The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1926-05-13
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON


Prepared Especially For The Repub-
leans Readers by Rev. U. S.
Wright ID.
SUNDAY, MAY 1926.
ABRAHAM AND THE
STRANGERS.
Genesis IS.
All the nations of the earth shall be
blessed in him.-Gen. 1918.
THE FOURTH GRACE
Three graces are well known, for
Faith, Hope and Charity have been
long in the world. There is fourth
no less charming than any one of
these and that is the grace of Hospi-
tally. With all our advance in mater
ials with which the life may be en-
riched, is there a lessening of the
fine courtesy for which many home
was known in other days? Do We
share our life as readily as of yore?
Is the routine of the home so planned
that guest may be welcomed with
out Earring the whole machine? That
old skin tent was the home of the
fourth grace, for it is not upon the
richness of the house that her pres
ence depends. She lives in cabin, cot
tage or court if heartily welcomed,
and she and Abraham were on the
best of terms.
After his experience in battle there
may have been some reason for Gods
assurance that 81 am thy shield and
thy exceeding great reward" He had
surrendered all claim to the booty and
had created enemies by his activities
so Jehovah lifted above him the Pres
ence that both secures and enriches
the believer in the promise. The
stormy days of Ishmael and Hagar
had passed, the covenant of circum-
sision had beer entered into and Abra-
hams circle of tents that housed by
this time a couple of thousand folks
were IN the noon-time hush that set
ties over an encampment during the
heat of the day. But not all was still
ness. Over the plain strobe three fig
ures. There was evidently some ur-
gent need that brought them out at
this hour; walking, too, instead of be-
ing upon some steed. Abraham came
out of his doze with jerk. With not
a moments delay this old man was
running across the grass to meet
them. There was no sending servant,
there was no hint of dignity that
might be damaged by the race to re-
lleve whatever it might be that forced
the travel in the heat. That kindly
heart would serve with no interview
ton of another. Like that other char
acter who chad teapot in her soul".
so this was possessor of the fourth
grace. Such an one is sure of angel
visits. Even if the form be human.
be that of pain, or sorrow, or tears, it
may become a messenger of God to us
II the fourth grace keeps company
with US. All the hospitality of the tent
was shared and apparently two hur-
ried ahead toward Sodom while one
remained to bring the richness of his
company to the almoner of the tent
and to leave with its owner gifts pass
ing the wealth of kings.
THE GIFT OF LIFE
New life always comes with the
visitor in any home. But there was a
deeper hunger under the old tent than
exists under many a modern roof
they were eager for an heir. Eleazer
had held the place until the birth of
Hager's boy, but within their hearts
was the passion for their own. That
little child that lives only in the house
of dreams is the constant comrade of
the heart. st. Francis slipped from
the monastery one winter night and
fashloned with his deft fingers the
form of beautiful woman and a
group of fair children. Putting them
IN circle he sat there giving free
rein to his fancy of the home that
would never be. Finally he arose and
Kissed each one tenderly, then re-
signed the hope forever as he turned
to the road in which the church was
10 be his only bride. And the prom
Use to Abraham was the satisfying of
MS desire for the reality of his dream.
From the tent came chuckle of
laughter in which surprise, increduI-
lty and happiness were mingled. Could
even this visitor bring new life to the
tent +? But it was true and "Laughter'
was taken as the name the child
should bear and the trail of joy ran
thru all their later years.
THE GIFT OF KNOWLEDGE
The rarest knowing comes from
contact with people. AS these figures
walked across the sloping sward to-
ward the cash of the Jordan and the
sea they reached the place where
something of the outlines of the cities
OF the plain could be seen. There had
been no explanation Of what had driv-
en- these travellers out into the heat
but now there was to come the com