rr Se ee aE A ae ee Oe hap aha he ee Oe a oe $i See e ee eee ata Se ore roe AS ; Re eee itenet etek Rene et area ee ae ss - AR Ter Statice: me ate a) CA Se ee irs Ce ares arr Wore SMS Mees Fi elas tele — a a se = 74 eee ace BR EET Se eet ne = Set haetes Se ee a . kA Re ee eet te be : hb —~ Ce ee ee Wer hee bie . ‘ P a : ‘ rl ‘. OC! 31 1995 oy 4, Hacieay sew BV O83 S07 8e 1 924 Trout, Ethel Wendell, 1878- 12} Raye The rise and fall of the Hebrew nation | Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2022 with funding from Princeton Theological Seminary Library https://archive.org/details/risefallofhebrewOOtrou The Rise and F ie of, the, Hebrew Nation — Ria Junior Department, Third Year By ETHEL WENDELL’ TROUT / | The a eae Textbooks of Religious Education For Church Schools Having Sunday, Week Day, and Expressional Sessions Edited by JOHN T. FARIS, D.D. TEACHER’S EDITION Philadelphia The Westminster Press 1924. Copyright, 1924 By F. M. BRASELMAN Preface The Westminster Textbooks of Religious Education are planned to meet the needs of churches seeking to unify their educational program. The informational, de- votional, and expressional phases of religious education have been, heretofore, to a large extent independent of one another. This lack of correlation has been detri- mental to educational efficiency. Time and effort have been lost through duplication. Valuable information has failed to register itself in conduct because of the lack of suitable opportunities for expression. Many of our churches have been feeling their way toward better edu- cational standards. It is in response to the requests and needs of these churches that the series of lessons has been undertaken. These textbooks are planned for church schools having a Week Day Session, a Sunday Session, and an Expres- sional Session meeting either on Sunday or on a week day. An absolute differentiation of the three phases of the educative process is neither possible nor desirable. The lessons are so arranged, however, that the Week Day Session is mainly informational, the Sunday Session more largely devotional, and the third session of the week largely expressional. Since the course is a unity, it is not necessarily confined to the plan suggested. It would be equally suited to a week-day church-school system having three sessions a week and unrelated to the Sunday-school program of the community. The course could be adjusted to any local condition, provided the sequence of the lessons were maintained. Forty-two lessons of three sections each are provided for each grade, or year. It is thought that this will fur- nish material for a church-school program with three ses- sions per week throughout the public-school year. It is iii iv PREFACE also believed that many schools will find the material sufficient for the use of the Sunday Session during that part of the year when Week Day Sessions are discontin- ued. Much of this summer season might be spent in a rapid review of the work covered during the other part of the year. No exact adjustment to any particular cir- cumstances is attempted because of the fact that church schools differ widely in the matter of their summer ses- sions. Some are practically closed all summer; some con- tinue on as extensive a basis as during other parts of the year. The whole matter of adjustment is best left to the local church-school administration. If a church school practically closes at the beginning of summer, it would be well for the authorities of that school to plan for a completion of each year’s course at that time. If the school runs on through the summer with undiminished attendance, more time may be taken for the lessons, a part of each book being left for completion in the summer sessions. .Where this is done, the section intended for the week-day lesson may be taken on one Sunday of the sum- mer period, the Sunday lesson related to this week-day lesson for next Sunday, and the expressional lesson on a third Sunday. TABLE OF CONTENTS Pete LAC OMe ee rd RIS Pr ke aes ON GMa ab aie deb a hala a alelers CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER _ CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER ose etree eevee eee eee seo eer stereos eee oee oe @ Tur Unitrrp KINGDOM tf II, III. meL AS Samuel, the Righteous Judge....... SAO DOSECIILN ITO Tae ey eee ae aie THowetOeACceptiid ONOLS way =. vais cele Saul Winning a Kingdom......... Saul Losing His Kingdom......... Blaming Others for One’s Own HAtilts ontecen ve loko teee ces eee PhesAncesiry, of: Wavidmue... - ste. David Called to a Kingdom........ Preparing for the Future... 1.1... WIAVIURDELOLe Salle ee rei oe tet WavideandgaOliaticos sues cies Overcoming Difficulties ........... Davideriatedebys oaditlw.. foarte. The Friendship of David and Onatiall etc sea ao ete ncn ae Winning Our Enemies............. David Becomes an Exile........ ea Davidweoparesvoauls items. ce Loyalty to Public Officials..... bs tid David an Exile in a Strange Land. David Chasing the Amalekites..... Workingwd ogether’ 0s; ees The Death of Saul and Jonathan... David’s Lament for Saul and Jon- ALD ATTN e se alts Vite ete Forgiving Those Who Have Farmed: U Siac, scraps wees eee How David Became King of All Tsraeh yen: c cake eee ene ce cehes Bringing the Ark to Jerusalem..... Reverence for Sacred Things...... (Sod sHeromise ton David tan fest: How David Received God’s Com- TiAl Sens yee OL A ec ee eh How to Receive Disappointments. . Vv vi CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER TABLE OF CONTENTS XI. XII, XII, SV. XV. XVI. XVII, PAGE David’s Kindness to the Son of Jonathan Ce aoe us os ins «ae Nathan’s Parable of the Pet Lamb. 100 How’ to: Show Kindnesse:. «2 sewer 103 AbsalomVthe “Draitor?.7.0..2 see 106 The Defeat of Absalom............ 109 The Commandment with a Promise 112 David Makes Solomon King....... WES The Endiof aiGreat Lites. eee 118 David’s Advice to Solomon........ 120 Sdlomon’s Wise Choice............ 123 The Wisdom of Solomon.......... 127 Choosing they Bests... seca. seme 129 Solomon Builds the Temple........ 133 The Holy of sHoliesie) eee eee 137 The House of God—Our Church.. 140 The Temple Dedicated............ 143 ‘The Prayer’of Solomon... sene 145 Dedicating Ourselves to God....... 148 King Solomon in All His Glory... 150 The Visit of the Queen of Sheba... 153 How We Should Treat Foreigners. 155 THE DivipEp KiIncpom XVIII. XX, XXI. XXII. XXITI. Why the Kingdom Was Divided... 161 Rehoboam and His Rival Joroboam 164 Taking the Advice of Those Wiser than:Ourselves™. 305.2 2% see 166 The Northern Kingdom of Israel.. 169 King Ahab and the Prophet Elijah. 172 God’s Care for All Peoples......... 176 The Contest on Mount Carmel..... 180 Elijah -atebloreble is a hs ae ee 184 ‘Dhe'Stibeomallav oicevn.. eee ee 187 The Story of Naboth’s Vineyard... 190 One Prophet Against Four Hun- dred is te aes seh eiia tenia 193 Moral: Courage o, ou en ee eee 197 The Ending of Elijah’s Work..... 201 Elisha, the Prophet of Helpfulness. 206 How Little Deeds of Kindness Help 209 Elisha and the Shunammite Woman 212 Elisha Restoring a Child to Life... 215 Showing Gratitude to God and to OureNeighborasace wc sce alee 219 CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER TABLE OF CONTENTS vii XXIV. XXV. 2 OO b XXVIT, XXVIII. XXIX, XXX, ©, 0.4 F XXXII. XXXII. PAGE The Syrian General and the Little IV AIdMerte Sie ca rte eats 5 earl ate 222 Hlishawands Naamatieus ay sects 225 Enemies Who Became Friends..... 230 Elisha’s Heavenly Defenders....... 234 Returning, Good for Evil......;... 237 GOOSPEFOLECLING Careers. sue 240 The Great Famine in Samaria...... 244 Hlisha swisasts Messages... ac oe 247 The Value of Perseverance.. LA OK Northern Israel and the Prophets. 253 ites DOWN alleor -istacl 1.) ost ea 255 Messages of Amos and Hosea for RDO LAV are Mamta er UNS aie sates Seay ¢ 259 The Story of the Southern King- CONTE renee OBS hoc ke MEE ENO cles elt Ss 262 Joash, the Boy King of Israel...... 264 Willing Gifts for God’s House..... 268 Hezekiah Rebels Against Senna- CELI Dine Scena Se te eletme tans St 271 Hezekiah Heeds the Prophet’s Mes- SA POMS Mate alee tis wits sete ome ae ete ae 2/5 Taking Our Troubles to God...... 278 The Messages of the Prophets of AEG ENT AG di eR tol iat re Anta? 282 The Messages of Other Prophets.. 284 Teachings of the Prophets for Us TRUE ELA ten pr Ae eM ar ri ea iad Ba 287 Josiah Walks in David’s Ways.... 290 The Great Passover of Josiah...... 294 Cite Bible Ret ws cree eae te i ote 297 Jehoiakim Burns the Prophet’s HV] ESSAM EEE r. eee acct cahiemte bere 300 How the Bible Has Been Preserved TOLA CS Soi. ue ce ar SE es 304 Lovertor. God s) Wotd siete es cee: 310 ihe ast. Davs-o1 erusalenras ce 312 The. Captives: of (Babvionv.e.. .. 02% 315 The Lesson of Self-control........ 319 THE EXILE, AND AFTERWARDS XXXIV. XXXV, The Glories of Babylon............ 322 What the King’s Dream Meant.... 326 Loyaltyttousrad muestra the us 329 Pbhexorererote babylOile jan ate 332 The Handwriting on the Wall..... 334 Uriiem Pe AtriOtisiih vaer sires teri 337 Vili CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER CHAPTER TABLE OF CONTENTS XXXVI. XXXVII. XXXVITI. XXXIX. XL. XLI. ALi PAGE The New Rulers in Babylonia...... 342 Daniel Delivered from the Lion’s Dene isa tre ee eens ae 347 Standing Firm for the Right....... 349 Preparing for the Return from Bixile De oes oe oe gon The Return from the Exile........ 356 World: Brotherhood 72. > 2.3 358 Rebuilding the Temple............. 362 Encouraging the Builders.......... 365 Building for the Future........... 367 Planning the Second Return from Exiles, ies.cmioveate os tee a ee 371 The Arrival in Jerusalem.......... 373 Responsibility for the Possessions of “Others ae ee 376 Nehemiah Visits Jerusalem......... 379 Nehemiah Builds the Wall......... 382 Enthusiasm for, Our Tasks 207 eee 385 EzratLeaches the Lawe «40: eee 388 The Prophet Malachi... eee 391 Knowing God’s Law and Doing It. 393 The Story of the Maccabees....... 397 The Lifetof Faith)... 25% eee 401 SUGGESTIONS TO THE TEACHER In preparing to teach the lessons in this book, the teacher should, in the first place, read the selections from the Bible given at the beginning of each lesson. You should then read through the lesson, noting points which will be of interest to your particular class, and hunting up all information possible in your available reference books. Naturally the limits of space make it impossible to give everything that is given in larger books, which perhaps devote an entire volume to a subject here treated in only a few words. With each lesson you should try to find a tint of con- tact for your own class. The lessons are prepared with the thought of children nine, ten, and eleven years old, in mind, but if your class consists of nine-year-olds, or eleven-year-olds only, you will of course need slightly different treatment. Stories are suggested which the teacher may find of use in teaching the lesson. Often- times a modern missionary story will bring the lesson home to the class. The Week Day Session of the school is to be largely devoted to informational material. The Junior is at an age when his memory is keenly alert, and facts mastered now will become lifelong possessions. So, during this period, the geography and history of the Holy Land are given in brief form. Handwork, too, is useful for this session. Map-drawing is suggested; a map of plasticine may be completed during the sessions. A large black- board map of Palestine may be started, and filled in as the lessons progress. It will be well to have, also, a large wall map of Palestine to use in connection with the lessons. As the Week Day Session of the school is intended to appeal to the intellect, the Sunday Session is intended to appeal to the heart. ‘The week-day lesson is a back- ground of fact, on which the Sunday lesson is to be built. , " t , : cal k AY b i . r - 1 ; { , } ae THE UNITED KINGDOM " ohne Pa et Hr yee oe os a r ; \ y= ‘ ri i 1 ; fh hie ‘ ian * if ‘ 4 eam ly CHAPTER I WEEK DAY SESSION SAMUEL, THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGE I Samuel 4: 1-11; 5: 1-5; 6:1, 2; chapter 7 Tur Mrmory VERSE “ Hitherto hath Jehovah helped us.”—I Samuel 7: 12c. Tur Lesson Story The little lad Samuel grew up in the tabernacle. He learned there many lessons of wisdom, for again and again the Lord appeared to him and gave to him messages for the people. Gradually he succeeded old Eli in the leadership of Israel. About this time the Israelites, probably without asking the advice of Samuel, made an attack upon their old enemy, the Philistines. ‘They suffered a terrible defeat, for four thou- sand of their men were killed. The remainder of the army retreated to camp. ‘There they asked the advice of the elders as to what they should do. “ Why has the Lord allowed us to be defeated in this battle?’ the elders asked one another. “Perhaps it would be well for us to bring the Ark of the Covenant from the tabernacle at Shiloh, and take it into the battle with us.” Now the people probably remembered that their ancestors had followed the Ark through the Jordan; that when they followed it and encircled the walls of Jericho, those strong walls had fallen. Perhaps God wanted them to put the Ark in the forefront of the battle again. They hurried to Shiloh, and, without asking the advice of Samuel, they took the Ark out of the tabernacle to the camp. But this act displeased God. He did not give victory to the Israelites. ‘The Philistines fought harder than ever, and the Ark of God was captured! Hophni and Phinehas, the two sons of Eli, were killed, and when old Eli heard the 3 4 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS news, he fell backward and died. So God showed his dis- pleasure at the Israelites’ act in taking the Ark into battle. For seven months the Ark of the Covenant remained in the land of the Philistines. During all that time the Philis- tines suffered from various misfortunes. When they carried the Ark into the temple of their god, Dagon, the image fell upon its face and was broken. ‘Then a severe plague at- tacked them and many of them died. The country was over- run with mice. They determined that the Ark was the cause of their troubles, and decided to send it back to the people of Israel, with a present. A message was sent, and the men of Israel came to meet the men of the Philistines, and carried home the Ark. Once more the greatest treasure of the Israelites was in the homeland, in the city of Kiriath-jearim, where it remained for twenty years. Once more the people had learned the lesson that they should worship only the true God. So, when Samuel called them to a meeting at Mizpah, they came confessing their sins, and promising to serve God only. ‘There were many of them who gathered for this purpose. The Philistines, seeing the assemblage, feared that it meant war. They gathered to attack the Israelites. But Samuel prayed for help, and God heard his prayer and the prayers of the people. There was a great storm of thunder and lightning, and the Philistines fled. The Children of Israel followed and, with God’s help, won a great victory. In commemoration of this victory Samuel set up a great stone near Mizpah, a stone called ‘ Ebenezer,’ which means, “ Hitherto hath Jehovah helped us.” And as long as Samuel was judge, the Philistines did not come against Israel. They knew that they were powerless against> the Israelites when their God was fighting for them. As for Samuel, he continued his work as judge and prophet, going from one city of Israel to another, giving to the people the messages which God gave to him, and doing his duty in every way. HANDWORK At the very beginning of the lessons which you are to study this year, it will be well to know just as much as pos- JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 5 sible about the geography of Palestine. If you have kept in good order the relief map of Palestine which you made last year, review the main geographical features, and then try to put a map on the blackboard from memory, marking the mountains, seas, and lakes, and the River Jordan. If your class did not make a relief map before, try your hand it. The directions are given in the first-year book, page 95. NoteBook Work Get a new, loose-leaf notebook. You can find these at the ten-cent store. On the first page write your name and the name of your school. On the second page write the title of these lessons—‘‘ The United Kingdom.” ‘Then on the third page write the heading, “Samuel, the Righteous Judge,” and tell something about Samuel. Memory Work Learn the words of the first verse of the familiar hymn, “Come, Thou Almighty King.” “Come, thou almighty King, Help us thy name to sing, Help us to praise: Father, all-glorious, O’er all victorious, Come, and reign over us, Ancient of days.” SUNDAY SESSION SAUL CHOSEN KING Ppatmucltoclel OOo 4 725207 Ol Zeey, THe Memory VERSE “For this God is our God for ever and ever: | He will be our guide even unto death.”—Psalm 48: 14. THE Lesson Story For many years Samuel ruled over the people of Israel, winning many victories in battles, and giving many wise de- 6 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS cisions, as judge. Then, when he was an old man, the people became restless and impatient. ‘They came to him and de- manded that he appoint a king over them, such as the nations round about them had. Samuel was displeased. And God was displeased, too, for God had been the real King of the Israelites. Nevertheless God spoke to Samuel and told him to listen to the words of the people. First, however, Samuel tried to persuade them that they would not be satisfied if they did have a king; he would demand great taxes from them to support his house- hold and armies. He might be cruel and tyrannical. Be- sides, God himself was their King. What more did the people of Israel want? In every way Samuel tried to dis- suade them from their purpose. But when they insisted, he promised, at God’s command, to do as they wished, and ordered them first to go back, each man to his own city. The first king of Israel chosen by Samuel at God’s com- mand was Saul, the son of Kish, of the tribe of Benjamin. Apparently Saul was a fine young man. The first we see of him he and a servant were seeking for the lost asses of his father, in the country near Ramah, the city where Samuel lived. ‘They could not find the animals, and so went to the home of the prophet, to ask if he could tell anything about them. In the meantime God had spoken to Samuel, and had told him that the future king of Israel was coming to him. God told him what to do, and so, when Saul arrived, Samuel received him kindly and entertained him with the best food and drink, and told him of God’s choice of him as king. The next morning the young man started toward home and the old prophet went part way with him. As they parted he poured a few drops of sacred oil on the young man’s head. By this sign he showed that God meant Saul to be the king. Later Samuel called together the people of Israel at Miz- pah. He commanded them to cast lots fora king. First the tribes came together, and lots were cast. The tribe of Benjamin was selected. ‘Then the members of that tribe were brought together, and again lots were cast. Finally, as God had told Samuel, Saul the son of Kish was selected. But when they looked for him, he could not be found. He was hiding among the baggage, The people ran to him; JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS y) they made him come out. As he stood there so modestly before them they could all see that he was head and shoul- ders taller than the rest of the people—a fine-looking man, fit, it seemed to most of them, to be king over them. And so Israel was to be ruled by a human king, instead of by God alone as King. They gave up the best things for the second best, and they suffered for their choice. Purtinc THE LESSON INTO THE LIFE OF THE CLASS Don’t you think that the people of Israel were foolish to choose to have a human king instead of having God alone as King? But do you not sometimes make just as foolish choices? Did you ever make a chum of a boy because he had a fine bicycle, even although you knew that he was not so honorable as he might be? Did you ever associate with a girl who lives in a fine house and has fine clothes, just because she has those things, instead of making friends with some one who has a fine character and not such fine things? Then you choose second-best things instead of the very best. Samuel tried to persuade the people of Israel to do the right thing, but they did not follow his advice. Do you always listen to the advice of those who are older and wiser than you are? Saul did not push himself forward to become king, even although he knew that he had already been selected by God’s command. When you are selected for any position of trust, be modest and unassuming about it, and you will find that that is the better way. Before you make a choice that is important to you, ask the advice of older people and particularly aa God’s help in making the decision. Tur Lesson TRutTH IN Your LIFE The greatest choice of all that 1 can make is the choice to serve God. 8 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Listen to the advice of older people this week. Try to choose the best. Be modest if you are called upon for any honor. Remem- ber that you serve God as your King. Tue CHILD AND THE YEAR Said the child to the youthful year: “What hast thou in store for me, O giver of beautiful gifts! what cheer, What joy dost thou bring with thee? ” “My seasons four shall bring Their treasures: the winter’s snows, The autumn’s store, and the flowers of spring, And the summer’s perfect rose. “ All these and more shall be thine, Dear child—but the last and best Thyself must earn by a strife divine, If thou wouldst be truly blest. “ Wouldst know this last, best gift? *Tis a conscience clear and bright, A peace of mind which the soul can lift To an infinite delight. “Truth, patience, courage, and love, If thou unto me canst bring, IT will set thee all earth’s ills above, O child! and crown thee a king!” —CELIA THAXTER. EXPRESSIONAL SESSION HOW) TOV,ACCEPT HONORS I Samuel 9:21, 22; 10:22, 23 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS When Samuel first told Saul of the high honor which God was going to give to him, Saul seems to have felt that he was not worthy to receive it. When he returned to his home, he did not brag about what had happened to him. Even JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 2) when he had been chosen king by lot, by the people of Miz- pah, he-could not be found, for he had hidden himself. Saul was modest about his ability. He did not push himself for- ward, but waited until he was sure that he was wanted. That is a lesson for us all to learn. We should be modest about our ability. We should not brag of what we have done. We should let others talk of our honors, and should not talk too much of ourselves. God wants us to keep our- selves from false pride, for “ pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Let us not boast of our- selves. Let us try always to be modest and unassuming about what we have done, and what we are going to do. THE CLAss PRAYER Our Father in heaven, help us to realize that all the honors that come to us come first of all from thee. Help us to keep our hearts from pride, and our tongues from bragging. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. VERSES FoR USE IN THE MEETING Psalms 101: 6b* 13121; Proverbs 16:18; 21:4; Ecclesi- Bstese/ ose lsatany 2 viz sn eremiah 3 los 4Lake nl yo) o2s Romans 12:3; James 4:6; 1 Peter.5: 5. Hymns THat May Br UseEp IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING eablestuAte.the)Pure,in Heart,” * Quiet, Lord, My Froward Heart.” “ Love Thyself Last.” “The Wise May Bring Their Learning.” QUESTIONS FoR UsE IN THE MEETING 1. How did Joseph receive the honors which Pharaoh bestowed upon him? Genesis 41:16, 32, 37-45. 2. How did Moses receive the honors which God gave tohim? Exodus 4: 10-12. 3. How did Samuel receive God’s call? I Samuel 3: 10. 