September, 1936
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and many people see no reason for its per manence. With Jesus Christ, however, this was not so. His conception of marriage is the highest ever given to the world. He impressed upon His disciples the fact that marriage is a spiritual unity in which two people are not only linked to each other, but linked with God. According to the teaching of Jesus, only death and the moral and spiritual compulsions o f Christ’s kingdom can honorably terminate the obli gations of the family. Sin, in extreme in stances, may sever the marriage relation ship. But divorce, even for such a cause, is a thwarting o f the highest purposes of the family, and involves certain obliga tions not to remarry.— S elected . OCTOBER 25, 1936 THE GAMBLING MENACE J erem iah 17:9-ll Meditation on the Lesson Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, spoke the words of our text by inspiration of God, and every thinking person realizes how exceedingly true they are. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desper ately wicked: who can know it ?’’ What man is there who knows his own heart? Apart from the grace of God, the human heart is “desperately wicked” ; therefore the committing of any sin is possible. . Even the born-again child of God sees unprobed depths of sinful thought within his heart. Then we cry out with the sweet singer of Israel: “ Search me, O God, and know my heart : try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way ever lasting” (Psa. 139:23). How unspeakable' the joy of knowing Jesus Christ as the One who forgives and guides! The wise man o f Proverbs has en joined : “ Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out o f it are the issues of life” (Prov. 4:23). However, as we realize our own weakness more and more, we are humbled and contrite, and we meekly, earnestly pray: “Create in me a clean heart, O G od; and renew a right spirit within me” (Psa. 51:10). The Psalmist says: “ The sacri fices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psa. 51:17). Verse 11 in our lesson, in speaking of a “partridge that sitteth on eggs which she hath not laid” (R. V .), alludes to an an cient belief that the partridge stole the eggs o f other birds and hatched them as her own, and that the young birds when grown left her for the true mother. Surely this is a fine parallel to men and women whose deceitful hearts betray them into trusting in ill-gotten gains, only to lose them in the end. The gambler never can rest in satisfied enjoyment of his accomplishment, for he does not know true joy. He experiences thrills and excitement, perhaps, but real peace and happiness are not his. The sense of guilt and judgment is always hanging ominously over him. Trust in the Lord is foreign to him. He trusts in his own arm of flesh, and these riches which he has gained “not by right; in the midst of his days they shall leave him, and at his end he shall be a fool” (R. V .). It is a story of tragedy and failure that would be un necessary if hearts were yielded to the Saviour o f men. Helps for the Leader I. B ondage Hogarth has a picture which he calls
OF SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSONS The approval of so large a Bible-loving constituency has justified this enter prise and explains its remarkable growth. All Bible Graded Series has not been prepared for profit but to provide more Bible in the Bible school. The Work of Exceptional Writers y ALL BIBLE GRADED BY DEPARTMENTS
These lessons have been prepared by a staff of writers possessing unusual teach ing ability and experience, and having special training in curriculum making un der the instruction of Rev. Clarence H. Benson, director of the Christian Educa tion Course of the Moody Bible Institute. New and higher records of Bible mastery, ac ceptance of Christ, and regularity in attendance attained by the use of these inspiring lessons. Oct.-Nov.-Dec. manuals now ready. Teachers’ Manual, each Dept. 25c; Pupils’ Manual, 10c. Pastors, superintendents and teachers—write to day for new Compendium of 624 lessons. En close 10c for mailing. Indicate department (s) and we will send FREE sample manuals. THE SCRIPTURE PRESS 800 N. Clark S t.f Dept. k . b . Chicago, III. “The Gaming House.” He has drawn a company o f men around the gaming table, lost to all sense and sound through their absorption in the chance of the dice. Some are wrapped up in their gratification of their gains. Others are cast in despair at their losses. But the house is on fire. The flames are breaking through the roof. The night watchman has burst in and is calling aloud to the gamblers to escape for their lives. But they are so intent on the fortune o f the game that they neither hear nor heed.—A. M. C low . II. G etting S omething for N othing Young people today live in an atmos phere o f “take a chance” . . . The essence of gambling is “getting something for nothing.” In any gambling device it is impossible that every one should win. There are always winners and there are always losers. But every loser hopes he shall -get back more than he has put in. Gambling and the ethics of Christ do not mix. The whole o f Scripture is against it, great bodies o f devout believers oppose it, and none but those whose religion is a cloak for their sins, or who have no reli gion at all, will befriend it .—A Year of Meetings, published by the International Society of Christian Endeavor.
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