Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-13
Sunday School Lesson
Rev. Hugh T. Stevenson.

had been accustomed to rely upon the
natural resources of the country, nour-
tslled by the rivers and streams That
gushed from valley and hill, were re-
duced to the dire extremities OF famine.
The vines on the terraced hills were
withered. the cornfieids were covered
with stubble and the pasture lands were
yellow and scorched. The very dew
seemed to have forsaken the land; where
the river had poured its fun tide there
was only trucking drops"
Facing such q condition, the prophet
fervently prayed, as q priest, acknoWl-
edging the nations tranSgressions and
pleading for mercy and pardon. 1t
was then that the Lord spoke to the
prophet and told him that his work at
that moment was not that OF an inter-
ceding priest, but reformer who must
turn the searchlight upon the hearts of
the people SO that they could see that
beneath the appearance Of religious
worship there existed sins that had to
be corrected. He acknowledged the fact
with the lament of true shepherd of
the nations souls, pleading that 1t was
not their fault but that of their leaders.
Gods answer showed the prophet the
necessity Of men returning in deep
penitence and consecrating themselves
thoroughly, not specifically, to His
service If they expected to obtain par
don. His communion with Jehovah
of personal and individual religion as
the only way out It Is ours at this mo-
ment. In place Of depending upon ma
terial prosperity, there must be q deep
ing of our spiritual fellowship with God
by entering into q new covenant with
Him. The prophet saw the nation driven
into exile brought back and that the
peoples faith in God would not be de-
stroyed. The personal relation between
sustain them in their trials and help
them to win amidst dfficulties.
Individual Responsibility.
In many q dark hour jeremiah
learned the lessons that he taught his
fellow countrymen. When the people,
priests and prophets Clamored for his
blood he found the value Of his per-
sonal religion in: fellowship with God.
When his enemies succeeded IN per-
suading the King to place him In q
loathsome dungeon, sinking In the n1ire,
Jehovah did not desert His servant.
He filled the heart Of Negro with q
sense of his duty. He was o true friend
and Influenced the King to permit him
to save the life Of the prophet. Armed
with regal authority, he succeeded In
pulling him out OF the pit where the
prophets life was in danger. When we
have opportunity to extend q friendly
act to those who are in trouble we
should respond and extend the assist
ance as far as we are able to do so.
A grip Of the hand may help one to
repent and be saved. A smile has won
family for the Lord Jesus.
Although jeremiah had an oppor-
tunity to hold high place with the
conquerors of his nation, he declined.
He had a patriots heart, so he shared
the trials, testings and trouble of his
fellow countrymen, seeking to inspire
their faith In Gods love and willingness
to pardon them individually If they
would repent and dedicate their Hives
to Him. We have become familiar with
the truth that jeremiah taught, but
even in our day we may forget that
each one Of us shall give an account
of himself to God" not only for what
We do but also for what we neglect to
do for His glory.