4. Which of these leaders received God’s call in the best way? ; 10 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 5. How can you tell when God is calling you? 6. Did you ever hear God’s voice telling you that he had chosen you for special duties? ‘Topics For Discussion or REPORTS 1. Compare the ways in which Joseph, Moses, Samuel, and Saul received God’s call. 2. God Calling His Children To-day. 3. How to Hear God’s Call. 4. Modesty and Laziness. 5/7 deride: 6. Boasting and Bragging. 7. Thinking Too Little of Ourselves. 8. Thinking Too Much of Ourselves. To READ IN THE MEETING “Truly great men never think of themselves more highly than they ought to think.” The boaster and braggart often finds that he cannot do so much as he thinks that he can. Be sure that you can do all that you say you can do. It is said that George Washington, “ when John Adams first mentioned the Virginian as the most suitable com- mander-in-chief of the American Army, darted out of the room, and did not return while the matter was in debate. When informed of his unanimous election, he declared very earnestly that he did not think himself equal to the command.” “ Anoint us kings! Aye, kingly kings, O Lord; Anoint us with the spirit of thy Son; Ours, not a jeweled crown—a blood-stained sword, Ours, by strong love, for Christ a Kingdom won.” SoMETHING To Do THis WEEK Be modest in your claims of what you can do. Do not brag of yourself or of your possessions. CHAPTER II WEEK DAY SESSION SAUL WINNING. A KINGDOM I Samuel 11: 1-13 THe Memory VERSE “For this God is our God for ever and ever: He will be our guide even unto death.”—-Psalm 48: 14. + THE Lesson STorRY In the northern part of the territory of the Israelites and across the Jordan was the city of Jabesh-gilead. This city was exposed to the attacks of the heathen Ammonites; and shortly after Saul was chosen by lot as the king of Israel, before he had been formally put in office, the city was sud- denly besieged by King Nahash of Ammon. So violent and unexpected was the attack that the men of Jabesh-gilead could not stand out against it. ‘They asked Nahash for terms of surrender. But Nahash was a heathen. He must have been a man of terrible cruelty, for he made an awful condition of peace. “On this condition will I make it with you,” he said, “that all your right eyes be put out.” Of course the people of Jabesh-gilead could not consider such a condition as that. They asked for seven days’ delay, and sent messengers to the other people of Israel. They hurried to Saul, and told him what had happened. “The Spirit of God came mightily upon Saul when he heard”? what had happened in Jabesh-gilead. Perhaps he was plowing at the time, for after he had been chosen king at Mizpah, he had gone home to Gibeah, and was doing his work just as he had always done, waiting for some message from God. Now he took a yoke of oxen; he killed them and sent the pieces by messengers to all parts of Israel, with a 11 12 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS stern message: “ Whosoever cometh not forth after Saul and after Samuel, so shall it be done unto his oxen.” The message was from God. The people responded quickly and came together at Bezek—more than three hun- dred and thirty thousand men. Quick runners were sent to Jabesh-gilead to tell them that relief was coming. Saul divided his men into three companies. ‘That same night they moved forward. The distance from Bezek to Jabesh is only eighteen miles; and it was still dark when they came upon the enemies’ forces and surprised them. The three companies attacked at different points. The men of Jabesh- gilead rushed out to join their friends. ‘The sleeping enemy was completely routed, and fled in terror. The Israelites pursued until mid-day and even the king of the Ammonites, himself, Josephus the historian tells us, did not escape, but was killed. Of course this great victory roused great enthusiasm for Saul. The people demanded once more that he be made their ruler. But Saul declared that the victory was not his, but God’s: “ To-day Jehovah hath wrought deliverance in Israel.” But Samuel knew that now Saul had proved himself, and it was time for him to begin to reign. He called together the people at Gilgal, and there, with fitting sacrifices and burnt offerings, they made Saul king before Jehovah. So Saul began his reign wisely and well. If he had only continued as he began, his history would have been very different from what it was. HANDWORK For this lesson, make a crown, to show that Saul was the first real king of Israel. Take a strip of gilt paper about an inch wide, that will just encircle your head, and paste the ends together. ‘The crown of the Hebrew kings was gen- erally a circlet of gold. Sometimes it was studded with jewels. You may make “ jewels” in your crown if you want to. NotrBook Work Tell in your notebook page for this lesson the story of how Saul won the kingdom. This is the third time that he really was chosen king. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 13 Mar Work On your map of Palestine mark Jabesh-gilead, Gibeah, and Gilgal. In the back of your notebook begin a geograph- ical index, entering the important places like this: “ Gibeah. A town in Benjamin. ‘The home of Saul.” Then, when you find out more about Gibeah, or Gilgal, or Jabesh-gilead, you can make a note about that. Arrange the places alpha- betically and leave about half a page for each letter of the alphabet. MrEmory Work TRUST AND OBEY “When we walk with the Lord In the light of his Word, What a glory he sheds on our way! While we do his good will, He abides with us still, And with all who will trust and obey. Trust and obey, For there’s no other way To be happy in Jesus But to trust and obey.” SUNDAY SESSION SAUL LOSING HIS KINGDOM 1samuel 1521-23 Tue Memory VERSE “To obey is better than sacrifice.’—I Samuel 15: 22b Tue Lesson STorY Saul began his reign well. He said to the people that his first victory had come from God. But soon he began to show that he was not so modest and unselfish as he had seemed to be. He showed himself more and more self- willed and determined to follow his own way. The first time this showed plainly was again at Gilgal. Saul had gathered together a great army and prepared to go 14 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS to war against the Philistines. Samuel had told him, at God’s command, to wait seven days, until he should come and offer sacrifice. The days passed. Samuel did not come and Saul grew impatient to fight. On the seventh day he decided to dis- obey the prophet. He himself offered sacrifice. Samuel came, before the sacrifices were completed. He pointed out to Saul the fact that he had been disobedient to God. Now, God warned him, he must be punished. The kingdom would not remain in his family. He should not be succeeded by his son, but by a stranger. But this was not enough of a lesson for Saul. A little later a similar disobedience occurred. Samuel told him that it was God’s will for him to go to battle against the Amale- kites. He would win a great victory. He was to kill all the enemy. Even their cattle were to be destroyed. Saul gathered together his army. They attacked the Amalekites and won a great victory over them, as Samuel had foretold. But Saul did not obey the prophet’s word. It seemed a shame to him to kill the animals. He did not order the people to kill them all. He saved the very best, and killed only the worst. And he did not kill all the men of the enemy, either. He took them prisoners. He even spared the king, thinking, perhaps, that through him he would receive great renown. God was displeased at this disobedience. Saul would never make a good king when he himself would not obey. God spoke to Samuel and told him that Saul should no longer be king over the people. Samuel prayed that Saul might be spared, but God did not grant his prayer. In the morning, when Samuel went to the camp, he heard the bleating of sheep and the lowing of cattle. “What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?” he asked. Saul showed then that he had fallen very low. He tried to put the blame on some one else—“ The people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto Jehovah,” he said. Samuel knew that this was just an excuse. He told Saul sadly what God had commanded him to say. Because of Saul’s disobedience God had rejected him as king. He could —" JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 15 not rule, since he could not obey, for “’To obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.” Saul continued to rule for some time after this, but he no longer enjoyed God’s favor. The end of his reign was fast approaching. Puttinc THE Lesson Into THE LIFE OF THE CLASS “He who commands others rightly must himself first learn to obey.” If you want to rule others, learn first to rule yourself. “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city.” God wants heart worship, and not outward show. If you go to Sunday school on Sunday, and then cheat in school on Monday, you are like Saul. God wants us to love him and obey him because we want to. Then our sacrifices will be true sacrifices of a loving heart, and not outward show. Do you think that Saul deceived himself when he told Samuel, verse 20, that he had obeyed the voice of Jehovah, or do you think that he was telling a falsehood? Does any- thing like that ever happen in your life? “ As we read what Saul did, let us think of the treach- erous Amalekites as very like the faults against which you and I must fight every day. God has said, ‘Spare them not.’ Saul got his thousands of soldiers together in the valley near the chief city of the Amalekites. Soon they joined battle and it raged, as verse 7 says, from Arabia [Havilah] over to Shur. Everywhere the Amalekites went down. before the blows of God’s soldiers. Those soldiers were working as you and I do when we say: ‘I will drive 16 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS out all the Amalekites of sin from my heart. Here is jeal- ousy ; down goes that Amalekite. Here is backbiting ; down goes that Amalekite. And what slaughter we can make among our sins, striking right and left!) But what is that out yonder, lifting up his head? It is Agag.’” Tur Lesson [RUTH IN Your LIFE Obedience to God is the most important thing in the world. And you will ebey him best if you love him, with all your heart and mind and strength. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Try this week to be especially obedient to those in authority. A LirtLE Story To READ Once upon a time E,\verett’s mother told him that he might have ‘“ just one cookie.” But when she came to the cookie jar,, to gét-the cookies’ for tea; there “wasn t evenmore cookie left! “ Fiverett,” she said, “you have eaten all the cookies. I told you that you might have just one. How did it happen that you took more?” “T did take only one cookie, mother. I did take only one,” he said. ‘Why, Everett! There has been no one else here! What do you mean by saying such a thing as that?” asked his mother, shocked. “T did take just one,” he insisted—“ but—I took one a great many times.” This is a true story of a little boy who lived not so very long ago. Do you think that he thought he was really obedi- ent to ‘his mother? Don’t you think that he was like Saul? He did what he wanted to do, and then he tried to make himself and others think that he had been obedient. He tried to deceive himself. Did you ever do anything like that? If the temptation to do such a thing comes, think clearly about what real obedience is, and you will never get into trouble as Saul did, or as Everett did. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 7 EXPRESSIONAL SESSION BLAMING OTHERS FOR ONE’S OWN FAULTS 1eoamiel Selo 21 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE I,EADER’S OPENING ADDRESS There is one great fault which many of the people of the world have had ever since the very beginning of time. That fault is the fault of trying to put upon others the blame for things for which we ourselves are really responsible. Adam and Eve did this in the Garden of Eden; Aaron did it at the time when the golden calf was made in the wilderness while ‘Moses was up in the mount; Saul told Samuel that the people were responsible for saving the sheep and the cattle which God had commanded that they destroy. Many, many times nowadays we find people doing something like this. We try to escape punishment by putting blame on others when we really know in our hearts that the fault is our own. Let us ask God to keep us from this fault. Tur CLASS PRAYER O Lord, make us brave to take the blame as well as the praise for our own deeds. Let us act honestly, and if we do make mistakes, let us not try to shift the blame on others and try to make excuses. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. VERSES FOR Us&s*IN THE MEETING Génesis 3:12, 13; Exodus 32:21-23; Proverbs 11:9; Ame eRe O 2O 6726 2 1b uke-073 1, Hymns THAT May Be Usep IN CoNNECTION WITH THE MEETING “Dare to Be Brave.” “Trying to Walk-in the Steps ai the Saviour.” “ Courage, Brother! Do Not Stumble.” “ Yield Not to Temptation.” “Come, My Soul, Thou Must Be Waking.” “ Now to Heaven Our Cry Ascending.” 18 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS Hilt Y our.ideart Keeps tight.2 ‘Live for: Others.” QUESTIONS FoR Usk IN THE MEETING 1. Did you ever try to put the blame upon another, when you yourself deserved it? 2. What made you do it? 3. Were you brave or cowardly? 4. What other sin does this sin often lead to? 5. What sin did it lead Saul to commit? 6. Isa liar apt to be brave? ‘Topics FoR Discussion OR REPORT'S Adam and Eve Blaming Others. Saul Blaming Others. Aaron Blaming Others. Excusing Ourselves by Blaming Others. Taking One’s Own Punishment. The Cowardice of Lying. Om aides cia te To READ IN THE MEETING “To deny a fault doubles it.” To accuse some one else, doubles the fault also. “ Show your loyalty to truth by never keeping silent when you should speak; never exaggerating or shading the facts so as to give a wrong impression; never keeping back part of the facts; never repeating evil which you have heard about another.” “ Be to others kind and true As you’d have others be to you; And neither do nor say to men Whate’er you would not take again.” SOMETHING To Do THis WEEK Each time that it is necessary, be sure to take the blame for your own faults. Do not blame others when you your- self are responsible. GiB Re Lok WEEK DAY SESSION THE ANCESTRY OF DAVID Ruth 4:17; I Samuel°l6: 1 Tur Memory VERSE “Jehovah seeth not as man seeth.”—I Samuel 16: 7c Tue Lesson StTory Do you remember the story of Ruth, the beautiful maiden from Moab, who left her own country and friends in order to accompany her mother-in-law, Naomi, back to Bethlehem ? You remember that Ruth was later married to Boaz, a well- to-do farmer of Bethlehem, and that they had a little son whom they named Obed. In the course of time Obed grew up and married, and in his turn had a son, Jesse. Jesse, too, married and had a large family. He had eight sons. The oldest of these sons. was Eliab; the second was Abinadab; the youngest of all was David, whose name means “beloved,” or “ darling.” There were two girls in the family, but they were much older, and they had sons—Joab, and Abishai, and Asahel, and Amasa—who, although they were David’s nephews, were just about the same age as he was. For many, many generations the family of Jesse had lived in Bethlehem. They were well-to-do. Jesse was the chief man of the village, and some stories not found in the Bible tell us that he was a weaver of carpets. Bethlehem was a small town at this time. It is situated in the hills five miles south of Jerusalem, which then was in the possession of enemies of the Israelites. Bethlehem had long been connected with the history of the people of Israel. It was there that Benjamin, the youngest son of Jacob, the brother of Joseph, was born, and that Rachel, Jacob’s wife, 19 2 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS died. When the people of Israel came back from exile in Egypt, the part of the land in which Bethlehem was situated was given to the tribe of Judah. And here the boys and girls of Jesse’s large family grew up. They all had their duties to perform. ‘The three eldest sons fought in Saul’s army in time of war. The youngest son, David, was given the care of the sheep. To be a shepherd: in those days, a thousand years before - Christ, was not an easy task. The shepherd took his flocks to pasture in the early morning. He did not drive them, as we see shepherds driving sheep nowadays; he led them. Each day he had to find fresh pastures, where the grass was good. He had to find water for the animals. Sometimes he led his flocks for miles before he found a place where there was sufficient food. Often he traveled so far that it was impossible to return to the fold at night. Near Bethlehem, where the country is mountainous, it was often very hard to find pasturage. David’s task was not easy. It meant fighting sometimes with wild animals, which attacked the flock ; it meant long hours alone by day, with no one to talk to. It meant, too, that he was out in the open air. He grew strong and healthy; he could walk for miles with- out becoming tired. But there was something greater than strength of body which he gained. In the long hours when he was alone with the flocks of sheep, he learned much about nature and about God, who had made the heavens and the earth and everything in them. At night, when he was away from home, he studied the stars; he watched the sun rise and set. He considered the heavens, God’s handiwork. He became a true worshiper of God, the Father of all. To help to pass the hours in which he was without any companions except the sheep, David carried with him a little harp. As the sheep fed quietly he often played and sang hymns of praise to God. He composed beautiful poetry, which later probably became part of The Psalms. So David the boy grew “in wisdom and in stature” and in favor with God, who was preparing him for a great future. HANDWORK Make from wood and strings a small harp, such as that in the picture, which is thought to be the kind upon which JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 21 David played. Also make some sheep. Perhaps you can cut them from thin pieces of wood. Then coat them heavily with glue and stick on bits of cotton batting. Make the eyes from black-headed pins, which may be hammered through the wood, and then filed off. Make a flock of sheep for the sand table. NoteBook WorK Begin an account of the life of Daivd. Give one full page to the title of your story. Then try to find a picture of David to use as a frontispiece. On the third page write his genealogy, as you wrote those of some of the other char- acters of whom we have studied. We do not know the name of David’s mother. You can find something about her in Psalm 116: 16. Map Work Draw in the back of your notebook an outline map of Judah. Mark Bethlehem upon the map. Enter this place in your index. MrEmory WorkK Find in your Bibles and learn the words of the Twenty- third Psalm. 24 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS A DESCRIPTION OF BETHLEHEM OF 'I'‘o-Day Bethlehem lies south of Jerusalem, about an hour’s drive by carriage out of the Jaffa Gate, past the so-called Sultan’s Pool and along the white highway which forms the main artery on the Judean backbone... We pass Rachel’s tomb before we rattle through the particularly narrow main street of Bethlehem, which winds its way into the large Square of the Nativity. : It is Sunday. There is an unusual gathering of country folk for the weekly market, driving the usual black goats and fat-tailed yellow sheep to be bought and sold. Primitive pottery and no less primitive household utensils, even ar- ticles of wearing apparel, are for sale in the square. But the most conspicuous objects when approaching Beth- lehem are the tall headdresses of the women, consisting of a white cloth raised to a peak above the head and _ falling gracefully upon the shoulders—an original feature in the local costume, a touch of ancientry amid the modern com- plexity of Palestinian dress. David and Jesus were both born in Bethlehem, one thou- sand years apart, these two who were of the same tribe and family, and who so strongly resembled each other in certain characteristics and even in some of their experiences. A millennium separated them, “but what are a thousand years in thy sight? ”’—even a day or an hour carved from eternity. A little Arab boy runs along by the carriage carrying a pair of precious shoes in his hand and looking up to our driver with a merry face and gleaming teeth. The man says something in Arabic, slows down the carriage, and the boy leaps upon the box seat, all smiles. We teach him to say “thank you” in English, gratitude seeming to be the most conspicuous need of the East. He proves willing enough to learn, even if he beams a little superciliously from his perch beside the driver at less highly favored mortals and es- pecially at boys of his own age paddling along in the dust; but his chief care is for the shoes, which he keeps tucked away back of his naked feet, apparently for mental comfort and not material use. In the outskirts of Bethlehem he hops down with the well-learned “thank you,” leaving behind him a savor of gratitude that the young and tender of this land JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 7a} have been redeemed at last from cruel masters. We feel as glad about the “lift” as he —‘ THE NEw PALESTINE,” by MacCRACKAN. SUNDAY SESSION DAVLD' CALLED LO A KINGDOM I Samuel 16: 1-13 Tue Memory VERSE “ Man looketh on the outward appearance, but Jehovah looketh on the heart.”—-I Samuel 16: 7d. THE Lesson STorRY Samuel the prophet was very much grieved at the action of King Saul. He had loved the strong, handsome young man as a father loves a son. It made him sad to have the young man do wrong. | God knew that the time had come for Samuel to do some new work for him. He told him to go to Bethlehem. There he would find the person whom God had chosen to be king in Saul’s place. Samuel was to go as if he were going on an ordinary errand, but really he was to anoint the new king. The old prophet went to Bethlehem as God had told him. The people were frightened, at first, for they feared that they had committed some sin, for which he had come to punish them. But he told them not to be terrified. He had come to sacrifice. Jesse and his family were particularly summoned to come to the feast, which was held at the time of the sacrifice. Jesse and his seven older sons came as the prophet com- manded. But David, the youngest, was out in the fields with his sheep. It did not seem worth while to send for him. The older sons presented themselves before Samuel. He had a horn of oil in his hand, and probably they wondered what he was about to do. The prophets often used oil in anointing those they wanted to employ in some special service. Perhaps Samuel wanted one of them to help him in some way. None of them knew, for Samuel did not say. 24 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS Eliab, the oldest son, presented himself. He was tall and handsome. “Surely this is the man whom God has selected to be the king,” said the prophet to himself. But God’s voice spoke to him secretly. ‘‘ This is not the man,” the voice said. ‘‘ Jehovah seeth not as man seeth. He looketh at the heart.” All of Jesse’s sons who were at the feast presented them- selves. But God told Samuel that none of these was the chosen one. Samuel did not understand. “Have you any other sons?” he asked. “ Only David, the youngest,” said the father. “ He is out on the hills, tending the sheep.” “Send for him,” answered the prophet. ‘“ We will not begin the feast until he comes.” Quickly some one was sent for David, and he hurried back to the city. He was different in appearance from many of the people of Israel, for he had auburn hair—he was “ruddy,” and “of a beautiful countenance.” He was quite tall, too, for when later, he tried on the armor of King Saul, he could wear it—and Saul, you remember, was “ higher than any of the people from his shoulders and upward.” I Samuel 10: 23. When David came to the place where the prophet was, the voice of God told Samuel that here at last was the Lord’s anointed. Then Samuel anointed David in the midst of his brethren. Perhaps not even David himself knew exactly what the anointing meant, but “the Spirit of Jehovah came mightily upon David from that day forward.” Puttine THE Lesson Into THE LIFE oF THE CLASS As you do your duty quietly, day by day, learning your lessons and obeying your parents and teachers, you are preparing for the future. You do not know what is coming to you, any more than David knew; but of this you may be sure: God is planning to use you in his work, if you are ready to do as he would have you do. Samuel anointed David, but probably even David himself _ did not know what the anointing meant. You were probably Copyrighted by Harold Copping. ~~ Harold Copping. SAMUEL ANOINTING DAVID pss al a >= ve my character; do not enter into the path which led to my destruction.” * “The old proverb says, ‘The child is father of the man,’ and it is equally true that the boy is father of the citizen. Wholesome, happy boyhood is the foundation of sound and healthy citizenship.” SOMETHING To Do Tuts WEEK Try to be obedient in every way to your parents, and so show respect for them. Go on errands that will save steps for mother and father. See that the elder members of the family have the most comfortable seat in the room, the best place in every way. CHAPTER XIII WEEK DAY SESSION | DAVID MAKES SOLOMON KING I Kings 1: 5-10, 15-53 THe Memory VERSE “And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a will- ing mind.”