everything is idolatrous which comes .between God and man,—temples religious rites, ceremonies, good works and gifts, are all an abomina- tion uirt© the Lord God, unless they have for their center Jesus Christ crucified, risen, glorified and coming. All systems are idolatrous which fail to magnify His Christ and His" Word. "Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; Fear before Him all the earth." Psa. 96: 9.
LESSON FOR J
VNUARY 15, 1910. late this young king in the irrepressible conflict for righteousness. IV. THE FORTIFICATION OF THE LAND. Asa, too, could do things. Like Jero- boam he strengthened his defences. " T r u st in the Lord and keep your powder d r y . " Jeroboam did the latter, Asa both. He, too, built, but he built on the Rock of Ages. Faith and works are two hands and we should lay of God with both. He built promptly while the land is yet before u s . " " I n time of peace he prepared for w a r . " We should f o r t i fy our souls against the-' evil day. V. THE BEATIFICATION OF THE LAND. They sought the Lord and He gave them rest. They dwelt in peace and prospered. The same course would beatify any land. " M e n forsake their own mercies." It is as clear to all as sunshine, that national obedience to the laws of God, strict righteousness, and the square deal, in all departments of public and privatte life, would guarantee temporal prosperity, almost eliminate crime and poverty. But what if Chris- tian grace, and purity ruled in the heart? Nothing ife stronger proof of in- veterate and universal depravity among unregenerate men than their rejection of God's conditions of properity. VI. THE ENUMERATION OF THE HOST. Five hundred and eighty thousand valiant men rallied round trh* throne of- this pious monarch, with " t a r g e t s ," talj shields, " s h i e l d s ," smaller ones, " s p e a r s ." and " b o w s . " Benjamin, in' whose portion Jerusalem portly stood
The Acts of Asa. I I Chro. 15:1-15. Bead 14:1-15. I. THE INAUGURATION OF ASA. Rehoboam, Abijah, and now Asa reigned in Judah. Reared in a corrupt court, ruled by Maachah, a miserable idolatress devoted to vile religious rites and symbols, Asa proved, notwith- standing, a devout and energetic serv- ant of the Lord. It is a great praise to any youth that he remains pure and true in a profligate and immoral en- vironment; how more so when in a pub- lic position he takes an uncompromising stand against the corruptions of poli- tics, society, and religion, with a full consecration to his God. II. THE CHARACTERIZATION OF ASA. " H e did good and r i g h t ." These the crown jewels of princes, are true graces of true men. Not the victories, not the conquests, not the state, not the "suc- cesses" of a prince; not athletics, not scholarship, not the popularity of a youth, but benevolence and righteous- ness are glorious. III. THE PURIFICATION OF THE LAND. Pagan sanctuaries and their vile sym- bols Asa abolished, before the sight of Him " w h o is of too.pure eyes to be- held iniquity.". Similar orgies not in the name of religion are going on around us. Our government is not ab- solute, but could do much, and will be responsible for net doing,, to, do away with the abominations of the saloon,, the lewd play, the obseene print, the brothel. But individuals, especially Christians, young and old, should emu-"
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