
time of Ahab.
THE SPREE OF POWER.
Power too often INDUCES in hootch
that the tenth commandment made H.
legal long since. The Kaiser, the
profiteer and boss, many a big nation
and many a big business man may be
listed in the same catalogue. Ahab
worshipped policy whether named Je-
hovah or Baal, and in the palace Jez-
ebel was his Ireland and believed in
home rule. The king was seeking
the welfare of the state and in many
ways advanced her well-being He
wished to make a city-beautiful which
was commendable, but it was "MY"
plans that were to be carried through
if a hole in the old law could be
found. Conscience was an inconven-
lent appendix in his moral nature. an
organ that no longer functioned Jez-
ebel proceeded to remove it altogether
promising a painless operation. Jez-
ebel had never had one being born 2
typical boss. "Who's running this
country, anyway? Who's the King?
1t has a familiar ring in industrial
and political parlance. Her desire was
highest than any law in heaven or
earth, and the people had no rights
that need be respected, for they were
merely the means by which she ruled.
Naboth had committed the greatest
crime in her catalogue-he had dared
to oppose the will of the strong and
be an independent. Let him look out
for himself then. Has big business
and big politics ever said the same?
She suddenly grew gravely concerned
over the Jehovistic laws and their
keeping. There had been sin some
where and only the complete repent
ance of the community could efface
1t. Certainly if these fanatics wanted
law they should have it and the Queen
chuckled over the bloody business as
she thought of the surprise in store
for the "innocents." Power had gone
mad.
TOOLS INSTEAD OF MEN.
Heads are only valuable on shoul.
ders, and the grave elders of Jezreel
gazed into each others faces in
speechless horror as they read the
order for murder in their own city.
They all knew Naboth. He was one
of the most respected and honest citi-
zens, but he had no vote and they
needed their own heads. If Jezebel
would plan such thing for such a
man what might they expect if they
opposed her will? Better that he die
than all of them. They were a group
OF corrupt towards. The real ring
was not on the Queens finger, but in
the city administration of Jezreel. How
L