—I Chronicles 28: 9. Tue Lesson STORY David’s youngest son, born after he began his reign in Jerusalem, was Solomon. Solomon had many advantages over his half brothers. His mother, Bath-sheba, was a wor- shiper of the true God, and he himself was trained by the great prophet Nathan. As David felt that the end of his life was approaching he realized that Solomon was the one of his sons whom God wanted to have as his successor on the throne of Israel. Nathan and Bath-sheba and many others realized this, too, and although it had not been publicly announced that Solo- mon was to be David’s successor, this was generally understood. David was seventy years old. He was very feeble. Solo- mon was only about twenty. To another of David’s sons, Adonijah, this seemed a good time to seize the throne. Adonijah was very much like Absalom in many ways. He, too, had had a heathen mother, Haggith. He, too, was very handsome, and his father had never corrected him for any of his acts. He imitated Absalom in having chariots and horsemen to go before him when he went out in public. He planned to become king. And for some reason many of David’s friends thought that this would be a good thing. Even Joab and the priest 115 116 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS Abiathar, who had always been true to David, agreed with him. So Adonijah prepared a great sacrificial feast at the spring of En-rogel, which lies between the city of Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives, and there he planned to have him- self proclaimed king. In some way this news came to Nathan. He told Bath- sheba, and she and Nathan went to David. Adonijah and his friends had thought that David was too feeble to oppose their. plans. But when he heard the story of Nathan and Bath-sheba, he showed that he still had some energy. He sent for Zadok, the high priest who was loyal to him, and his general Benaiah. He called together his guard of Cherethites and Pelethites, and he had his own mule brought. (Kings in those days rode upon mules, as a sign of their authority.) David arranged matters completely. Solomon was to ride on the royal mule to Gihon, not more than a quarter of a mile from En-rogel, where Adonijah and his friends were feasting. ‘There they were to make Solomon king, with all suitable rites and ceremonies. Zadok took the horn of sacred anointing oil from the tabernacle. Quickly the procession gathered. The people of Jerusalem followed in great crowds. And there, at Gihon, Solomon was anointed king. The trumpet was blown as a signal, and the people shouted and cheered: “Long live King Solomon! Long live King Solomon!” Adonijah and his friends were not far away. ‘They heard the noise and they stopped eating. “What is the meaning of this noise?” asked Joab. As he spoke, Jonathan, the son of Abiathar, ran up, and told them all that had happened—how Solomon had been anointed king at the direction of David; how David had blessed him; and how the people had accepted him. Silently Adonijah’s friends went their way. Like the friends of the Prodigal Son in Jesus’ parable in the New Testament, they were friends only in prosperity. As for Adonijah, he fled to the altar of God, where he took refuge. He was afraid of Solomon. But Solomon, even in the first hour of his reign, showed that he was a generous and great man, for he sent a message of peace to Adonijah and prom- JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 117 ised to be friends with him if he should prove himself worthy. So Solomon, the youngest son of David, became king. His reign was to be one of the greatest and longest in the history of Israel. HANDWORK Continue your work on your model of the city of Jerusa- lem, marking especially the place, Gihon, which has been identified with the spot which was in New Testament times called “The Fountain of the Virgin.” NoteBook Work As Chapter XI in your notebook life of David, tell the story of “ David Chooses His Successor.” MrEmory Work Learn some of the words which David spoke to Solomon, when he told him of his duties as king. I Chronicles 28:9: “Know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind; for Jehovah search- eth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts. If thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.” SomsE Facts Azout THE Books oF Kincs, From WHICH Tuis Lesson Is TAKEN 1. The two books were originally one. 2. The period covered by the history is a little more than four hundred years, from the time when Solomon was made king to the time of the Captivity, and the destruction of the Temple by Nebuchadnezzar. 3. The writer of these books is unknown. 4. He uses some Fastern books as sources of informa- tion. Some of these are named: (a) The Book of the Acts of Solomon. I Kings 11: 4-41, (b) The Book of the Annals of the Kings of Israel; the daily record of events in Israel. Mentioned in I Kings 14:19, and many other times, 118 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL WEESSONS (c) The Book of the Annals (or Chronicles) of the Kings of Judah. Mentioned in I Kings 14:29, and many other times. 5. The date of the writing of the greater part is sup- posed to have been about six hundred years before Christ. —ADAPTED. SUNDAY SESSION THE END OF A GREAT LIFE I Chronicles, chapters 28, 29 Tur MEMORY VERSE “Thine, O Jehovah, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty.” —I Chronicles 29: 11. THE Lesson Story After Solomon had been crowned at Gihon, David be- came stronger once more. He called Solomon into his pres- ence and gave him much wise advice. He instructed him in many things and told him his plans for building the Temple. Then he called together a great assemblage of people—the great men and leaders from all parts of his kingdom. Solo- mon had been accepted as king by the people of Jerusalem, but David knew that it would be better to have him ac- knowledged by the men from the other parts of the kingdom. When they had come together in his palace he addressed them. He told them that he had made Solomon his suc- cessor because this was God’s will. He explained his plans about the Temple; he asked for their help. Gladly they promised loyalty to the young king and great treasures for God’s Temple. On that day there was great rejoicing through all Jerusalem. David prayed to God in wonderful words, thanking him for his great kindness to him. There was a great feast, and Solomon was anointed king a second time, and all the people acknowledged him. Shortly after this David died, in the seventy-first year of his age. He had ruled in Israel for forty years—seven — JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 119 years at Hebron, and thirty-three years at Jerusalem. He was buried with the utmost magnificence in a tomb which he himself had erected on Mount Zion. His weapons were preserved and later put as sacred relics in the Temple. IT Kings 11: 10. David was a great man and a great king. Although he made mistakes in his life as everyone does, he acknowledged these sins later and God forgave him. He was a great warrior, a great king, a great poet. But his greatest char- acteristic was his love of God and his trust in him. And in that characteristic we can all try to imitate King David. PutTING THE Lesson INTO THE LIFE OF THE CLASS We cannot all be kings over a nation as David was, but we can be kings over our own lives, and rule ourselves wisely and well. David forgave his enemies absolutely and completely. So can we forgive those who injure us. David trusted in God’s promises, and tried to obey him. So we should do. David’s love for God was his greatest characteristic. That was what made him great. If we love God, we, too, shall find that we are better and bigger men and women. THE Lesson TrutTH IN Your LIFE I will try to be great-spirited and forgiving to those who harm me; I will love God; I will honor my elders and those in authority, as David did. E.XPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY This week try to follow David’s example in one way, so showing that you have learned a lesson from his life. THE Toms oF DAvID A site called the Tomb of David is still shown. This monument stands immediately outside the rotunda of the 120 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS Church of the Holy Sepulcher. It is said to show even now that it had contained nine bodies deposited in graves be- neath the surface of the floor. The kings buried therein were David, Solomon, Rehoboam, Ahijah, Jehoshaphat, Amaziah, Jotham, Hezekiah, and Josiah. In this sepulcher, wherever situated, was buried a mass of treasure, the fate of which is detailed by Josephus. When Hyrcanus the high priest was besieged in Jerusalem by Antiochus Sidetes, 133 B.c., he obtained, favorable terms from the enemy by promising a large sum of money; and having no funds in his treasury, he opened one of the cells of David’s sepulcher, and took from it three thousand talents of silver, presenting Antiochus with one tenth of the riches thus obtained, which secured his retreat. Many years afterwards, Herod the Great, being in want of money, and hearing what Hyrcanus had done, determined to recruit his resources in the same manner. Accordingly, choosing night for his sacreligious enterprise, and taking with him only a few of his most trusty friends, he entered the sepulcher. His search was rewarded by finding, not indeed money, but a prodigious store of gold and valuable treasures, all of which he carried away. En- deavoring to penetrate further, even to the shrine where lay the ashes of David and Solomon, he was stopped, so the story goes, by divine interposition, a flame suddenly darting forth and consuming the foremost of his attendants. ‘T’o atone for this invasion of the sanctities of the tomb, Herod erected at its entrance, a magnificant monument of white marble.—* David, His Life and Times,” by DEANE, in “ Men of the Bible” Series. EXPRESSIONAL SESSION DAVIDSTA DN ICEL LOsSOLOMON I Kings 2: 1-4; I Chronicles 28:9 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’s OpkENING ADDRESS Do you remember the words which Moses spoke to Joshua when he was about to take the leadership of the Children of Israel? “ Be strong and of good courage,” he was told. As JUNIORFCHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 121 David knew that the end of his life was approaching, he said somewhat the same thing to his heir, Solomon, who was about to take the leadership of the Jewish people. “ Be thou strong . . . and show thyself a man.” And the way in which both Joshua and Solomon were to keep this strength was to walk in the way of the Lord, and keep his commandments. David advised Solomon to serve God with a perfect heart and with a willing mind. We, too, although we live almost three thousand years later than Solomon can please God and serve him in the same way. We, too, can be “strong and very courageous ” if we obey God’s laws and keep his commandments. Let us ask him to help us to do these things. THe CLAss PRAYER Our Father in heaven, help us to be strong and cour- ageous for the right, and to serve thee with perfect hearts and with willing minds, as did Jesus, who said, “ Not my will, but thine, be done.” We ask in his name. Amen. VERSES FoR USE IN THE MEETING Joshua 1: 7-9; Psalm 1; Matthew 5:48; Romans 12:2; Proverbs 3: 1-4; I Corinthians 16:13; II Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 6:10; James 1: 4. Hymns tTHat May BE UseEp IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING * March On, O Soul, with Strength.” “Dare to Be Brave.” “Fight for the Right, Boys.” QUESTIONS FoR UsE IN THE MEETING 1. Find and read the charge of Moses to Joshua, his suc- cessor. Deuteronomy 31: 23. 2. Find and read David’s last charge to Solomon. I Kings 2: 1-4. 3. Compare these two charges. _ 4. Had David learned by experience the wisdom of the words which he spoke to Solomon ? 122 Ess NS JUNIOR CHURCH YS CHOOLSLESSONS How did Paul teach this lesson in the New ‘Testament ? What is meant by “a perfect heart’? Topics FOR DISCUSSION OR REPORTS Follow the Advice of Our Elders. “A Perfect Heart.” “A Willing Mind.” Being Strong and Courageous. To READ IN THE MEETING “ Be strong! We are not here to play, to dream, to drift, We have hard work to do, and loads to lift. Shun not the struggle, face it; ’tis God’s gift.” “March on, O soul, with strength! Like those strong men of old Who ’gainst enthroned wrong Stood confident and bold.” “You can all be gentlemen, courteous, kind, and true: You can have the strength of ten, if the right you'll do. Never mind your feelings much, never mind the past; Do the thing that’s square to-day, first and last. “Don’t be dreaming all the day; do the thing that’s there, Brace your spirit for the fray: gallant be, and fair: Never mind a knock or two, never mind a throw, Get up on your feet again, and forward go. “Fight for the right, boys, that’s the thing to do, Fight with your might, boys, plucky through and through. Never mind your moods, boys, only grit will win; Square your shoulders, set your jaw, and march right in.” SoMETHING To Do Tuts WEEK Try to take your parents’ advice. | Try to profit by the experience of your elders. Se Meee of lo as ae ——— CHAPTER REX LV WEEK DAY SESSION SOLOMON’S WISE CHOICE I Kings 3: 1-15 Tot Memory VERSE “The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of wisdom.” —Proverbs 9: 10. Tur Lesson STorY David, the great king of Israel, was dead, and his son Solomon reigned in his place. Solomon was very young to be a king, for he was only about twenty years old at the time of his father’s death. He must have felt the responsi- bilities of his position greatly. There were certain matters which had to be settled in the kingdom, and then Solomon planned a great sacrifice to God at Gibeon (five and one-half miles northwest of Jerusalem) where the tabernacle had been left when David removed the Ark to Jerusalem. | Solomon sent messengers to all the people of Israel, to the captains and the judges, and many people came together once more to worship the true God. At Gibeon, was the brazen altar which had been made in the wilderness, and there, with great ceremony, Solomon offered to God a thousand burnt offerings as a sign of his trust in him. It must have been a wonderful sight—the young king in his robes of state; the great, brazen altar of sacrifice; the tabernacle made so many years before; and thousands of the people of Israel gathered round to watch the ceremonies and to share in them. God was pleased with the sacrifice. That night when Solomon was asleep God appeared to him and asked him to choose what he wanted God to give him. Can you imagine 123 124 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS anything more wonderful than that? Solomon must have wondered what it would be wisest to ask for. Perhaps he thought of riches, or long life, or victory over his enemies, but in the midst of the pomp and ceremony of the day he must have felt humble. So in answer to God’s question, he said that he was only a little child—that is, he was very young to be a king. He felt that the problems of ruling the people of Israel would be very great. He asked God to be with him as he had been with David, and to give to him wisdom and understanding in ruling the people. God was pleased with Solomon’s choice. He promised to give to the young king that for which he asked, and in ad- dition said that he should have riches and honor. There should be no other king like him. Then God added the promise that if Solomon would keep his laws, as David had done, the gift of a long life, too, should be given to him When Solomon woke, he knew that he had dreamed this vision. But he knew, too, that the dream had come from God, who had really promised him all these things. After this Solomon returned to Jerusalem. And there, before the Ark of the Covenant in thanksgiving to God for his promise to him, he again offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and made a great feast for his servants and attendants. How Gop’s ProMisks WERE FULFILLED “ And Solomon ruled over all the kingdoms from the River unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought tribute, and served Solomon all the days of his life. And Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and a hundred sheep, besides harts, and gazelles, and roebucks, and fatted fowl. For he had dominion over all the region on this side the River, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings on this side the River: and he had peace on all sides round about him. And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine and under his fig-tree, from Dan even to Beersheba, all the days of Solomon. And Solomon JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 125 had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. And those officers provided victuals for king Solomon, and for all that came unto king Solomon’s table, every man in his month; they let nothing be lacking. Barley also and straw for the horses and swift steeds brought they unto the place where the officers were, ~ every man according to his charge. “ And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding ex- ceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea-shore. And Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east, and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all the nations round about. ‘‘And he spake three thousand proverbs; and his songs were a thousand and five. And he spake of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and of fishes. And there came of all peoples to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.”—I Kings 4: 21-34. How ‘To Get TrRuE WIspoM One night some one overheard President Lincoln pray- ing. Lincoln was on his knees before an open Bible, and these were the words of his prayer: “ O thou God that heard Solomon in the night, when he prayed for wisdom, hear me. I cannot lead this people, I cannot guide the affairs of this nation, without thy help. 1 am poor and weak and sinful. O God, who didst hear Solomon when he cried for wisdom, hear me and save this nation.” HANDWORK You remember how David had planned to build a Temple where God might be worshiped, and how he had provided many treasures to be used in this building. During our next lesson we are to study about the Temple which Solomon built, and to try to make a model of it. For your handwork this week look over and put in order the articles which you 126 JUNIOR* CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS made as furnishings for the tabernacle in the wilderness— the Ark of the Covenant, the seven-branched candlestick, the brazen altar, and so on. You will need these in connec- tion with the Temple. Map Work Study thoroughly your plan of Jerusalem, to find out in what part of the city the Temple was to be built. NotEeEBooK WorkK Begin a new page of your notebook with “The Story of Solomon.” Then write in your own words an account of the beginning of his reign. Memory Work In I Kings 4:32, we are told that Solomon wrote three thousand proverbs and a thousand and five songs. Of these songs only two which are said to be by Solomon are found in the book of Psalms. ‘These are Psalm 127 and Psalm 72. Learn the first part of Psalm 72, and also the last verses. Verses 1-4, 18, 19. Give the king thy judgments, O God, And thy righteousness unto the king’s son. He will judge thy people with righteousness, And thy poor with justice. The mountains shall bring peace to the people, And the hills, in righteousness. He will judge the poor of the people, He will save the children of the needy, And will break in pieces the oppressor. Blessed be Jehovah God, the God of Israel, Who only doeth wondrous things: And blessed be his glorious name for ever; And let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 127 SUNDAY SESSION THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON Proverbs 4: 5-9 Tur MrEMorRY VERSE “Wisdom is the principal thing ; therefore get wisdom ; Yea, with all thy getting get understanding.” —Proverbs 4:7. Tuer LEsson Story God promised to Solomon the gift of wisdom, and he gave this quality to the young king in such large measure that he was known in his own day as the wisest man, and even now, almost three thousand years later, he is spoken of in the same way. “Wisdom,” in the days of Solomon, however, meant something a little different from what we mean when we use the word. 1. In the first place, in the case of Solomon, it meant good judgment and understanding in ruling over his people. Solomon asked God particularly for ability to rule well, and this God gave him in great measure. 2. In the second place, it meant largeness of heart. Solo- mon saw the way in which his acts would affect the future. He did not decide questions selfishly, in a small way, but generously, from a broad point of view. 3. The third meaning of the word was ability to interpret hard questions and riddles. This ability was, and is, much prized among the people of the East. They like to ask one another questions which it is difficult to answer, and which require a quick wit. Don’t you, yourself, like riddles? See if you can answer this riddle of King Solomon’s time. What four things which are upon the earth are little but exceeding wise? You will find the answer in Proverbs 30: 24-28. It is said that King Solomon and King Hiram of Tyre spent much time in asking each other questions of this sort. 4. Science. Solomon was one of the earliest scientists of whom we have any record. He knew botany, for he knew about plants and trees, I Kings 4: 33; he was a student 128 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS of natural history, for “ he spake also of beasts, and of birds, and of creeping things, and of fishes.” God’s gift made Solomon so wise that men and women from all parts of the ancient world came to him, to learn from him. And so he began his reign wisely and well, in a Bey that pleased God, and made his name famous every- where. PuTtine THE Lesson INTo THE LIFE OF THE CLASS Solomon was only a young man when he chose wisdom as the gift which he wanted God to give him. Although you are only a Junior, it is possible for you, too, to choose to be wise, to serve God, to do his will. God gave to Solomon wisdom and an understanding heart in ruling his people. He will give to you strength to rule your own heart if you will ask him. God gave to Solomon “ largeness of heart.” He will help you to be a “ Mr. Great-heart,” too, if you will be generous in all your dealings, trying never to be mean or small- spirited. Solomon was quick in answering riddles and hard ques- tions. ‘That does not seem to us nowadays a great part of “wisdom,” but it was a part of the wisdom of his time. Perhaps you have a quick wit; but be sure that your quick wit is not joined to a sharp tongue, which will hurt the feel- ings of other people. Solomon was a scholar and a student. He must have learned well the lessons of his boyhood days. If you make the choice to learn well your school lessons, you will find that many things which seem useless to you now, will prove profitable when you are older. Choose the right when you are young, and you will find that you have been wise. a ee JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS | 129 Tue Lkésson TrutTH IN Your LIFE First of all choose the path of wisdom. Choose to serve God and to be his follower. