The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1927-07-07
Improved Uniform international
Si11nldaySc1loo1
' Lesson '
(By REV. p. B. FITZwATER, DID,. Deans
Moody Bible Institute Of Chicago.)
TO- 1927. Western Newspaper Union.)
Lesson for July 10
SAMUEL'S FAREWELL

LESSON TEXT Samuel, Chap. II.
GOLDEN TEXT-Thy loving kind
ness is before mine eyes and I have
walked in Thy truth.
PRIMARY TOPIC - Samuel the
Faithful Servant.
JUNIOR TOPIC-An Old Mans Ad-
vice.
INTERMEDIARY AND SENIOR TOP
IC-How to Make a Clean Record.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
IC-Righteousness in Public Life.
Samuel means "asked of God"
God gave him in answer to his moth
er's prayer. She promised to give
him back to God In his early child
hood his mother cared for and taught
him. At an early age she handed him
over to the care of Eli to minister
unto the Lord in the Tabernacle.
While he was thus engaged God called
him. He responded to this call and
spent a long life in useful service to
God and his nation as Judge and
prophet. Our lesson today is his fare
well address.
!. samuel's Challenge to the People
wv. 1-5).
L Reminder of the way the king
had been given ". ~.
He showed that they were directly
responsible for the change in gov
eminent. Though keenly feeling the
reflection upon himself, and their In
gratitude to God in their demand for
king, he had not resisted their
wish.
2. Review of his own administra-
ton wv. 2, 81.
(D Walk from childhood ". p.
Samuel's was remarkable life; from
childhood to old age he had lived an
upright and pure life. (2) Career as
judge and ruler ". 81. He boldly chal-
lenged them to show where and how
he had even in the smallest matters
defrauded or oppressed anyone.
8. The vote of confidence by the
people wv. 4, 81.
1t was Samuel's right as he laid
down the reins Of government to have
his record indicated and to have hfs
AhICShity UCtOuu q uOuDSv
so that no evil-minded man could ever
be able to cast reproach upon him.
II. Samuel Reviews Gods Dealing
From the Time Of Moses wv. 6-15).
He reasoned with them concerning
the good hand of the Lord upon them
from the time Of Moses. Though they
with ingratitude turned from the Lord
and demanded a king like the other
nations, He had acceded to their re-
quest and set king over them.
1. National prosperity conditioned
by obedience ". 14).
Though they had displeased God in
choosing king, If they would fear
the Lord and render obedience, ma.
tional prosperity would still be given.
Would that the nations today could
see that obedience to God is the only
way to prosperity! Nations should
find out Gods will and then bring
themselves into harmony Herewith.
Gods law must be obeyed by the rul-
ers as well as the subjects.
2. Disobedience to God meant the
nations ruin ". 15).
1t is folly to ask Gods blessing upon
a nation while 1t is living in rebellion
against Him. True craftsmanship IS
to find out Gods will concerning the
nation and so direct that In all its
laws and customs there may be har-
mony with that will.
III. Samuel's Own Indication wv.
1919.
This was such a critical hour In the
history of the nation that Samuel
sought to indelibly impress it's mean
ing on their hearts. This he did by
means of the thunder and rain out
of season. Harvest time was not
the season for thunder and rain, so
when it came at the call Of Samuel
the people were affrighted. They saw
1t as an example of Gods mighty
power which, If directed against them,
would destroy them in an instant.
w. Samueps Gracious Response
wv. 20-25).
1. "Fear not-serve the Lord with
all your heart" wv. 20-22).
Samuel did not minimize their sin,
but assured them that If they would
serve the Lord intellectually He
would not forsake them. The ground
of their hope was in the faithfulness
Of God in keeping His covenant. "For
His names sake' shows that Gods
honor is at stake.
"God forbid that I should sin
against the Lord in ceasing to pray
for you" ". 23). Though the people
had rejected Samuel, yet he had such
magnanimity Of soul that he has not
allowed their ingratitude to stop his
intercession for them. Such failure
he regarded as sin for himself. He as.
sured them that in spite of their sin
their one concern should be to fear
the Lord and serve Him wholeheart-