The Pleasantville press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1912-1929, 1924-06-21
Lesson for June %
REVIVAL UNDER EZRA AND NE.
HEMlAH

LESSON TEXT-Neh. Stills; 1915;
1881.
GOLDEN TExT-"Return unto me.
and ! will return unto you, saith the
Lord of hosts."-Mal. 81.
PRIMARY ToPIC-Learning From
Gods Word.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-The Value of Bible Study.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-The Bible in the Life of a Nation.
The lesson committee has desig-
mated this as reforms, but ii was more
than reform. II was a revival. II re-
quires the q~uiekening of Gods spirit
TO induce men. especially a whole ma
ton. to turn to God from their sins.
This is a fine illustration of the right
ful place Of Gods word in the life Of
a nation.
l.. The Word Of God Being Read
fNeh. s.1-3).
/. The Eager Assembly ". y. The
people gathered themselves together
and spake unto Ezra to bring the
book of the law. The people with
y%earning hearts requested the reading
of Gods Word.
> \ Representative Assembly ".
y. It was made up of men. women
and children. The men did not leave
the sgEitual affairs to the women,
neIIAeF wsfe the chndrel Tsffeafn0nN
3. An Appreciative Assembly ". 81.
So eager were they to know Gods
Word that they did not get tired. al
though the lessons lasted for five or
six hours. Their ears were attentive
from morning until midday.
II. The Peoples Attitude Toward
Gods Word (Neh. $40.
l. Reverence Shown Gods Word
wv. 4, 81. When Ezra opened the
Law, all the people stood up out of
respect for Gods Word.
.. They Joined Heartily in the
Prayer. As Ezra led them in prayer
they Joined heartily in saying, amen,
Amen" bowling their faces TO the
ground.
III. Gods Word Being Interpreted
(Neh. 81, s.
The attitude of the people toward
Gods Word largely depends upon the
minister.
/. He Stood Up Where the People
Could See Him. ". 81.
.. He Read Distinctly ". 81. Much
Bible reading is greatly TO the dis
credit of the Word and the reader.
8. Caused the People 10 Understand
the Reading ". 81. The supreme bust
ness of the minister and teacher is TO
make the Word of God so plain that
all-old and young-can understand.
". The Effect Of Applying Gods
Word to National Life (Neh. S:9-1S).
/. Conviction of Sin ". 81. The
Word of God is quick and powerful
Heb. 4:12). II brings conviction of
sin Acts 2:3O. Gods method of con
vietlng men Of sin is 10 have His
Word applied by the Holy Ghost.
. Weeping Turned Into Joy wv.
10-12). When sins have been per-
eelved and confessed God would not
have His children to be sad. Con
tinued mourning will not atone for the
sins thar are past. It units ne Tor
present tasks and dishonors a pardon
Ing God.
3. They Shared Their Blessings
With Others wv. 1O-12). True Joy
manifests itself in giving TO others
4 The People Obeyed wv. 1915.
In their acquaintance with the Scrip
lures they found that the Feast of the
T~abernacles had been long neglected.
They went 70 work and kept this So
cred feast IN a way that it had nos
been kept since the days o. Joshua
q. II.
3. Separation From the Ungodly
tNeh. 13 :1-3). AS soon as they had
heard the Word of God, they sepa-
rated themselves from the mixed null
titude.
6. The House Of Worship Was
Cleared and Order Restored CNeh.
13:4-14). No nation can be strong
which negleets its worship of the true
God.