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY If the opportunity comes this week to make a choice, con- sider carefully what is right and what is wrong, and choose the right, definitely. Choose to study your lessons thor- oughly. Choose to do your work well. Choose to be obe- dient and thoughtful of others. ‘THE GIFT “What shall I give her, O mother mild, Ask what thou wilt for thy little child. Shall I kiss her brow that her eyes may shine With a beauty that men will call divine? Shall I touch her lips that they may flow With songs the sweetest the world may know?” “Nay,” said the mother, “that will not stay: Songs are forgotten and hair turns gray.” “But what shall I give her?” he said again; “ Ask, and thou shalt not ask in vain.” And the mother lifted her eyes above: “Give her purity, truth and love.” And the Christ-child turned to her soft and mild: “Thou hast chosen the best for thy little child. Be not afraid, though life be sore I shall be with her evermore.” EXPRESSIONAL SESSION CHOOSENGELHE Bio p Joshua 24: 15-26 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS Solomon made a wise choice when he chose wisdom and an understanding heart as the gifts which he asked God to give him. Joshua and the people of Israel made a wise choice when they determined to serve God, in the days when the Children of Israel were settling in the Promised Land. 130 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS And we Juniors of to-day will make the very wisest and best choice of all if we, too, decide to serve the Lord and to choose as our Leader, Jesus, the Son of God, who came into the world to show to us the path of righteousness, and to die for us. We are only Juniors, yet. There are two paths before us, the right path and the wrong path. Sometimes the wrong path seems broad and easy ; but in the end it will be hard and difficult. The right path, where we follow Christ, will per- haps seem hard at first, but it will grow easier as it goes on. Let us ask God’s help in our choice to follow Christ as our Leader to the best that we can reach in this life and in heaven. Tuer Criass PRAYER Our Father in heaven, help us in our choice to do the right and to follow Jesus as our Leader. We ask in his name. Amen. VERSES FoR USE IN THE MEETING Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 2:2-5; Jeremiah 9:23, 24; I Corinthians 1:30; II Timothy 2:7; James 1:5; Matthew LOM 6-225 Hymuns tuat May Br USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING “Who Is on the Lord’s Side?” “Give Thy Youth to God.” “Who Will My Disciple Be? ” QUESTIONS FoR USE IN THE MEETING 1. What made Eve’s choice wrong? 2. Why was Lot’s choice wrong ? 3. What can you tell about Moses’ choice to serve God? Hebrews 11: 24, 25. 4. How did Saul choose the wrong? 5. How did Solomon make a wise choice at the beginning of his reign? 6. How does a Junior choose the right or the wrong? ‘ . JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 131 7. Have I made a choice this week for the right or the wrong? Topics For DIscussION OR REPORTS Bible Choices for Right or Wrong. The Everyday Choices Which a Junior Makes. Choosing Our Life Work. Deciding Between Right and Wrong. The Best Choice of All. a ae To READ IN THE MEETING What you choose is a great test of yourself. “Once to every man and nation comes the moment to decide, In the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side. 39 “T will be learning, day by day, the lessons My heavenly Father gives me in his Word; I would be quick to hear his lightest whisper, And prompt and glad to.do the things I’ve heard.” Look out for choices; they run into habit, character, destiny. —Marrsiz D, Bascock. _Teach me, in the path I shall walk in, always to do the thing that pleases not me but thee—The prayer given to Dr. Grenfell by his mother. If God says to us in the bright promise of youth, “ Ask what I shall give thee,” let us make the best choice, and answer: “ Give me grace to know thy Son, the Christ, and to grow like him”; for that is the true wisdom which leads to eternal life, and that is the true royalty which brings do- minion over self, and that is the true happiness which flows unsought from fellowship with the divine life—Dr. Henry van Dyke, in “ Sermons to Men.” Choice and service—in these are the whole of life. —-MarkK HopKINs. Choose well; your choice is brief but endless. —GOETHE. 162e) JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS SoMETHING TO Do THis WEEK Write down this week as many reasons as you can think of why you should choose to serve God. Write down, also, as many reasons as you can think of why you should not serve him. Do this honestly, and then try to answer os reasons that you have put in your second list. naan EE MINN CHAPTER XV WEEK DAY SESSION SOLOMON BUILDS THE TEMPLE L Kings oe litosouce THe Memory VERSE “ Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of Jehovah my God, to dedicate it to him.” . —II Chronicles 2: 4. THE LESSON STORY David, you remember, had wanted to build a Temple in which God might be worshiped, but God himself, through the Prophet Nathan, had forbidden this because David had been “a man of war.” God had promised David, however, that his son should build the house of God, and David had spent many years of his life in collecting materials which might be used in the Temple, and in making plans for it. All these things he gave to his son Solomon and just before his death he called an assemblage of the chief men of Israel, to ask their loyalty to the young king, and to tell them of the task that he wanted Solomon to do. One of Solomon’s first acts was to set to work to carry out his father’s plans. He showed his wisdom in the way in which he undertook this work. He renewed the friendship which his father, David, had had with King Hiram of Tyre. He knew that the Phoenicians, who were King Hiram’s sub- jects, were skillful workers in all sorts of metals, and that on the mountains of King Hiram’s land grew the wonderful cedars of Lebanon, which he needed in his building. He wrote to Hiram, and asked to exchange food and cities for these things, and Hiram agreed to send both workmen and materials. David, perhaps you remember, had bought from Araunah the Jebusite, a piece of land which was called “a threshing- 133 134 7 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS floor.” It was a flat surface on the hill at the eastern side of the city, called Mount Moriah, where, it is believed, Abra- ham brought Isaac to be sacrificed, so many years before this time. Genesis 22:1-3. Here, you remember, David had built an altar to God, and it was here that the Temple was to be built. The top of Mount Moriah had to be leveled off, and hol- lows had to be filled up, until there was a great, even space, five hundred paces each way. Ezekiel 42:15-20; 45:2. Some of the stones used in this filling in are more than thirty feet long and seven feet high, so you can imagine how much @42scaapane teeeaasace y work it must have been to quarry them and to prepare them. And all this work was done at a distance from Jerusalem, so that when the stones were brought they just fitted into place, and there was not a sound of chisel or hammer as they were silently and reverently put into position. The general plan of the Temple was very much like that of the tabernacle. ‘There was a great outside colonnade, on the eastern side. This opened on a court, surrounded by.a wall partly of stone and partly of cedar. Here were planted trees—the cedar, the palm, the olive. Psalm 52:8; 92:12, 13. Within this was a smaller court in which was an altar. The altar was like a square chest of wood, cov- ered with brass, and mounted by steps. On the top was a an a bo Se ie ip ie ae . es ae JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 135 brass grating where was built the fire on which the sacrifice was roasted. In addition to the altar this inner court con- tained the laver, or “‘ brazen sea,” which held the water used in connection with the sacrifices. Round about this court were rooms for the priests, and for other people of rank. In the court was the main building of the Temple. It was sixty cubits (ninety feet) long, from east to west, twenty cubits (thirty feet) wide, and thirty cubits (forty-five feet) high, exactly twice the dimensions of the ancient tabernacle. In front of this main building was a porch, with two great brass pillars, called Boaz and Jachin. The gates of the porch were usually open, and within it were hung the shields and spears that had been used in David’s army, and the Lele (eke welt bel OC] MLM) ers 30 FT —_ awea=ss == eta torent | 1 sword of Goliath, which had been preserved in the taber- nacle, I Samuel 17: 54; 21:9. Back of the porch was the Holy Place, which was entered by a pair of great, folding doors made of cypress wood. This room was lighted by ten seven-branched candlesticks, set on golden tables, five on each side. Here stood the golden altar of incense and the golden table on which was placed the daily offering of shewbread. The walls were of cedar wood, overlaid with gold, and were decorated by the Phoenician workmen. Back of the Holy Place was the Holy of Holies, a cubical room thirty feet each way. There was the most sacred part of the Temple, for it was there that God showed his glory. All around the main building of the Temple there were 136 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS storerooms. ‘These were built in three stories, and the rooms in the upper story were reached by a spiral staircase. These are the main points about the construction of the Temple of Solomon. Look carefully at your pictures of the building, and see how much of the description fits in with the pictures. HANDWORK Continue your wor on your model of Solomon’s Temple, as your teacher will direct you to do. NotEeBooK WorkK Draw the plan of the Temple of Solomon in your note- book, and write a description of it as it seems to you that it must have looked. Calculate the time that it took to build the Temple. From I Kings 6:1, 37, you can tell when it was begun, and in verse 38, you can find when it was fin- ished. Look at your table of months, so that you can tell about these. MEmMory Work Reginald Heber, one of the greatest hymn writers that the world has ever known, the author of the hymn, “ Holy, Holy, Holy,” and also of “ From Greenland’s Icy Moun- tains,’ was so impressed by the fact that the building of the Temple was carried on in absolute silence that he wrote the following lines about it: When Tiber slept beneath the cypress gloom, And silence held the lonely woods of Rome; Or ere to Greece the builders skill was known, Or the light chisel brushed the Parian stone; Yet here fair science nursed her infant fire, Fanned by the artist aid of friendly Tyre. Then towered the palace, then in awful state The Temple reared its everlasting gate. No workman’s steel, no ponderous axes rung; Like some tall palm the noiseless fabric sprung. Majestic silence!—then the harp awoke, The cymbal clanged, the deep-voiced trumpet spoke; And Salem spread her suppliant arms abroad, Viewed the descending flame, and blessed the present God. —ReEcINALD HeseEr, in “ Palestine.” JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 137 SUNDAY SESSION SPER CTO Yar) ae ELST Ee I Kings 6: 23-36; 8: 6-11 THE Memory VERSE “The glory of Jehovah hath filled the house of Jehovah.” —I Kings 8: 11b. TE Lesson S'rory The most sacred part of the Temple was the Holy of Holies, or the Most Holy Place, the little cube-shaped room, thirty feet each way, where the Ark of the Covenant was kept, and where God spoke to his people. The Holy of Holies contained two great, golden cherubim, whose outstretched wings, each five cubits long, extended en- tirely across the room. These cherubim faced inward, and beneath their wings the Ark was placed. The walls of the entire room were overlaid with pure gold, weighing six hundred talents. II Chronicles 3:8. The Holy of Holies was in complete darkness, except when, once a year, on the Day of Atonement, the curtan covering the door leading to the Holy Place was opened to admit the high priest who offered sacrifice to God. The most sacred possession of the Jewish race, the Ark , of the Covenant, which had been made in the wilderness, was the only article in the Holy of Holies. In it were the two tables of stone upon which were inscribed the Ten Com- mandments. In the little room there was no statue or image of God such as the heathen would have had in a sacred shrine, for this was forbidden in the Second Commandment. The Temple, and particularly the Holy of Holies, are called “ God’s house,” just as we to-day call the church “ God’s house,” but even in the days of Solomon, the people did not think that God actually dwelt in the Temple. Solo- mon says in his prayer of dedication: “ Will God in very deed dwell on earth? behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less the house that I have builded!” But, in the worship of the Temple, the Jewish people came close to God in their services of sacrifice 138 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS and prayer and praise; they felt that he was with them there, as they worshiped him. Puttine tHe Lesson Into THE LIFE oF THE CLASS Jesus taught that “ God is a Spirit.” He is with us to-day, just as he was with the people of Israel so many hundreds of years ago. % Our church is God’s house, just as the Temple was. We worship and praise him there, just as the Jews worshiped and praised him in the Temple in Jerusalem. We do not worship God with the same ceremonies as those of the Jews, but we can worship him with all our hearts, and souls, and minds, and love him as truly as they did. And we have had greater proof of his love, too, than had the Jews of Solomon’s time, for he has shown to us that love in sending to us his only Son, Jesus Christ, that we might have eternal life. THE LEsson [RUTH IN Your LIFE God does not dwell in the midst of the thick darkness of the Holy of Holies. He is everywhere, watching our work and play, and sharing with us all that happens to us. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Do something to make your church building or grounds more attractive. You will find some suggestions at the end of the Expressional Session. Ir You Hap Livep In JERUSALEM THREE ‘THOUSAND YEARS AGO Reverently Reuben climbed the way which led to the Temple hill. It was the first time that he had been in Jeru- salem since the dedication of the great Temple which King Solomon had built, and in which he felt that he, too, had a JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 139 had a part—for had he not helped the Phoenician workmen, under the master workman, Huram, who had come from Tyre to direct the work in metal which was used in the Temple? Close to his home, in the Jordan Valley, near Succoth, this had been done. There had been cast and molded and polished many of the ornaments and vessels used in the Temple—the two great pillars, and the great brazen sea, or laver, and the pots, and the shovels, and the basins. ‘Then, too, he had watched the men who were quar- rying the great stones used in the building. How skillfully they had been chiseled and shaped, so that when they were set up in the Temple, there was not a sound! He reached the top of the hill, and passed among the homes of the Levites who lived near the Temple. Then he entered one of the gateways into the outer court, with its groves of olive trees and palms, cedars and cypresses. Crowds of people gathered there, and he joined them. Up a few steps he could see into the inner court where the priests were sacrificing on the great brazen altar. Near this was the laver, containing the water which the priests used in the sacrifices—a great, brass bowl, forty-five feet in diam- eter, resting on the backs of twelve brass oxen. From this, the water needed in the sacrifices was taken in brass caul- drons on wheels. The porch of the main building of the Temple was adorned by two tall pillars, called Boaz and Jachin, eighteen feet in circumference, which were wonderful works of art. They were of fluted bronze, and the tops were carved with lotus blossoms and pomegranates. Reuben felt that he had had a share in these great pillars, for he had watched as they were made under the direction of his Phcenician master, and he knew each beautiful figure on their surface. He was not allowed to go farther into the Temple. Only the priests and the Levites were permitted to pass through the door of cypress wood and gold which led to the Holy Place. But he had seen enough. Now he could return home, satisfied and happy that the house of God, the place where his honor dwelt, was a fitting place of worship for the God of the whole earth. 140 JUNIOR. CHURCH SCHOOL EESSONS EXPRESSIONAL SESSION THE HOUSE OF GOD—OUR CHURCH PsalinetZ22 SUGGESTIONS. FOR THE: LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS Solomon’s ‘Temple was the first real church building which was built for God. And Solomon tried to make it the best and the most beautiful that it was possible for it to be. Nowadays we have many church buildings, instead of one Temple. But we, too, should try to make them as beautiful as possible, and have in them the very best furnishings that we can have, so that we, too, may in this way show honor to God. We should be careful of everything in the church building, knowing that it is dedicated to God. Jesus taught the people of his day to show respect for God’s house when he drove out the money changers from the Temple. We, too, should try in every way to show our respect and rever- ence for God’s house. Let us ask God’s help in doing this. THe CrLass PRAYER Our Father in heaven, help us to learn the lesson of car- ing for thy house and for the things in it which are given to thy service. We ask in the name of Jesus, who taught his followers the lesson of reverence for God’s house. Amen. Versks For UsE IN THE MEETING Psalms 11:4; 23:6; 24: 3-5; 27:4; 84; 122:1; Matthew 21:12, 13; Luke 1: 76-79; 19: 46. Hymns THAT May Bk Used In CoNNECTION WITH THE MEETING “T Love Thy Kingdom, Lord.” “To Thy Temple I Repair.” “hintersintopil is Gatesus “The Sabbath Bells Are Ringing.” } ; 4 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 141 QUESTIONS FoR USE IN THE MEETING 1. Where had God been worshiped before the Temple was built? 2. Where had he been worshiped before the tabernacle had been built ? 3. Why do we have many church buildings instead of one Temple? 4. What can you do to show reverence and respect for God’s house? 5. Is there anything that you can do to make it more beautiful ? 6. Is there anything that you can do to help to take care of it? Topics FoR DiscussION oR REPORTS How There Came to Be Churches. The Synagogues of the Jews. Caring for God’s House. Jesus and the Money Changers. How Juniors Can Show Reverence for God’s House. Beautiful Churches of Modern Times. ON ea To READ IN THE MEETING “ Whosoever thou art that enterest This church, Remember it is the house of God: Be reverent, be silent, be thoughtful; And leave it not without a prayer To God, For thyself, for those who minister, And for those who worship here.” Saint Paul’s Cathedral is nothing but a glorified quarry if Christ be out of it, and any old gypsy tent is a cathedral when Christ is in it: Christ makes the temple—Gypsy Smit’ “When Sir Christopher Wren was constructing Saint Paul’s Cathedral in London he had notices posted about 142 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS the building that any workman heard taking the name of God in vain would be instantly dismissed. Are we as care- ful to keep sacred our temples of God?” SoMETHING To Do TH1Is WEEK If there is any building or repair work to be done in your church, plan to raise some of the money needed in doing this. Help to keep the church grounds neat. Bring new pupils to Sunday school, and so help to build up the church, CHAPTER XVI WEEK DAY SESSION THE TEMPLE DEDICATED Pelinecs/iols toroceee THE MrEMorY VERSE “ Ascribe unto Jehovah the glory due unto his name: Bring an offering, and come into his courts. Oh worship Jehovah in the beauty of holiness.” —Psalm 96:8, 9 (Margin). Tue Lesson STorY For seven years the work on the great Temple of Solomon continued. At last, in November of the eleventh year of Solomon’s reign, it was completed, but it was not until the month of October (Ethanim, or Tisri), of the next year, that all things were ready for the great ceremony of dedication. Solomon sent messengers through all his territories, and iromsevery, part of (the land; )~ unto the entrance, of Hamath,” on the north, “ unto the brook of Egypt,” on the south, they hurried to Jerusalem—for who that could pos- sibly be there would miss such a great and wonderful ceremony ? David, you remember, had brought the Ark of the Cov- enant to Jerualem, but the old tabernacle, made in the wilder- ness, had been left at Gibeon. This was brought to the Temple by a solemn procession of priests and Levites. But this procession could not be compared in splendor to the procession of priests and princes and chief men who brought the Ark from the tabernacle where David had placed it on Mount Zion, to the room in Solomon’s Temple where it was to remain for almost four hundred years. Reverently the Levites must have lifted the little chest, 143 144 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS and carried it through the streets of Jerusalem, up the hill to the Temple. Again there were many sacrifices along the way, as there had been when David had brought the Ark to Jerusalem. The people, crowding in the courts, watched the Levites as they reverently passed through their midst, into the Holy Place, where they were not allowed to go. Then the Levites placed the Ark in the Holy of Holies, under the outstretched wings of the great cherubim. The staves by which it had been lifted were drawn out, as a sign that the Ark had reached a resting place; and the Levites, reverently dropping the curtain, withdrew, into the Holy Place. At this moment, a hundred and twenty trumpeters, all priests, robed in white, gave a signaling blast, and then there was a mighty outburst of music. Cymbals and psalteries and harps sounded together. Innumerable voices joined, and sang a mighty song of praise: “Oh give thanks unto Je- hovah; for he is good; for his lovingkindness endureth for ever.” And then, just as the sound of the instruments and of the voices mingled until it seemed like one great voice, there happened the most wonderful thing of all that wonderful day, for the glory of the Lord filled his house, so that even the priests and the Levites were unable to continue the service. God showed in this way his approval of the house which had been built for him, and his acceptance of it. He was pleased with the gift of his people, for in it they showed true love for him, and for his laws. HANDWORK Complete your work on the Temple model. Make some of the musical instruments used in the ceremony of dedica- tion. You can use the pictures given on pages 21 and 83, as cuides. The frames of the psalteries were made of sweet- smelling, reddish sandal wood. Color them so as to show this. NotTEBooK WorkK Write in your notebook the story of the first part of the dedication of the Temple. Practice drawing the Temple plan, until you can draw it from memory. IMAGINARY RECONSTRUCTION OF THE INTERIOR OF SOLOMON’S TEMPLE JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 145 MrEmory Work Learn the first three verses of Psalm 136, which was chanted at the time of the dedication of the Temple. Oh give thanks unto Jehovah; for he is good; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever. Oh give thanks unto the God of gods; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever. Oh give thanks unto the Lord of lords; For his lovingkindness endureth for ever. SUNDAY SESSION THE PRAYER OF SOLOMON II Chronicles 6: 12-21; 7: 1-3 THe Memory VERSE “ Jehovah, I love the habitation of thy house, And the place where thy glory dwelleth.” —Psalm 26:8. Tue LkEsson STORY In preparation for the ceremony of dedication, Solomon had erected in the middle of the inner court, a great, brazen scaffold which could be seen, above the low partition wall, in the outer court. As the Ark was placed in the Holy of Holies, Solomon ascended the scaffold. He was standing there when the glory of God’s favor showed itself, and, when the great outburst of music was hushed, he turned to his people, and blessed them. ‘Then he came forward to the great brazen altar, where he knelt, with his palms out- stretched to heaven, and prayed to God. Solomon’s prayer was a wonderful prayer. He asked for God’s blessing on the Temple and on the people. He asked a blessing even for the stranger and the foreigner who did not yet know God. He asked that the people of Israel es- pecially should obey God’s laws, but, even if they sinned, he asked for God’s mercy and forgiveness for them. As he finished his prayer, he turned again to the assembly, and urged them to keep God’s law: “Let your heart therefore 146 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS be perfect with Jehovah our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.” Then the king and all his people offered sacrifice before God—twenty-two thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. For seven days the feast continued with great rejoicing. Then came the feast of tabernacles, cele- brated each year in memory of the sojourn in the wilderness. For seven days more there was great rejoicing. On the twenty-third day of the seventh month (Ethanim), the king sent the happy peoplé homeward, “glad of heart for the goodness that Jehovah had showed... to Israel his people.” That night God came again to Solomon, as he had come before at the very beginning of his reign. Once more he promised to be with the king if he would keep his law. Once more he promised to be with the people of Israel and to bless them, if they followed his commandments. So the great dedication services were over. Life among the people of Israel went on as it had gone on before. But they never forgot those great days, and the great things that had happened to them at the time of the dedication of the Temple. Even to this day, the ceremonies of that time are spoken of among them with awe and respect, as one of the greatest and most wonderful happenings that ever came to the Jewish race. PuTrtinc THE Lksson INTo THE LIFE OF THE CLASS Sometimes, when everything goes smoothly, it seems easy to be good and obedient to God. Then we should pray, as Solomon prayed for the people of Israel, that we may always obey God and feel toward him, as we feel on “ this day.” After the great goodness and kindness that God had shown to Solomon and the people of Israel, it would seem as if they could never turn from serving him. But we who live to-day have had an even greater proof of God’s love for us in the gift of his Son. So we should love him, and serve him even better than did the people of King Solomon’s time. » JUNIOR “CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 147 King Solomon was a great and wonderful man. He did many great things. But that which was the greatest and which will be the longest remembered was the work which he did for God. That is true of us to-day as well as of Solomon. We do many things which seem to us important, but that which is really the greatest and best work is the work that we do for others, and so for God. THE LESSON TRUTH IN YOUR LIFE King Solomon asked God’s blessing on the people, and urged them to keep God’s laws. And God promised to Solo- mon that the people should be blessed if they obeyed his commandments. So we, too, shall find a blessing, if we obey God’s laws. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Try this week to make some real sacrifice for the sake of others, and so for God, remembering the words of Jesus, “Tnasmuch as ye did it unto one of these my brethren, even these least, ye did it unto me.” A Story To READ Once upon a time, so the story goes, there was a king who wanted to build a church, or abbey as it was then called, to God, in which he gave everything that was used; for which he might have all the glory. He boasted about it: “«From gilded spire to the great crypt stone, It shall be my offering, and mine alone.’ ” He had his name carved on a great, white stone in the chancel. He wanted to have all the glory of the great church for himself. But one night he had a dream; he thought that when he went into the church, he found that his name was gone. In its place was that of a woman. All through his kingdom he hunted for her, and at last he found her—a poor, old woman, who, it seemed, could not possibly have had any part in building the great abbey. 148 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL, LESSONS “What work have you done?’ the monarch said. ‘T’ve built the abbey, and asked no aid.’ “Tf the king had asked us, I often thought, I could not have given, for I have naught. But when the builders were ready to sink, I carried some water, and gave them to drink,’ ” Of course, this is only a story, but it shows that God wants us to build our churches for his honor, and not for the sake of our own fame, He wants us to give our very best for his. service, but he wants us to give for his sake, and not for our own. No matter how little and how poor a church is, it is God’s house if he is really worshiped there, and if it is the very best that we can give him. ‘‘ Whosoever shall give to,drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you he shall in no wise lose his reward.” EXPRESSIONAL SESSION DEDICATING OURSELVES TO GOD LGorinthians 1628 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER'S OPENING ADDRESS We Juniors in Sunday school cannot dedicate a Temple to God, as Solomon did, but we can dedicate ourselves to his service. "The Apostle Paul, in his Letter to the Corinthians, says, “Ye are a temple of God.” We can dedicate this temple of our lives to his service. We can try to do as he would have us do, always, giving ourselves and all we have to him, to use as he will. All we have and are really belongs to him; we should use it in his service. Let us ask God to help us to serve him gladly and willingly, so that he may be pleased to accept our service. THrE CLASS PRAYER Our Father who art in heaven, although we cannot build a Temple in thy honor, we can dedicate ourselves to thy service. Help us to be truly thy children. Amen. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 149 VERSES FoR UsE IN THE MEETING Joshua 24:15, 24; I Samuel 1:27, 28; Isaiah 6:8; Jere- miah 1:7, 8; Matthew 9:9; I Peter 2:5, 6. Hymns THAT May Br Usep In CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING mebakerviy | trend letiti Bes’ “Just As I Am, Thine Own to Be.” “ How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds.” “Angel Voices Ever Singing.” QUESTIONS FoR Use IN THE MEETING 1. How was Samuel dedicated to God’s service? 2. How are children to-day dedicated to God’s service? 3. Why do we “ join the Church?” 4. How can Juniors show that they love God, and want oe S to give themselves to his service? Topics For Discussion or REPoRTS The Dedication of Solomon’s Temple. The Three Temples of the Jews. Dedicating Ourselves to God. Why We Are Baptized. Joining the Church. . Our Love for the Church of God. SN Sn gmat SOE To READ IN THE MEETING Give yourself to the service of God, and he will show you the way in which you can best do his will. “Take my life, and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to thee; Take my moments and my days; Let them flow in ceaseless praise; “Take my hands, and let them move At the impulse of thy love; Take my feet, and let them be Swift and beautiful for thee. “Take my will, and make it shine; It shall be no longer mine, Take my heart, it is thine own; It shall be thy royal throne.” CHAPTER XVII WEEK DAY SESSION KING SOLOMON IN ALL HIS GLORY I Kings 7: 1-12; 10: 12-29; Ecclesiastes 1:12; 2: 4-9 Tue Memory VERSE “ Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: yet I say unto you, that even Solo- mon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.”— Matthew 6: 28, 29. THE Lesson Story Besides the great Temple for the worship of God, Solomon built many other buildings. One of the greatest of these was his own palace, which it took thirteen years to finish—a great stone and cedar building, on the hill below the Temple, with which it was connected by a stairway of precious red sandalwood. Here was the great audience hall where the king gave judgment in the disputes of his people, and here was the great lion throne made of ivory overlaid with gold, mounted by six steps, with golden lions at the sides of each step, and at the top where the king sat in state. Then, too, Solomon had another beautiful palace at Etam, near Bethlehem, and a summer house in the mountains of Lebanon. He built waterworks near Jerusalem; he fortified the city ; he strengthened other cities of his kingdom. Solomon had glittering chariots, too, brought from Egypt. The historian Josephus tells us that his own chariot was drawn by swift and stately horses, with beautiful trappings. It was followed by a train of archers in purple garments on war horses. ‘These young men were chosen as mem- bers of the king’s bodyguard on account of their size and good looks, and as they galloped along after their master, “their long black hair flowed behind them, powdered with gold dust, which glittered in the sun. 150 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 19) Solomon had great navies which sailed the Mediterranean Sea as far as Spain; “ivory, and apes, and peacocks,” and sandalwood were brought from the Far East. Long lines of camels and dromedaries came into the city, loaded with gold and incense. Everywhere there was peace and prosperity, so that silver was in Jerusalem “as stones,” and cedar trees “as the sycomore-trees.” All these wonderful things came to the Jews because they were God’s people, worshiping him in ways that pleased him. Truly they knew the words of the psalmist, “ Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah.” HANDWORK Perhaps you would like to have a cabinet in your class- room, where you could keep “treasures”? such as Solomon | brought from all the corners of the earth. See how many of these things you can bring together; and label them with the names of some of the places from which they were brought. BCCCIOUSASLOLICS “TLOl ae shite spon)... Is Chronicless 910 leer Olle eee ee eele ei ak ten oe PelsinosemOnecs SO ICC OM TOIT C0 eC SCY ce te eet § ipkings e102 LET GRUOSRNY oemap een c Ae orc e SeE mee Pekinesel a2 PAL COMELOLIM PO ie eters oes ee hora & Tekangsml O22 EG COC GM TOIn fous trees sole I Kings 10:22 Cod yea Iman at cesemtteay Mon Neen ns ar Ue Deisingsamoa.G Algum wood (citron) from........II Chronicles 9:10 SIMCESLEOIIIN Vranas eee dsc /olp I Kings 10:22 (COREMSVOLES: JURONED GAR AR hae eae le cee I Kings 10:29 HLOUSC OMT OU Mpanpitrs Pattee ie nian tele ve, I Kings 10:28 Notrspook Work Write a story of what a boy or a girl of Solomon’s day would see in the streets of Jerusalem. Perhaps you will like to pretend that you are watching the arrival of the Queen of Sheba. MrEmory WorkK Solomon was one of the richest men in the world; and yet he told us in his Proverbs of something that is better than 152 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS riches. Learn these words: ‘A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.” To READ IN THE MEETING “There went out a great fame all around the neighboring countries, which proclaimed the virtue and wisdom of Solo- mon, insomuch that all the kings everywhere were desirous to see him, as not giving eredit to what was reported, on account of it being almost incredible; they also demonstrated the regard they had for him, by the presents they made him; for they sent him vessels of gold, and silver, and purple gar- ments, and many sorts of spices, and horses, and chariots, and as many mules for his carriages as they could find proper to please the king’s eyes, by their strength and beauty. This addition that he made to those chariots and horses which he had before from these that were sent him, augmented the | number of his chariots to above four hundred, for he had a thousand before, and augmented the number of his horses by two thousand, for he had twenty thousand before. ‘These horses also were so much exercised, in order to their making a fine appearance, and running swiftly, that no others could upon the comparison appear either finer or swifter, but they were at once the most beautiful of all others, and their swift- ness was incomparable also. Their riders also were a farther ornament to them, being in the first place young men in the most delightful flower of their age, and being eminent for their largeness, and far taller than other men. They had also very long heads of hair hanging down, and were clothed in garments of Tyrian purple. They had also dust of gold every day sprinkled on their hair, so that their heads sparkled with the reflection of the sunbeams from the gold. The king himself rode upon a chariot in the midst of these men, who were still in armor, and had their bows fitted to them. He had on a white garment; and used to take his progress out of the city in the morning. ‘There was a cer- tain place about fifty furlongs distant from Jerusalem, which is called Etham; very pleasant it is in fine gardens, and abounding in rivulets of water ; thither did he used to go out in the morning, sitting on high (in his chariot) .”—JosEPHUs. | | JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 153 SUNDAY SESSION Ee Sle OH EEL OU BHINIOD SHEBA I Kings 10: 1-10, 13 Tue Memory VERSE “ Blessed is the nation whose God is Jehovah.” —Psalm 33: 12. THe Lesson STORY Reports of Solomon’s glory spread far. All over the world his glory and his riches were known. ‘The story came to the ears of the Queen of Sheba, who probably ruled over what is now a part of Arabia. The name of this queen is not given in the Bible, but in some other ancient writings she is called Balkis. She came to Jerusalem with a great train of camels, loaded with spices and jewels and gold, as presents to the king. She wanted to test him with hard questions. But his wisdom was so great that she could not “ catch” him. Always he solved the riddles which she set for him to answer. He showed her all the wonders of his palace and of his city and of the Temple, and she was amazed at his greatness. ‘“T had heard great things of your glory and your riches,” she said, ‘‘and I did not believe the stories that I heard. I came to see for myself. And, behold, the half was not told me: your wisdom and prosperity are greater even than Teueardy: Then she blessed God, who had done so much for Solo- mon. They exchanged presents, and she turned homeward with her servants, happy in finding out about the greatness of Solomon—and better than that, about the greatness of Solomon’s God. PuTtTING THE Lesson INTO THE LIFE OF THE Cr,Ass The Queen of Sheba came from a long distance to learn of Solomon and of Solomon’s God. We should try to learn of God, and to worship him! The Queen of Sheba brought gifts to Solomon, So we can 154 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS bring gifts to our King, offering him the best that we have to offer. And in return he will give to us blessings that are far greater gifts than those which Solomon gave to the Queen of Sheba. The Queen of Sheba was astonished at the wonders of the kingdom of Solomon. The wonders of God’s Kingdom are greater by far than those of the kingdom of Solomon. “ Seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” THe Lesson TRUTH IN Your LIFE The Queen of Sheba brought rich gifts to Solomon, although he was so rich. It was her way of expressing her admiration for the great king. So we can give our gifts to God. He does not need them for himself but they can be used in the advancement of God’s Kingdom on earth, and our giving them expresses our devotion to God. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Plan some gift which you and your fellow pupils can make for God’s service. This will be a gift to God, the King, because it is a gift to others for his sake. How THE QUEEN OF SHEBA ‘TESTED SOLOMON’s WISDOM The Bible does not tell us how the Queen of Sheba tested Solomon’s wisdom, or what were the “ hard questions ” that she asked him, but there are many old legends about this. One of her tests, it is said, was to dress a number of girls and boys in the same way, and to ask Solomon to tell the girls from the boys. He ordered basins of water to be brought, and bade the boys and girls wash their hands. The boys at once put their hands into the water ; the girls stopped to turn back their sleeves. Next the queen offered to the king two beautiful bouquets —one of artificial flowers, the others of real flowers. Which was which? Solomon ordered that a window be opened and bees came in. Of course, they settled on the real flowers, and so showed the difference, JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 155 She brought with her a precious stone, drilled with a crooked hole. She asked him to thread it, and he sent through the hole, a worm, attached to which was a thread. Perhaps stories such as these seem foolish ways of prov- ing the wisdom of the greatest and wisest king in the world; but people have told them about Solomon and the Queen of Sheba, for hundreds of years, and perhaps she may have asked him to answer such questions as these, as well as those which were more important. EXPRESSIONAL SESSION HOW WE SHOULD TREAT FOREIGNERS I Kings 8: 41-43 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS The Queen of Sheba in her far-off home heard of the greatness of Solomon’s God, and she came, a stranger in a strange land, to learn the truth. Solomon had prayed for strangers when he dedicated the Temple. He received her gladly, and told her of the true God; when she went home- ward, she exclaimed, “ Blessed be Jehovah thy God!” We, too, in this great United States, have many strangers among us. Even in our schools, we have boys and girls from foreign lands, who do not know our language, or our cus- toms. Do we treat them as we ought to treat them? Are we kind and thoughtful of them, or do we forget that God loves them, just as he loves you and me; that they are our brothers and sisters? Let us ask God to help us to treat kindly the strangers who come to our land, and who some- times seem so strange to us only because we do not under- stand one another’s language. THE CLAss PRAYER Our Father in heaven, help us to be kind to the strangers who are among us, to help them in every way that we can. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. 156 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS VERSES FoR USE IN THE MEETING Exodus 12:49; 22:21; 23:9; Leviticus 19:33; Deuter- onomy 10:19; Matthew 25:35. | Hymns tHat May Br Usep IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING Songs of Various Nations. “Love Thyself Last.” “ America Befriend?” “O Beautiful, My Country.” QUESTIONS For USE IN THE MEETING 1. How did Solomon treat strangers who came to Israel? 2. How does ‘the American Government treat the stranger, or immigrant, who comes to our land? 3. How do you treat the foreigner in your school? 4. How can you help the foreign boy or girl who knows very little English? 5. Name some blessings which America owes to foreigners. Topics FOR DISCUSSION OR REPORTS 1. Some Great Foreigners, and What They Have Done for Our Country. What Foreigners Can Teach Us. Foreign Boys and Girls in Our School. America’s Welcome to Foreigners. The Stranger Within Our Gates. Helping Foreigners to Become Americans. SUA Set) To READ IN THE MEETING The fact that a boy or a girl does not speak English does not mean that he is stupid. Perhaps you would seem stupid, too, if you suddenly found yourself going to school in China, or in Italy, or in Norway, where none of the boys and girls could understand what you said, and you could not under- stand what they said. Be careful not to laugh at the blunders of foreigners. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 157 Remember that you would probably make blunders, too, if you were in their land. “God save America! Here may all races Mingle together, as children of God, Founding an empire on brotherly kindness, Equal in liberty, made in one blood.” “God of the strong, God of the weak, Lord of all lands, and our own land, Light of all souls, from thee we seek, Light from thy light, strength from thy hand.” How You Can HELP Call upon new boys and girls who have moved into the neighborhood. Be especially kind to any foreign boy or girl in your school. Teach the foreign-born boys and girls in school, your games, and learn theirs. Remember that a smile can be understood, even although words cannot. Take my love; my Lord, I pour At thy feet its treasure-store. Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all for thee. —Frances R. HAVERGAL, SoME Ways oF SHOWING THAT You REALLY LOVE Gop AND Hts CHurcH Come regularly to the church services. Bring others to church with you. Act in a reverent way at every church service. Take some part. Sing in the Junior choir, if you can sing; help to distribute papers; gather materials for missionary work. Help the work of the Church by your gifts and your prayers, ee ie OL ae re cane thy A A ae ] r aT pee One { . } 4 , 4 a uh t 1 ee ep } . ; 7 aL Gy ub oe i f heel Wee NAF : ‘ . , P i * ~ , Pe y, ‘ \ Is acted ee la Ab ae iW i Tee Ay tliat al 0 " ARs v i ey ae Pein i ' i —y Fé) cae { j A : ¥ 4 owt t ‘ { i & eer 4 ‘ ' ’ & - . * wel ’ fet. 4 ' 7) ‘ j A if , J ‘ i ‘ <1 4 . 1 ¢ i eal ‘ AY ’ ry a > Pr = 7 a 4 4. ( eas ‘ 4) i ~ yi ee tate L po \ ’ i) ‘ a) py ; A amy | ** < . 4 ; ’ 7 oe ‘ * \ : ' : f : i + ‘ * ’ 1 “ + ~ nt 4 i ‘ i N 5 “ ' U . i ‘ s ] - 2 j tr ’ : ‘ f , 33 A { ‘ ‘ , . hy : mAs tf ; - ‘ , —' ‘ ® y * THE DIVIDED KINGDOM CHAPTER XVIII WEEK DAY SESSION WHY THE KINGDOM WAS DIVIDED I Kings 11: 4-13, 26-31 THe Memory VERSE “ Seek ye first his kingdom, and his righteousness ; and all these things shall be added unto you.’’—Matthew 6: 33. THE Lesson SToRY You would have thought that after all the great and won- derful things that God had given to Solomon he would never have ceased to worship Jehovah and serve him. But Solo- mon did this very thing. His kingdom became great and powerful; he was the wisest man in the world, the richest man in the world. And yet, as he became older, he chose his own way more and more; he forgot God’s way. There were several reasons for this. In the first place, in order to make his power with foreign nations greater, he had married princesses of nations whose people did not worship the true God. And he had allowed these princesses to bring with them, into God’s chosen land, their heathen images. Even just outside of Jerusalem, on the Mount of Olives, there were altars to heathen gods—the strange, horrible, figures which it seems to us that no one could have thought had any power. The Phcenicians, for instance, in spite of their skill as workers in metal, and as sailors, worshiped Ashtoreth, or Astarte, the goddess of the moon. Baal was the sun god. Molech, or Moloch, who is also called Milcom, was the fire god, to whom people sacrificed little children. Molech’s statue was the huge, seated figure of a man with the head of a bull. Inside this statue a fire was built, and when it was red hot, children were placed in its arms to be burned to death. Chemosh was a god of the Moabites; Dagon was the fish god of the Philistines; and there were many others. 