found, full of instruction. 1. Judah had these advantages: (1) with- in her borders stood the-Sactuary, the only authorized place of worship in the land. (2) The pius and theocratic spirits were there- fore drawn thither; among these conspicu- ous and influential were the priests and I.evites. (3) One dynasty, in whose veins flowed the blood of the devout herorKing David, held the throne. (4) The ancient traditions and Messianic hopes centered in Judah and the house of David. -(5) Judèa was bounded on its several sides by sea, desert, wilderness, and its own bordering cuffs. 2. Israel was wanting in these vital ad- vantages: (1) Idolatry was established in the beginning. (2) Rival claimants quar- reled for the rule, and non-theocratic kings succeeded to the throne. (3) The ministers of religion unauthorized by Mosaic la,w, un- attached and disloyal to the priestly order and traditions, serving images and false gods; led the people further and further astray. (4) The best of the people had mi- grated to Judea. (5) Their opportunity in the ministry, instruction, and mighty works, of their 'great prophets Elijah and > Elisha, was disregarded, and they sunk lower and lower in moral degradation.
versified demonstration, and is, as we have Tjfcith the pagan powers of the world, cfe- menting these alliances by marriage with a multitude of princes and noble women. These vhe permitted to bring their pagan chap- lains or priests, and to erect shrines to, and practice the rites 'of, their idolatrous gods. j&U this was in express violation of the code (Deut. 17:17). Hence the disintegration of the empire set in before the death of the ••Great. King. Revolt after revolt cut off the borders of his realm. Here we reach the groftnd covered by our late Course of les- sens. • II. Under Rehoboa'm the son of Solomon The northern tribes 'seceded and set up Jero- "boam the son of Nebat as King. The cli- max of national glory had been reached oinder Solomon. Jehovah had been better Ahan His promises. The people had never kept their part of the covenant yet God had .accepted their imperfect service, having : compassion on their infirmities, and "crown- ing them with glory .and honor." But they trespassed on His mercy. The experiment faas a clear failure. Man being in honor continueth not (Psa. 49:12). Flesh and blood yeannot achieve , nor .inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor. 15:50). - The prolonging of the Kingdoms was only for fuller and more di- T imely Topics for • The disciples returned to their Lord with provisions and begged Him to eat. They were surprised to find Him already refreshed r with food. A new lesson awaited them. "The Will of the Father." Here was the secret of that wonderful life of out Lord. t "Man was not to live by bread alone," Luke 4:4. It takes more than bread and meat to sustain a life. Jesus had been weary, hungry and tired. He had won a soul, had set a captive free, had started a fountain ^bubbling with living water, vs. 14, had erected a temple for the worship of God, vs. 23. His soul was rejoicing and His phys- • ical being refreshed. Psa. 63:», Acts 20:35, It is blessed to realize the life-giving power accorded a surrendered soul; Doing His will, * seeking the lost, pouring our own lives in fverifies ^ a n d service for others brings strength to our weary bodies and joy to our souls. An Invitation to Service; See how naturally the Lord turns to teach the great lesson of= giving the gospel. He wants His followers to have fellowship with Him in this soul-satisfying service. In re- sponse to the words of the woman, the people of the city are already coming out to 'see the man who had told her all things which she had ever done, Vs. 29, 30, and as the eyes of the Master rested upon them He
Young People's Meetings By. T. C. Horton Lesson X—March 5 WHITE FIELDS. Jno. 4:31-39.
said; "Lift up your eyes." They: were Jews, with intense prejudices against the Samari- tans. He wants t'hem to'have a wider range of vision. Many people, are circumscribed in vision. , They see only their own parish, their own denomination, their own country. The Lord would have us ljft up our eVes to see the larger fields. Look, see the fields. Study them. Look long enough to know their need. . See then* in sin and suffering, in darkness and death. See until the Spirit shall soften t"he heart and tender t h e ' s ym- pathies and send you forth to minister the gifts, of grace. .- , . ? , An Incentive to Service.; The Lord pays good wages for work. "He that reapeth recelveth wages." Not only does the servant share wijth his Master in* the joy of the harvest here, Luke 15:10, but he gathers fruit for eternity, 1 Cor. 9:-9, 13; Phil. 2:15, 16; 1 Thess. 2:19. There will ! be great difference between the saints in the next world. Your fruit will remain. Jno. 16:16, \ | H An Inspiration for Service. The fields are white already to Harvest. The largest opportunities are when the fields are whitest. There never, were so many fields, nor so large as now- Millions in multitude await the reapers. The soul must be .sordid indeed, that is not moved by this invitation, t h at does not re- spond to the call of Such, a Christ as oyrs. Good fields, good fellowship, gathered fruit, harvest home, rejoicing reapers.
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