161 162 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS And Solomon, who had built the great and wonderful Temple to the true God, whose image he was forbidden to make, not only allowed his wives and children to serve these horrible idols, but worshiped them himself. On one part of the Mount of Olives, which for years has been called “ The Mount of Offense,” altars were built to the gods of the heathen and there Solomon and his wives worshiped, instead of in the beautiful ‘Temple. God was grieved because of Solomon’s sin. He knew that he was no longer fit to be king. Once more God came to the king in a dream and warned him that the kingdom must be taken away from his family. Solomon himself should reign as long as he lived, but his descendants should have only a part of the land which was to have belonged to the descendants of David if they had behaved in the right way. And so there was trouble for Solomon in the last days of his life. He had three great enemies who brought trouble to the kingdom. One of these enemies was Hadad, of Edon; another was Rezon, a brave general from Damascus. But the enemy most to be feared was a man in Solomon’s own kingdom, whose name was Jeroboam. Jeroboam was an Ephraimite—that is, a descendant of Joseph. He had been a poor young man, for the Bible tells us that he was the son of a widow. But by his own hard work and skill he had become a leader, and one of the chief workmen in building the fortifications of Jerusalem. He had charge of the Ephraimites who were compelled to work on the walls. These people did not live in Jerusalem, and it made them very angry to have to do this work. They were ready to rebel, and knew that Jeroboam would be a good leader. It was just about this time that God spoke to the prophet Ahijah, and told him to carry a message to Jeroboam. Ahijah went to the young man, wearing a new outside robe. As he reached Jeroboam, he pulled off the robe and tore it into strips—twelve of them. He told Jeroboam to take ten pieces, for, he said, “ God had given you ten tribes of Solo- mon’s kingdom to rule over.” So Jeroboam knew that God had great work for him to do. He knew that the time had not yet come, however, and so JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 163 he waited. Because Solomon was jealous of him, it was necessary for him to go to Egypt, where he stayed until he heard that King Solomon was dead after a reign of forty years. So God planned to take away part of the kingdom which Solomon had lost by his foolish choice when he was an old man. HANDWORK In connection with this lesson, make a collection of all the idols that you can find, that are worshiped by heathen people of the present day, as well as those of the past. Per- haps you can find only pictures of some of them, but you may be able to procure some little figures which you can put in your curio cabinet that represents the reign of Solomon. NoteBook WorK Write in your notebook the story of “ The Sad Conclusion of a Reign Which Began Most Gloriously.” Mrmory Work A famous American poet, Sidney Lanier, wrote a poem in which he tells our country how long it will prosper. If Solomon and the people of Israel had followed the advice of this poem, they, too, would have been a more prosperous people. Learn this poem: Now praise to God’s oft-granted grace, Now praise to man’s undaunted face, Despite the land, despite the sea, I was: I am: and I shall be— How long, good angel, oh, how long? Sing me from heaven a man’s own song! “Long as thine Art shall love true love, Long as thy Science truth shall know, Long as thine Eagle harms no Dove, Long as thy Law by law shall grow, Long as thy God is God above, Thy brother every man below, So long, dear Land of all my love, Thy name shall shine, thy fame shall glow!” (Abridged) 164 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS SUNDAY SESSION REHOBOAM AND HIS RIVAL JEROBOAM I Kings 12: 1-24 Tur Memory VERSE “A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.” ‘ —Proverbs 15:1. Tur Lesson Story King Solomon, with all his glory, died about the year 931 8B. c. He had reigned for forty years, as had his father, King David. And, as in David’s case, also, the last years of his reign had been sad on account of his disobedience. Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, was his heir. At the time of his father’s death, he was forty-one years old. His mother was a heathen Ammonitess named Maacah. Rehoboam did not inherit the wisdom of his father. He showed this even before he was made king by the people. Rehoboam was to be crowned in the old city of Shechem —the city near which Abraham had camped; where Jacob had bought ground; where Joseph had been sent to look for his brothers. It lay far north of Jerusalem in a valley be- tween two high mountains. It was just on the edge of the land which belonged to the Ephraimites—the tribe of which Jeroboam was a member. Quick messengers had gone to Jeroboam in Egypt, just as soon as Solomon was dead, and already he was at Shechem, waiting to see what was going to happen. The people sent a message to Rehoboam. They told him that the taxes which his father, Solomon, had made them pay, were too heavy, and that the work which they had to do was too hard. ‘They asked him to make their lives easier for them. Rehoboam did the first and only wise thing that we hear about him. He told the people to return in three days. He sent for the old men, his father’s counselors, and asked their advice. ‘They gave him good counsel. He should try to make the burdens of the people lighter, and make taxes less. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 165 This advice, however, did not please Rehoboam. He asked the advice of the younger men. ‘They were proud and haughty, as he was. They cared nothing for the people. “Tell them that they shall work harder than ever,” was their counsel. And so Rehoboam spoke cruel words to the men who came back to him on the third day. There was, in those days, a heavy whip, made of strips of leather with a sharp bit of iron on each strip. When a bare back was struck with this whip, it stung as a scorpion stings. A scorpion is a small animal, which stings with its tail. This whip was sometimes used to make men work harder, : ay “My father made you work with whips,” he said, “but I will add to your burdens. I will whip you with scorpions.” The proud men of Israel could not endure this threat. At once they rose in rebellion, shouting the old war cry of Israel: “To: your tents, O Israel. What have we to do with Davicitce With Jeroboam as their leader they left the city without crowning the proud king. As the prophet Ahijah had told Jeroboam, ten tribes went with him. Only the tribe of Judah remained true to Rehoboam, and the little tribe of Benjamin, which was too weak to count. Rehoboam, by his foolishness, had lost the kingdom even before he began to reign. If he had shown wisdom, God might have given him a chance, but he was unfit to be the leader of God’s chosen people. Purtinc THE Lesson Into THE Lire oF THE CLAss Great and unhappy results often follow an attack of bad temper and a few angry words. Control your temper, and you yourself will be happier, as well as those about you. 168 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 4. Taking Advice. 5. Profiting by the Example of Others. 6. How Juniors May Learn from Others. To THINK ABOUT IN THE MEETING Your teacher has told you that in preparation for exam- ination in day school, it will be well for you to review a cer- tain chapter in your history book. John, your friend, says: “Oh, come out to play ball. You know that well enough! ” Who has given you the best advice? Who knows what is wisest? What do you do? To READ IN THE MEETING “ Many receive advice; only the wise profit by it.” The best ad viccrorollt will heatotnd me near hie “The chief want in life is somebody who will make us do the best we can.”—EFmerson. “Whatever mine ears can hear, Whatever mine eyes can see In nature so bright with beauty and light, Has a message of love for me.” “Tf wisdom’s ways you wisely seek, Five things observe with care: To whom you speak, of whom you speak, And how, and when and where.” “The Holy Spirit cometh To every little child Whose heart is ever ready To hear his whisper mild.” SOMETHING To Do THis WEEK Find examples in what you read and hear of people who did not listen to the advice of others. In your own life try to notice how it works out if you do as your father and mother tell you, or if you do not do these things. Keep a little record from day to day. CHAP TH REX LX WEEK DAY SESSION THE NORTHERN KINGDOM OF ISRAEL I Kings 16: 23-33 THE MreMory VERSE “O Israel, trust thou in Jehovah.”—Psalm 115: 9. THE LkEsson StTory King Jeroboam had a chance to establish a great kingdom, and to do a great work in the world. But Jeroboam, like so many of the men and women about whom we have studied had a choice to make—and he chose wrong. He did not choose to serve the true God, but turned the people to the worship of idols, so that he has been known ever since those days as Jeroboam, who “made Israel to sin.” He reigned for twenty-two years, I Kings 14:20, and then died. His son Nadab next became king, but he, too, made the wrong choice, and so after a reign of only two years, he was killed by a conspirator named Baasha, who killed also all of the family of Jeroboam, and made himself ruler. I Kings Lo eZ 29, Baasha, too, was wicked. After a reign of twenty-four years he died, and was followed by his son Elah. Ejlah reigned about two years, and then the throne was seized by Zimri, the captain of the war chariots. All of Baasha’s family were killed, but this did not give to Zimri a perma- nent possession of the throne, for after seven days he, too, was attacked by Omri, the captain of the army, and burned to death in the king’s palace. For a time there was civil war among the people of Israel, but Omri was a strong man and he won out and established himself upon the throne. He bought the hill called Samaria, for two talents of silver, and there he made his capital, which 169 170 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS he called Samaria from the name of the former owner, Shemer. Omri was a strong king, but he was wicked. He followed the example of the wicked Jeroboam, and when he died after a reign of twelve years, he left the kingdom of Israel to his wicked son Ahab, who, the Bible says, “ did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah above all that were before him.” - A PossiBLE PROJECT For some time you are to study the history of the Divided Kingdom of the people of Israel. It will be interesting to q make a list of the kings of the two kingdoms, Israel and Judah. Ona new page of your notebook, draw a map show- ing which part of the Holy Land belonged to Israel, the Northern Kingdom, and which part belonged to Judah, the Southern Kingdom. ‘Then make a table something like this, JUNIOR VCHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 171 which will tell you how long each king of each kingdom reigned. Supply the length of time from the references. IS RABE KING REIGNED eee) GL OUOA TAS eu ike y's ose. years, I Kings 14: 20. BPMN AU AD aM We lee ie certs ss yearsua ebelsingsy) lo .255 Ue aAStidee wer etka es ees VealS mee sos HOW: ab IRAE MAR eS ana ee years. I Kings 16:8. Dye ibaabe Gy PO Ie Ue ea ae yearsn..lakings 16 2:15. MeRCITIC I; pare ee Mat Sel A Vearsn wiMhInvsm Geo. On another sheet start in the same way a list of the kings of Judah. You see that the kings of Judah had longer reigns than those of Israel. JUDAH KING REIGNED LWeeCCLODOATI ae © diets lens: years, 111 Chronicles) 12; 13. ROAD ATMs nl Wee Vode eer INnos hoes ee SA aise DO 1 ot ae vearsnes) LoKimgselorslO; HLANDWORK AND Map Work Draw, or model, a map which shows the parts of the Holy Land which belonged to the Northern Kingdom of Israel and to the Southern Kingdom of Judah. NotKsBook WorK Do the work suggested under “ A Possible Project.” Mermory Work Learn the names of the first six kings of Israel. ie JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS SUNDAY SESSION KING AHAB AND THE PROPHET ELIJAH I Kings, chapter 17 THe Memory VERSE “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” ‘ —Psalm 46:1. Tue Lesson STORY Ahab, the son of Omri, had followed his father as king of Israel. Omri had bought a hill called Samaria, and here he built his capital city. It was in Samaria that Ahab ruled, with his wife Jezebel, the daughter of Eth-baal, the heathen king of the Sidonians. Things had reached a sad state in the kingdom of Israel. No longer did king or people worship the true God. Every- where there were altars to the gods of the heathen. Jezebel was a devoted worshiper of Baal, the Phoenician god of the sun, and of Astarte, the goddess of the moon. She and Ahab had built a great temple to these gods in Samaria. There were four hundred and fifty priests of Baal in the court, and four hundred priests of Astarte. It seemed as if almost everyone in Israel had forgotten the worship of the true God. : And then suddenly something happened. A strange figure appeared before the king—a man dressed in a mantle of rough skin, with the long hair that showed he had been vowed to the service of the true God. He appeared before the king with a terrible message. “As Jehovah, the God of Israel, liveth, before whom I stand,” he said, “there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” Then, as mysteriously as he had appeared, he disappeared. Although Ahab’s messengers hunted for him everywhere, he could not be found. However, the drought came as he prophesied. Every day the sun rose clear in the east. Every day it blazed hot in the clear blue sky. There was never a cloud, never a drop of ee Copyrighted by Harold Copping. Harold Copping. ELIJAH AND AHAB a - 25 a Y wi JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 173 rain, not even a drop of dew. For more than two years this continued. And all this time King Ahab was searching, searching, searching for the man who had foretold these things. In the meanwhile Elijah was obeying God’s commands. From Ahab’s presence he went to a little brook named Cherith, east of the Jordan River. Here he hid among the rocks. At God’s command, each day the great ravens of the region brought him food, and the little brook supplied him with water. At last even the little mountain brook dried up on account of the drought. Then God spoke once more to Elijah, and told him to go to Zarephath, near the city of Sidon, the very stronghold of Queen Jezebel, Elijah’s greatest enemy. Here again God’s care for Elijah was shown. As he came to the city, he saw just outside the gate a poor widow gath- ering sticks. He asked her for a little water to drink. She started immediately to get it, and he made one more request —‘ Bring me, I pray thee, a morsel of bread in thy hand.” She answered that she had only a handful of meal left in her barrel, only a drop of oil in her cruse—that she was just gathering a little wood, to make a fire with which to bake one last cake for herself and her son. ‘Then they must starve to death. Once more Elijah asked her to make a cake for him. He told her that the jar of meal should not be emptied, nor should the oil fail until the drought was over. ‘There must have been something convincing in his words, for she obeyed him. First she made a cake for the prophet. ‘There was still enough meal for a cake for herself and her son! Even when she had made this, there was still meal in the jar, and oil in the bottle! And so it was, as Elijah had foretold, dur- ing all the time of drought and famine. One more wonderful thing we are told that Elijah did for the widow of Zarephath. Her son was taken ill, and finally died. She asked the prophet for help. He, in turn asked God for help. He carried the child into his own room. He prayed to the Lord earnestly. And God granted his request, so that the boy was restored to life, and his mother became a follower of the true God. So Elijah the prophet lived quietly among his enemies, 174 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS while all the people of Israel were looking for him, longing to have him appear among them, and to put an end to the terrible drought. PuTTING THE LkEsson INtTo THE LIFE OF THE CLASS God’s promises are always fulfilled. Punishment always follows sin. He had warned the people of Israel long before what would happen, if they turned from serving him to serv- ing other gods’ Deteranomy Liston ly e237 ones God took care of his obedient messenger, Elijah, as he | will always take care of all those who obey him, and try to do his will. The widow of Zarephath thought that she was sharing her last bit of food with the prophet. But God sent more food in a miraculous way. He is pleased when we share our good things with others. . THE LEsson TRUTH IN YouR LIFE This lesson truth is expressed in the following hymn: “Be not dismayed, whate’er betide, God will take care of you; Beneath his wings of love abide, God will take care of you. CHoRUS “God will take care of you, Through ev’ry day, o’er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you. “All you may need he will provide, God ‘will take care of you; Nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you.” EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY One of the ways in which God took care of Elijah was through the widow of Zarephath. Perhaps he wants you to JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 175 help him to care for some of his messengers by sharing some of your good things. Find some way of doing this. To READ WITH THE LESSON There is a legend of the far north which tells a story that is like that of the widow of Zarephath and yet different. It has been put into verse by the poet Phoebe Cary. She tells of a traveler, who came, after days of weary journeying to the cottage of a widow. He came to the door of a cottage, In traveling round the earth, Where a little woman was making cakes, And baking them on the hearth. And being faint with fasting, For the day was almost done, He asked her, from her store of cakes, To give him a single one. So she made a very little cake, But as it baking lay She looked at it, and thought it seemed Too large to give away. Therefore she kneaded another, And still a smaller one; But it looked when she turned it over, As large as the first had done. Then she took a tiny scrap of dough, And rolled and rolled it flat; And baked it thin as a wafer— But she couldn’t part with that. For she said, “ My cakes that seem too small When I eat of them myself, Are yet too large to give away,” So she put them on the shelf. And he said, “ You are far too selfish To dwell in human form, To have both food and shelter, And fire to keep you warm: 176 JUNIOR CHURCH SS CHOOMLESSONS “ Now you shall build as the birds do, And shall get your scanty food By boring, and boring, and boring, All day in the hard, dry wood.” Then up she went through the chimney, Never speaking a word, And out of the top flew a woodpecker, For she was changed to a bird. She had a scarlet cap on her head, And that was left the same, All the rest of her clothes were burned Black as a coal in the flame. And every country schoolboy Has seen her in the wood; Where she lives in the trees till this very day, Boring and boring for food. And this is the lesson she teaches: Live not for yourself alone, Lest the needs you will not pity, Shall one day be your own. Give plenty of what is given to you, Listen to pity’s call; Don’t think the little you give is great, And the much you get is small. EXPRESSIONAL SESSION GOD'S CARE FOR ALL REOPREERS Matthew 15: 22-28 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS The prophet Elijah took refuge in the city of Zarephath, which is in the land of the Phceenicians. ‘There he stayed in the home of a poor widow. God showed his care for this poor widow and her son, as well as for the prophet in sup- plying them with food during all the days of the famine. Over eight hundred years later a poor woman who lived in the same country of Phcenicia came to Jesus and asked JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 177 for help for her daughter, who was ill. And Jesus cured her daughter, because he saw that the woman’s faith in him was great. God loved these two heathen mothers; he loved the son of the widow of Zarephath whom Elijah restored to life, the daughter of the Phcenician woman whom Jesus cured of ill- ness. He loves all the people of the world, and wants them to know of him. And the last message of Jesus to his fol- lowers was, “ Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel unto the whole creaton.” He wants us, too, to give his mes- sage to the world, to help to spread the good tidings in every way. THE CLASS PRAYER Our Father in heaven, help us to help to give the message of thee to all the people of the world, that they, too, may know of thee, and thy love for them. Amen. Hymns THAt May Br Usep. In CoNNECTION WITH THE MEETING “Light of the Lonely Pilgrim’s Heart.” “Christ for the World We Sing.” “ Ye Christian Heralds, Go Proclaim.” “Thy Kingdom Come, O God.” “ Jesus Shall Reign Where’er the Sun.” VERSES FoR USE IN THE MEETING Honanet 100 LaMar: 162155 Matthew W728 219,520; I John 4: 19. QUESTIONS FoR USE IN THE MEETING 1. Locate Phoenicia, and its two chief cities, Tyre and Sidon. 2. What connection was there between David and Solo- mon, and the land of the Phoenicians ? 3. To what land other than Palestine did Jesus go, when Ne in baby? When he was grown up? (Matthew 2: 14; 178 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 4. How did God show his love for the people of- the world? (John 3:16.) 5. What is our part in giving the message to the world? 6. How can Juniors help in missionary work °° ‘Topics FOR DISCUSSION OR REPORTS 1. The Widow of Zarephath and the Syrophcenician Woman. 2. Jesus’ Only Journeys Outside the Land of Palestine. 3. Jesus’ Last Words to His Followers. 4. How Juniors Can Help in Spreading the Good Tidings. 5. Why We Believe in Missions. 6. Missionaries Whom We Know. 7. The Board of Foreign Missions. 8. The Board of National Missions. To READ IN THE MEETING God wants the people of the world to know of him. His only messengers are those of us who have already heard the good tidings. It is our work to tell others of him. Missionaries give their lives to God’s work. We who re- main at home must help them with our offerings and our prayers. Have you ever thought that perhaps you might some day be a missionary? When you are planning for your future, think of this. The Presbyterian Church has two great Mission Boards— the Board of Foreign Missions and the Board of National Missions. ‘The missionary work of the church is done under the charge of these two Boards. There are more than fifteen hundred American mission- aries working in foreign countries under the Presbyterian Church. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 179 There are more than sixteen hundred missionaries work- ing in our own country under the Presbyterian Church. SoMETHING TO Do THis WEEK Have a meeting of the class in which you plan a mission- ary gift for some missionary either at home or in a foreign land. Make a collection of lesson cards, picture rolls, lesson story papers and so on, to be used by some missionary. Have a missionary society, CHAPTER XX - WEEK DAY SESSION THE CONTEST ON MOUNT CARMEL I Kings 18: 1-39 THE Memory VERSE “And Elijah came near unto all the people, and said, How long go ye limping between the two sides? if Jehovah be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.”—I Kings 18: 21. THE LEsson STorY At last, in the third year of the drought, God spoke once more to Elijah, telling him to leave his safe refuge in Zarephath, and go once more to the territory of King Ahab. The people of Israel were in a sad state. No rain or dew had fallen for more than two years. Brooks and streams had dried up. Fields were parched and burned, and even the king was seeking far and wide for a bit of green pasture land which would supply grass for his horses and mules. Now it happened that the governor of the king’s house- hold, a man named Obadiah, was a worshiper of the true God. At the time when Jezebel had killed many of God’s prophets he had hidden fifty of them in a cave, and had fed them. Of course King Ahab knew nothing about this. He trusted Obadiah, and in the search for grass, he had sent Obadiah in one direction while he himself went in another way. It was Obadiah whom Elijah first met when he re- turned to Israel. “Tell the king that I am here,” commanded the prophet. At first Obadiah was afraid, but at last he obeyed Elijah and reported to the king that the prophet was at hand. Ahab must have been furiously angry when he saw Elijah. “So you have come back, you troubler of Israel?” he said. 180 Copyrighted by The Providence Lithograph Co. ELIJAH AND THE PROPHETS OF BAAL - JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 181 “T have not troubled Israel,” Elijah answered him boldly. “It is you who have done this, since you have turned from the worship of the true God to Baal worship.” Then the prophet proposed a test. The four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of the Asherah were to assemble at a high mountain peak to the northwest, Mount Carmel. There the test was to be made. From all parts of Israel the people came together. Elijah spoke to them in stirring words: “ How long will you hesi- tate between two opinions?” he asked. “ If Jehovah be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him.” The people did not answer a single word. Not one of them stepped forward bravely and said that he served the true God. Is it any wonder, then, that Elijah felt that he was the only person in Israel who served Jehovah, that he stood all alone for the right? And yet he did not hesitate. He gave his commands ex- actly. He gave every advantage to his foes. First he had two bullocks brought, to be sacrificed. He gave the first choice to the priests of Baal. They were to prepare the ani- mal for sacrifice, and to lay the wood for a fire. They were to place the animal on the wood, but they were not to kindle any fire. He would do the same. The God who answered by fire would be the true God. And all the people, listening, agreed that the test was good. The prophets of Baal could not refuse such a test, with all the people watching. They prepared the animal as Elijah had proposed, and called upon the name of Baal. From morning until noon they called; they gashed their flesh with knives ; they cried aloud. But still there was no answer. Elijah mocked them, and his mockery made them more furious than ever. They continued in their mad calling upon their god until the time of the evening sacrifice—three o’clock in the afternoon. And still there was no answer. Then, when the time came when God-fearing Jews said their evening prayer, Elijah made his preparations. He took all possible pains to show that there was no trickery in what he did. First he built up the altar, using twelve stones to equal the number of the tribes of Israel. He dug a trench about the altar. He put the wood in place; he laid the bullock 182 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS upon the wood. ‘Then he ordered four barrels full of water. This was poured over the sacrifice. ‘Three times this was done, so that twelve barrels full in all were poured over the animal, and the altar, and they were thoroughly drenched. Even the trench was filled with it. Elijah did not cry aloud, or cut himself, or dance around | the sacrifice as the priests of Baal had done. Quietly he drew close to the altar. Earnestly he prayed that God would hear and answer his prayer, so that the people might know that Jehovah was the true God. And God answered his prayer. Fire from heaven fell, and burned up not only the sacrifice and the wood, but even the stones as well, and licked up the water that was in the trench. Of course the people knew that Elijah’s God was the true God. ‘They fell upon their faces, crying: “ Jehovah, he is God! Jehovah, he is God!” HANDWORK Take twelve blocks of wood or smooth stones, and build up an altar such as that which you think Elijah may have built. Map Work Find Carmel on the map, and indicate it on your map of Palestine. NoteBook Work Write a short Bible play, called “ The Contest on Mount Carmel.” Have for your speaking characters the following: Elijah; Ahab; a priest of Baal; one of the people; and per- haps Obadiah. Perhaps the school can act out the story. Memory Work Begin to memorize the poem given at the end of the Sun- day Session. A SUGGESTION To MAKE Perhaps the choir in your church or Sunday School will JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 183 sing for you a part of the great oratorio, “ Elijah,” by Handel. Ask your pastor to help you to make this request. PRAYING FOR RAIN IN CHINA To0-DAY A WHOLE VILLAGE PRAYS FOR RAIN A missionary in China writes: We are out at that beautiful temple ten miles from Tsinan called Lung Dung (Dragon Cave). The day we arrived we heard such a noise as we thought only the three hundred foot cliff falling in could make. We ran out into the courtyard for safety ‘and to see what could be falling. There was a whole village of people who had come to pray for rain. They had drums and cym- bals and I don’t know what else with which to raise a noise. It was still very cloudy and we needed rain very much so the villagers were out praying for rain. They never pray unless the rain god is very near where he can hear their prayers. He did seem very near that day and has not gone far away since. These people all had wreaths of willow leaves on their heads. Each carried a banner with a prayer on it. The procession was headed with a chair draped in willow leaves with the earth god inside and incense burning in front of him. Next was the dragon. I had never seen this before and looked in vain for the dragon. At last I had to ask them to explain what they called the dragon. It was a large chair draped with willow leaves. Inside was placed a jar of water; in front of the water was a bowl of burning incense. Just in front of the chair a man carried a pole on the end of which was a large flat spear-shaped end all covered with green paper. That, they told me, was the dragon’s head and he was supposed to be being carried in the chair ; 1f he meant to answer the prayers he would turn into a frog or tadpole or fish or some water inhabitants and be in the jar of water; but if he refused to answer the prayers the water would only dry up. They left the dragon at the temple for several hours before they left for home; however, they carried it out to the stream, to the well, to all the springs around and through the dragon cave beating the drums and making a wonderful noise the whole time. 184 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS SUNDAY SESSION ELIJAH AT HOREB I Kings, chapter 19 Tue Memory VERSE “Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith Jehovah of hosts.”—Zechariah 4: 6. Tre Lesson Story After the miracle at Mount Carmel, Elijah slew the prophets of Baal. He prayed for rain, and the rain came as a further proof that Jehovah was the true God, and that Elijah was his prophet. But Jezebel in the palace would not believe this. She had become more and more furious as Ahab had told her of what had happened. She refused to believe in God; she even threatened to kill Elijah. And Elijah, who had just before this been so brave, showed that he was tired and worn out, by running away! He hurried into the desert, for his life. For a time he forgot how wonderfully God had taken care of him. ‘There, in the desert, under a juniper tree, he sat and prayed that he might die. The poor prophet was exhausted by all that he had undergone. He was hungry and weary. At last he. fell asleep. Once more God showed his love and care. When Elijah awoke, he saw a fire beside him, and food and drink. He ate and slept again, and then God’s angel came to him and commanded him once more to eat and drink, and then to journey on. For forty days the prophet traveled on until he came to Mount Horeb, the mountain in the desert where God had given to the people of Israel the Ten Commandments. In the Bible this is called “ the mount of God.” In a cave there, Elijah took refuge, and there God spoke to him in a wonderful way. “What doest thou here, Elijah?” he said. Elijah explained how discouraged he was because the people of Israel refused to trust in God, and that Jezebel sought to kill him. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 185 “Go forth, and stand upon the mount, before the Lord! ” God commanded. Then, as Elijah obeyed, a great wind rose. It broke off great pieces of rock; it tore the trees from the mountain side. But the Lord God was not in the wind. Then there was a great earthquake which shook the mountain. But the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake came a fire, great and consum- ing. But God was not in the fire. After the fire was a still, small voice. And it was in this way that God spoke to the prophet. God showed Elijah that he had really no cause to be dis- couraged. ‘There were yet seven thousand men and women in Israel who had not bowed before Baal. And God gave to Elijah errands to do for him—to go to Damascus, and anoint a new king of Syria; to anoint a new king of Israel; to anoint a prophet to follow himself. And so, with something to do before him, Elijah went back to Israel, encouraged to go on with God’s work. He anointed Elisha to be his successor, and carried out the plans which God had made for him. PutTtinc THE LkEsson INto THE LIFE OF THE CLASS Sometimes when we are very tired, we feel discouraged and think that everything is going wrong. God knows that our bodies get tired, and so he planned a time of rest for us as well as times of work and play. A good night’s rest will often make hard things seem easier. God sometimes speaks to his followers through a great event, but more often he speaks to us in the still, small voice which we call “ conscience.” When Elijah was discouraged God gave to him work to do for him. When you have a big task ahead of you, and feel that it is too big for you, make a start instead of giving up betore you have really begun, and you will probably find that the task is not so hard after all. 186 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS Elijah thought that he was the only follower of the true God in Israel, but God told him that there were seven thou- sand who had not bowed before Baal’s image. Sometimes you think that you are the only one in your group who stands for the right. But if you are brave, and take your stand for the right, you will find that there are others who will stand with you. God does his work in various ways. Sometimes he ac- complishes his purpose by storm and earthquake, it is true, but more often he works in a quiet way—the way of love. Love is the greatest force in the world. THe Lesson TrutH IN Your LIFE I will try to meet difficulties which come to me in the spirit of love and faith which God would approve. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Try this week to find examples of great deeds which have been accomplished “not by might, nor by power,” but by God’s mighty spirit of love. A MEmory PoEM God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants his footsteps in the sea, And rides upon the storm. Deep in unfathomable mines Of never-failing skill He treasures up his bright designs, And works his sovereign will. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; The clouds ye so much dread Are big with mercy, and shall break In blessings on your head. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, But trust him for his grace; Behind a frowning providence He hides a smiling face. JUNIOR. CHURCH! SCHOOL LESSONS 187 His purposes will ripen fast, Unfolding every hour; The bud may have a bitter taste, But sweet will be the flower. Blind unbelief is sure to err, And scan his work in vain; God is his own Interpreter, And he will make it plain. —Wiiit1AmM Cowpeer, 1774. EXPRESSIONAL SESSION TBs Lille MAT VOTE: Proverbs 4:23 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS God speaks to his children in the world in many ways. He speaks to us through his Word, the Bible; he speaks to us through our parents and teachers; he speaks to us through the still, small voice within us, which we call “ conscience.” We should listen to him as he speaks to us in all these ways. We should try to learn in every way what he wants us to do. The voice of conscience is a still, small voice. Sometimes we do not pay attention to it because it is so small. But we should listen to its slightest whisper. Let us ask God to help us to listen to him when he speaks to us in any way, and especially to listen to the slightest command of the con- science voice. THE CLass PRAYER Our Father in heaven, help us to listen to the still, small voice within, which so often speaks to us to warn us. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. VERSES For Usk IN THE MEETING Deuteronomy ycocwl< Psalm, So. 8.) ohnel4s 16017525 cis eco el imothy 125. 188 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS Hymns THAT May Br Usep 1n ConNNECTION WITH THE MEETING “The Still Small Voice that Speaks Within.” “God Sets a Still Small Voice.” “Saviour, Teach Me Day by Day.” “Father, Lead Me Day by Day.” “Lord, When Through Sin I Wonder.” “ Hushed Was the Evening Hymn.” QUESTIONS For Use IN THE MEETING How did God speak to Elijah? How did he speak to the apostles? How does he speak to his people to-day ? . How can we show that we want to obey God’s voice speaking to us? 5. Is it better to be conscientious or not? 6. Is it easier to be conscientious or not? ONS Topics For Discussion or REPoRTS 1. The Still Small Voice. 2. God’s Messengers to Us. 3. God Speaking to Us Through His Word. 4. God Speaking to Us Through Others. 5. What Happens When We Neglect the Still Small Voice 6. A ‘Tender Conscience. To READ DuRING THE MEETING The voice of God speaks quietly, in many ways. We will try to obey its teachings. “Life is full of dangerous crossings, and conscience is the flagman.” “Labor to keep alive within your breast that little spark of celestial fire called conscience.”—George Washington. “You can hide away from the world, but you can’t run away from your conscience.” JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 189 “Martin Luther, the giant of the Middle Ages, rather than go contrary to his conscience and do an act unworthy of a man, exclaimed in tones of thunder that echoed around the world: ‘If I had a thousand heads, I would lose them all rather than recant.’ ”’ “The still small voice that speaks within, I hear it when at play, I speak the loud and angry word That drives my friend away. “Tf falsehood whispers to my heart To tell a coward lie, To hide some careless thing I’ve done, I hear the sad voice nigh. “Tf selfishness would bid me keep What I should gladly share, I hear again the inner voice, And then with shame forbear. “The voice within! the voice within! Oh, may I have a care; It speaks to warn from every sin, And God has placed it there.” “God sets a still, small voice Deep every soul within; It guideth to the right, And warneth us of sin. “Tf we that voice obey, Clearer its tones will be, Till all God’s will for us Clear as noonday we see. “Tf we that voice neglect, Fainter will be its tone; If still unheeded, it Will leave us quite alone.” SoMETHING To Do THis WEEK Try this week to obey the little voice of conscience which speaks so quietly to you, and to stand foursquare for the right. | CHAPTER IXX] WEEK DAY SESSION THE STORY OF NABOTH’S VINEYARD I Kings 21: 1-20 THe Memory VERSE “ Be sure your sin will find you out.”—Numbers 32: 23. Tue Lesson Story While the Prophet Elijah was at Mount Horeb, Ahab and Jezebel had been going on in their old wicked way, forgetful of the true God and the way in which he had shown them his power. Not far from Ahab’s palace in the city of Jezreel, was the vineyard of a follower of the true God, named Naboth. He had inherited this vineyard from his ancestors, and he loved it. He had no desire to part with it; in fact, it would not have been right, according to the law, for him to have sold it to anyone excepting to a relative. Naboth’s vineyard was close to Ahab’s palace, and Ahab wanted it to add to his grounds. So he went to Naboth, and asked that he sell it to him, or exchange it for another. But Naboth did not want to do this; he refused the king’s re- quest, as he had a perfect right to do, according to law and justice. Then Ahab showed what a spoiled, foolish man he was. \Instead of accepting Naboth’s decision in a right spirit, he acted like a baby. He went to bed in a fit of the sulks, and refused to eat. He showed himself to be anything but kinglike. Queen Jezebel asked the reason for his fit of temper, and when she found out what was the matter, it did not take her long to act. She made fun of him. “Are you king of Israel?”’ she mocked, “ You are not 190 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 191 acting like a king! Cheer up, now! I'll see that you get the vineyard which you want!” Jezebel, you see, was a stronger character than Ahab was. But she was a very wicked woman. She did not hesitate. She made a plot. She wrote letters to the elders of Jezreel, sealing them with Ahab’s seal. She commanded a day of fasting, as if some great sin had been committed in the city. Then she hired two wicked men who accused Naboth of speaking against God and the king. For this supposed sin, Naboth was tried and condemned to death by stoning. And the sentence was carried out. Naboth was stoned to death. His property was forfeited to the king. The news was carried to Jezebel, who, in turn, reported to Ahab that Naboth was dead, and that the vineyard was his. He did not ask how Jezebel had brought this about; he only hastened to go to Jezreel, to take possession of the vineyard of Naboth. In the meantime God had given another message to the Prophet Elijah, and Elijah obeyed the command. As Ahab walked through the vineyard one day, he saw the tall, men- acing figure of the prophet coming near. “ Hast thou found me, O mine enemy?” he asked. “T have found thee,’ Elijah answered, “ because thou has sold thyself to do that which is evil in the sight of God. Then he condemned the king in the most terrible words. And they were more terrible still because they were not his own words, but the words of Jehovah, spoken by his messenger. Evil was to come to Ahab; he was to die, and dogs were to lick his blood in the place where they had licked the blood of Naboth, when he was stoned to death. To Jezebel, too, mis- fortune was to come, for at her death, also, dogs were to eat her body, by the walls of Jezreel. And all these evils were to come because, among all the kings of Israel, “ there was none like unto Ahab, who did sell himself to do that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, whom Jezebel his wife stirred up.” HANDWORK AND Map Work Model on the sand table a relief map of the region in which Samaria and Jezreel were situated. 192 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS NoteBook Work Continue in your notebook the story of Elijah and Ahab. A PossIBLE PROJECT Arrange among yourselves to have the story of Naboth written, and read or told by various members of your group of fellow students, as if they were various people of the time. Let one boy be ohe of Naboth’s friends, who knew him well, and knew the kind of life he led; let a girl be one of Jezebel’s maids in waiting; let another boy be Ahab; another be Elijah; and let another girl be Jezebel. Mrmory WorkK If there is any of the Memory Work in this book of which you are uncertain, review it, until you know it perfectly. A Story oF A MAN WuHo Was UNLIKE AHAB Some of the early settlers of this country bargained with the Indians that for each fishhook given they were to give as much land as a bullock’s hide would cover. But the settlers cut the hide into thin strips, and made it cover a large area. William Penn, when he first came to Pennsyl- vana, bargained with the Indians that he would give a cer- tain number of articles for as much land as a man could walk around in a certain time. The man covered so much more ground than the Indians believed he would, that they became dissatisfied and threatening. But Penn said to them, “You agreed to this way of measuring.” His companions wished to force the carrying out of this agreement, but Penn replied that it would be wrong toward these simple children of the prairies; he asked them what they thought would be right, and they simply demanded a few more rolls of cloth, to which Penn agreed. Not only was war averted, but the Indians were pleased with the fair and just spirit shown by the strangers, and became their friends——JAMEs TERRY WHITE. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 193 SUNDAY SESSION ONE PROPHET AGAINST FOUR HUNDRED I Kings 22: 1-18, 26-37 THe Memory VERSE “The lip of truth shall be established for ever ; But a lying tongue is but for a moment.” —Proverbs 12: 19. THE Lesson STORY You remember that Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, fol- lowed his father as king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. After a reign of seventeen years, Rehoboam died, and was followed by his son Abijam. Abijam ruled three years, and then was succeeded by Asa, who ruled forty-one years. His son Jehoshaphat, followed him as king. Jehoshaphat was king in Judah at the same time that Ahab was king in Israel. Never, since the days of Rehoboam and Jeroboam, had there had been friendship between the kings of Israel and of Judah. But now they became friends. Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, became the wife of Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat. King Jehoshaphat was invited by King, Ahab to Samaria, and a great feast was given in his honor. Now, at this time, there was war between Israel and Syria, the country to the north. Ahab asked Jehoshaphat to become his ally in the war and to go into battle with him. This Jehoshaphat agreed to do, on one condition. He wanted Ahab to ask God’s will about the matter. To this Ahab consented, and he sent for the prophets connected with his court—not Elijah, this time, but four hundred men who pretended to speak God’s will. These four hundred men, knowing what Ahab wanted to do, urged the kings to fight, saying that Jehovah would be with them. For some reason Jehoshaphat was not satisfied with the prophecy of these men. He asked if there were not some other prophet to tell God’s will. “There is another,” acknowledged Ahab. “ His name is Micaiah. But he never prophesies good. He is a prophet of evil.” (You see, Micaiah was really the only prophet of the 194 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS true God at hand. The four hundred prophets were just false pretenders, who said those things that they knew the king would like.) Jehoshaphat, however, persisted, and Micaiah was sent for. He did not want to obey the king’s message. ‘The king’s messenger urged him to speak good words, and so’ please the king. “T will speak just what God tells me to speak,” said Micaiah. He would be a true prophet, no matter what happened. In the meantime the four hundred prophets were gathered before the kings at the city gates. One of them, Zedekiah, had made for himself a pair of iron horns. ‘“ With these shalt thou push the Syrians, until they be consumed,” he said to Ahab. And all the other prophets said, too, that the kings would win the war. Then Micaiah came to the gate. The kings asked him in turn what would be the outcome of the war. “The others say that you will win it,” answered Micaiah mockingly. | “Don’t mock me! ‘Tell me the truth!” commanded King Ahab sharply. “T saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd,” said Micaiah. “ And Jehovah said, These have no master; let them return every man to his house in peace.” By this he meant that Ahab would be killed in the battle. “Did I not tell you so?” said Ahab, turning to Jehosha- phat. “He is the prophet of evil.” And angrily he sent Micaiah to prison. But although Micaiah was only one prophet against four hundred, he spoke God’s message, and his words came true. Ahab and Jehoshaphat went into battle. Ahab tried to dis- guise himself, but in spite of this he was wounded by an unknown bowman, and although he continued in the battle until evening he died then from his wound. All that day the blood from his wound stained his chariot. And when it was taken to Samaria, and washed in the pool there, the dogs licked the blood of the king. So the words of Elijah the prophet were fulfilled: ‘‘ Shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine.” JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 195 3ut King Jehoshaphat returned safely to Judah, where he ruled for seven years more. Puttinc THE Lksson INTo THE LIFE oF THE CLAss God wants his followers to stand bravely for the right, even when they are few. “One with God is a majority.” Moral courage means doing what one’s conscience knows to be right, although it means standing alone against those who seemed to be our friends. It is the finest kind of courage. ONE AGAINST Four HuNDRED (A Junior Bible Play) KING AHAB’S COURT Kine Anas. (To his servants): Know ye that Ramoth- gilead is ours, and we are still, and take it not? (To King Jehoshaphat) Wilt thou go with me to battle to Ramoth-gilead ? KING JEHOSHAPHAT OF JUDAH: I am as thou art, my people as thy people, my horses as thy horses. Inquire first, I pray thee, for the word of Jehovah. Kine Anas, (To his four hundred prophets): Shall I go against Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall I forbear? THE PropHEts: Go up; for the Lord will deliver it into the hand of the king. JenosHapnuatT: Is there not here a prophet of Jehovah be- sides, that we may inquire of him? AuwAs: There is yet one man by whom we may inquire of Jehovah, Micaiah the son of Imlah: but I hate him; for he doth not prophesy good concerning me, but evil. JeHosHAPHAT: Let not the king say so. Auas. (To an officer): Fetch quickly Micaiah the son of Imlah. Fase PRoPpHET, ZEDEKIAH: Thus saith Jehovah, With these horns shalt thou push the Syrians, until they be consumed. ALL THE PropHeEts: Go up to Ramoth-gilead, and prosper ; for Jehovah will deliver it into the hand of the king. 196 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS MICAIAH’S HOUSE Kine’s OFFicer: Behold now, the words of the prophets declare good unto the king with one mouth: let thy word, I pray thee, be like the word of one of them, and speak thou good. MicataH: As Jehovah liveth, what Jehovah saith unto me, that will I speak. KING AHAB’S COURT Auas: Micaiah, shall we go to Ramoth-gilead to battle, or shall we forbear ? MrcataH. (Very mockingly) : Go up and prosper; and Je- hovah will deliver it into the hand of the king. Auas. (Angrily) : How many times shall I adjure thee that thou speak unto me nothing but the truth in the name of Jehovah? MicatAH: I saw all Israel scattered upon the mountains, as sheep that have no shepherd: and Jehovah said, These have no master; let them return every man to his house in peace. AuaAs. (To Jehoshaphat): Did I not tell thee that he would not prophesy good concerning me, but evil? (To his officers) : Take Micaiah, and carry him back unto Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king’s son; and say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace. MicataH. (Warningly): If thou return at all in peace, Je- hovah hath not spoken by me. Hear, ye peoples, all of you. THE BATTLE-FIELD AHAB TO JEHOSHAPHAT: (On one side of the field) I will disguise myself, and go into the battle; but put thou on thy robes. THE Kine oF Syria. (To his soldiers on the opposite side of the field): Fight neither with small nor great, save only with the king of Israel. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 197 SOLDIERS. (Starting forward): Surely it is the king of Israel. (Jehoshaphat cries out. Soldiers see that he is not Ahab, and turn aside.) Anas. (Wounded): Turn thy hand, and carry me out of the host; for I am sore wounded. SOLDIERS OF IsRAEL: Every man to his city, and every man to his country. Surely Jehovah hath spoken through the true prophet. King Ahab hath fallen in Ramoth-gilead, and is dead. —ELIzABETH J. BROWN. EXPRESSIONAL SESSION MORAL COURAGE John 18:15-17; Acts 5: 25-29 SUCGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS Micaiah, in Old Testament days, stood bravely for the right, as had Elijah, also. Like Luther, in later times, he stood against his enemies, and spoke the words; which he knew that God wanted him to speak. He was quite different from Jacob, who told a lie because he was not brave enough to stand for the truth, or from Peter, who said that he did not know Jesus at a time when the Master was in trouble. Micaiah showed moral courage. He was not afraid to be one against many. Peter was a moral coward at first but through following Jesus, he became a hero, “ Peter the rock,” who spoke what he knew to be the truth, who obeyed God rather than men. We Juniors to-day, too, want to be heroes for the right, to have moral courage as had Micaiah, and Peter the brave, and Luther. Let us ask God to help us in this. ; Tue Criass PRAYER Our Father, help us to be heroes in the fight for the right. Help us to stand forth bravely as thy followers, and to have 198 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL, LESSONS moral courage. We ask in the name of Jesus, who will help us as he helped Peter, to be brave in every way. Amen. VERSES FoR USE IN THE MEETING Joshua 1:6, 9; II Samuel 10:12; Psalm 27: 14; II Chron- wclesw19 lle ActseZzGealo. Hymns THAT May Be USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING “The Fight Is On.” *“ Soldiers of Christ, Arise.” “©O Love that Casts Out Fear.” “Courage, Brother! Do Not Stumble.” “ Speak the Truth, for That Is Right.” “Who Is on the Lord’s Side?” QUESTIONS FoR USE IN THE MEETING 1. How did Jacob show that he was a moral coward ? 2. How did Peter, the moral coward, become Peter the brave? 3. How did Elijah show courage? Daniel? Joseph? Did any of these men show moral courage f : 4. Isa liar ever brave? 5. Is it ever brave to tell a lie? Is it ever right to tell alies 6. How can you show moral courage? Topics For DiscussION OR REPORTS Moral and Physical Courage. Which Is Better? How a Moral Coward Became a Hero for the Right. Moral Cowards of the Bible. Moral Courage in the Bible. Modern Examples of Moral Courage. How Juniors Can Show Moral Courage. SA oer de To READ DuRING THE MEETING “Right makes might.” “ Be sure you’re right ; then go ahead.” JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 199 “To thine own self be true; And it must follow, as the night the day Thou canst not then be false to any man.” Give us courage to be frank, absolutely frank, fearless, honest, and true. It will lighten the heart, glorify the soul, and bring into the face the glow of beauty and righteous- ness that grows brighter and brighter unto the perfect day. —George H. Knox. Lincoln showed the quality of his courage, when, against the advice of Congress, he made the call for an additional five hundred thousand recruits. He was told it would pre- vent his reelection. With flashing eyes he replied: “‘ It is not necessary for me to be reelected, but it is necessary for the soldiers at the front to be reenforced by five hundred thousand men, and I shall call for them; and if I go down under the act, I will go down, like the Cumberland, with my colors flying.”—James Terry White. SoMETHING To Do TH1s WEEK Show your moral courage. Be brave at every oppor- tunity that comes to you. In every way, prove yourself valiant for the right. God gives to his followers courage to stand for the right and to speak the truth, when they go forward in his strength, saying as Micaiah said, “ What God tells me to say, I will say.” Tue Lesson TRUTH IN Your LIFE I will stand firmly for the right, no matter who or what ~stands on the other side. E}XPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY During the week, stand firmly for what you know to be the right. To READ WITH THE LESSON There was a prominent American officer at the time of the Revolutionary War, named General Joseph Reed. The offi- 200 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS cers of the English Army were anxious to find some one of importance who would be a traitor to the American cause, and tell them what was going on. One of the commissioners of King George went to General Reed, and offered him fifty thousand dollars, and a public office besides, if he would agree to. promote the British interests. General Reed re- plied immediately, “ I am not worth purchasing ; but such as I am, the king of Great Britain is not rich enough to buy me!” And so it was with Micaiah, the prophet. He would not speak otherwise than as God commanded him to speak, for all the power of King Ahab. And should we not all try to follow the example of such men as these? CAS LMP MME RS OOH WEEK DAY SESSION THE ENDING OF ELIJAH’S WORK I Kings 19: 19-21; II Kings 2: 1-18 THe MrMory VERSE “And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I am taken from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.”—II Kings 2: 9. THE LESSON STORY Do you remember the day when God spoke to Elijah upon Mount Horeb, through the still, small voice? There were three things that God told him to do: to anoint a new king of Damascus ; to anoint a new king of Israel; and to anoint his own successor in the office of prophet. The man who was to follow Elijah was Elisha, the son of Shaphat. Elijah obeyed God’s command. From Mount Horeb he went back to Israel. He found Elisha plowing in the field, directing his father’s servants, who were plowing with eleven yoke of oxen, while Elisha himself was guiding the twelfth pair. Elijah drew near to Elisha, and cast his mantle over his shoulders. This was a sign that Elisha was to take his place as prophet. Elisha did not hesitate. He knew that God wanted him to work for him, and so, asking permission only to say good-by to his father, and to give a farewell feast to his people, he went after Elijah, and became his attendant. Elisha was a very different kind of man from Elijah, «although they were both loyal followers of the true God. Elijah was a prophet of thunder and the sword; Elisha was 201 202 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS SayveReln e Damascus ‘ q Abe]-Meholan w *Jabes is sal . X\ Samariae g faa Shecheme U o e Beth-horon Gezer°® muween a Cc JERUSALEM. 2°? 42,, Bethlehem . ~. &r of EJah Dead Se2 Beersheba Ziklag ¥ AM ALEKITES JUNIORS CHURCH SCHOOL; LESSONS 203 a quieter worker ; Elijah was a man who lived in wild, unin- habited places; Elisha went among the people of the cities, everywhere helping those whom he met. For some time Elisha was the attendant of Elijah, learning the lessons which the older prophet could teach him, listening to his counsels, serving him in many ways. ‘Then the time drew near when Elijah knew that the end of his life and his work was approaching. The two men were in Gilgal. They were about to set out from the city. “Stay here,” Elijah said to Elisha. “The Lord has sent me to Beth-el.” “As Jehovah liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee,” answered Elisha. In some way he must have known, also, that Elijah’s work in the world was almost finished. So the two prophets went on to Beth-el, where there was a group of men called “the sons of the prophets,” who were trying to strengthen the worship of the true God in Palestine. In some way they, too, knew that Elijah’s life was nearing the end. “Do you know that God is going to take away your master very soon?” they asked Elisha. “Yes,” answered Elisha. “ Hold your peace.” God commanded Elijah to go still farther, to Jericho. Again he told Elisha to remain, and again the younger prophet refused to do this. And in Jericho, also, much the same thing happened as had happened in Beth-el. There, also, the sons of the prophets knew that the end of Elijah’s life was approaching. Elijah commanded Elisha, again, at Jericho to remain be- hind while he went farther, and again the younger prophet refused to obey. So the two men—the older man still wear- ing his “ mantle,’ or outer garment made of the skin of an animal, went on until they came to the Jordan River. Fifty men, sons of the prophets, followed after them. As these men watched they saw Flijah take off his mantle, and wrap it together. He struck the waters of the Jordan with it, and before their eyes, the river divided, so that the two prophets passed over on dry land. Then they disap- peared from sight, and the fifty men waited in awe, to see what would happen next. As they passed through the river, Elijah spoke to Elisha. 204 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS “ Ask what I shall do for thee, before I am taken from thee,” he said. “T pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me,” the younger prophet answered.’ By this he did not mean that he wanted or expected twice as much power as Elijah had, but the portion of an older son in a family, who, according to Jewish custom, received twice as much as the younger sons. He knew that he was to be Elijah’s successor, and he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his master. “That is a hard thihg to promise,” said Elijah. “ Never- theless, if thou seest me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee.” On and on they went, talking of many things. As they talked, suddenly there appeared a chariot and horses of fire in the heavens; they were parted from one another; there was a sudden whirlwind, and Elijah was carried up into heaven. Elisha saw what happened. He knew that he would never see his master again, and he tore his garments and cried out in grief: “ My father, my father! You are more to Israel than horsemen and chariots!” which means that Elisha felt that Elijah’s faith in the true God was a greater protection to Israel than warriors and weapons could be. Elisha had seen what happened to Elijah. He knew that his wish had been granted, and that he was to have power to continue his master’s work. ‘The old prophet’s mantle had fallen to the ground, as the two men were parted. Elisha picked it up. He went quickly back to the Jordan River. As Elijah had done he struck the waters with the mantle. Before him, also, they separated, and he passed through the river on dry land, The sons of the prophets were still watching. As they saw what happened, they said to one another, “ The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha.” And in acknowledgment that he was now their leader, they came and bowed themselves to the ground before him. But still they were not quite persuaded that Elijah would not return. Although Elisha told them that it was useless, they spent three days searching for Elijah. But Elisha had returned to Jericho. There he remained quietly until the fifty men came back from their useless ef- JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 205 forts. He knew that Elijah’s work was ended, and that it was time for his work to begin. HANDWORK AND Mar WorkK On the sand table make a map of the region in which the events of this lesson took place, indicating Gilgal, Beth-el, Jericho, and the Jordan River. NoreBooK WorK As your last lesson on the life of Elijah, tell the story of the lesson from the point where the two prophets came to Jericho, pretending that you are one of the sons of the prophets. Write the story in the first person. A REVIEW SUGGESTION As special work, write a comparison of the time when the waters of the Jordan River separated before this, Joshua, chapter 3, and this time, MeEMory WorkK Learn the words of the following hymn. T,ook up any words that you do not understand. “We are living, we are dwelling In a grand and awful time; In an age on ages telling, To be living is sublime. Hark! the waking of the nations, Gog and Magog to the fray: Hark! what soundeth is creation’s Groaning for its latter day. “Worlds are charging, heaven beholding; Thou hast but an hour to fight; Now, the blazoned cross unfolding, On, right onward, for the right! On! let all the soul within you For the truth’s sake go abroad; Strike! let every nerve and sinew Tell in ages, tell for God.” A CiAss ProjeEcr Keep your eyes open, and select what seem to you the most 206 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS interesting events in the life of Elisha, and put them into a class play, to be given at the end of the lessons about the great prophet. SUNDAY SESSION ELISHA, THE*PROPHE TOP HEE PRU ISNT. II Kings 2: 19-22; 4: 1-7, 38-44; 6: 1-7 THE MreMory VERSE “Be ye kind one to another.’”’—Ephesians 4: 32. Ture Lesson Story Elisha, the successor of Elijah, was a very different sort of man from his master. Flijah had been a dweller in the wild places; Elisha went among the people of the cities. Elijah had spoken messages which brought terror to the hearts of those who heard them; Elisha was the prophet of kindness. He performed more miracles which helped people in their everyday lives than did any other man in the Old Testament. Even as he went back to Jericho, when the fifty sons of the prophets were making their vain search for the body of Elijah, he began his service for others. Jericho was a beautiful city, situated in the valley of the Jordan, west of the river, at the foot of the ascent to the mountainous table-land of Judah. It was called “ the city of palm trees,” because of the number of palm trees there. But at this time there was something the matter with the spring which supplied water for the people of Jericho. It was poisonous to human beings, and destructive to vegetable life. The men of the city spoke to Elisha about this, and he commanded them to bring to him a new cruse, or bottle. Into this they were to put salt. Elisha took the cruse containing the salt. He went to the spring, and cast the salt into it, speaking words which God must have commanded him to speak: “Thus saith Jehovah, I have healed these waters; there shall not be from thence any more death.” And from that time, even until to-day, the waters of the JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 207 spring at Jericho are wholesome both to men and _ to vegetation. Another example of Elisha’s kindness to others was the way in which he helped the widow of one of the sons of the prophets. This poor woman had been left with two sons to take care of. Her husband had owed money at the time of his death, and now the creditor wanted to take the two boys, to work as slaves for him until the debt was paid. She went to Elisha for help. The prophet asked her what she had in the house. “Only a pot of oil,” she answered. “Go, borrow as many pots and empty vessels, as you can, from your neighbors,” Elisha commanded. “Go into your house with your two sons, and shut the door. Then pour your oil into the vessels that you have borrowed.” Probably the poor woman wondered what all this work meant. But she trusted the prophet and did as he com- manded. She poured the oil from her pot into one of those that she had borrowed. It was soon filled. And her own pot still contained oil! She filled another of the borrowed vessels—and another—and another—until every one of them was filled! Quickly she hurried to the prophet. “ What shall I do now?” she asked. “ Sell it, and pay your husband’s debts,” he answered, “and there will be enough for you and your children to live on, besides.” At still another time Elisha was with the sons of the prophets at Gilgal. It was a time of famine, and they had prepared a sort of soup from vegetables which they had gathered in the fields. In some way a poisonous plant had been put in the broth by mistake, and they could not eat it. ‘This was a serious matter, for food was scarce, and hard to get. Elisha, however, told them to add some meal to the dish, and this made it wholesome. Again, he fed a hundred men with twenty barley loaves, and a sack of uncooked corn. Another miracle which showed Elisha’s helpfulness in little things, occurred to one of the sons of the prophets. This group, probably those men who lived in Jericho, de- cided to build for themselves a larger house, near the Jordan River. One of the men borrowed an ax to use in the work. 208 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS As he was cutting down a tree, the ax head came off, and fell into the river. This was a great loss, for in those days axes were expensive, and, moreover, this ax had been borrowed. Elisha saw that help was needed. He asked where the ax head had fallen into the water. He cut a stick, and threw it in at the place, and immediately the iron ax head floated to the surface, so that the son of the prophet easily recovered it. In such ways as these, as well as in greater ways, Elisha showed his kindness. ~ He was interested in even the very little things that happened among the people. PuTTING THE Lesson INTO THE LIFE OF THE CLASS Elisha was one of the greatest prophets of the people of Israel, and yet he did not hesitate to do little kindnesses for others. He was interested in the little things that happened to God’s people. Elisha might have been angry at the sons of the prophets of Jericho because they did not take his word when he told them that they would not find the body of Elijah. But in- stead, his first act after this was an act of kindness to them. We are not able to perform miracles as Elisha did, but we can help others in many ways. Let us try to do this, to the very best of our ability. Elisha did the work that came next to his hand to do, whether that work was little or great. We should not neglect to do the little things, because we are waiting for the greater things to come, by and by. THE Lesson TRUTH IN Your LIFE Elisha did not hesitate to do that which came next, no matter how small the work seemed. We, too, will try to do with all our might and main that which comes next. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Do something kind for some one this week. JUNIOR, CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 209 A Story To READ General Joseph Garibaldi, the great Italian patriot, was very much like Elisha in his kindness to everyone whom he met. His duties as the general of the Italian army did not prevent him from helping in little ways. One night, in the year 1861, as he was going to his headquarters, he met a shepherd who was grieving because he had lost one of the lambs of his flock. As soon as the general had returned to his camp, he told his officers that he intended to scour the mountains in search of the missing animal. His soldiers became interested, and a great expedition was organized. Lanterns were brought, and they started off with enthusiasm. But no lamb was found, and soon the soldiers returned to the camp, and went to bed. The next morning, when General Garibaldi’s servant went to waken him, he was amazed to see the old general bring the lost lamb from under his covering, where he had kept it warm. ‘‘’The man who had endured hardship and persecution, cold and hunger, nakedness and exile to make his native land free, had thought it a worthy task to keep up his search throughout the long night for the lost sheep until he had found it.” EXPRESSIONAL SESSION HOW eLULELE- DEEDS OF KINDNESS HELP Matthew 10: 42 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS Do you ever feel that what you can do in the world is very little in comparison with what should be done, and that it does not amount to much? Perhaps sometimes Elisha felt that he was too great a man to spend his time in making an an unhealthful dish of food wholesome, or in rescuing a lost ax head. These were little kindnesses for a great prophet of God to do. But I am sure that he did them willingly and gladly. He liked people; he liked to help them. And we, too, must do the little things that come next for us to do so that we can be prepared to do the greater things which will 210 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS come to us when we grow older. Let us ask God to help us to be ready always to do what comes next to our hands to do. THE CLAss PRAYER Our Father in heaven, help us to do with all our might and main the next things, even though they seem but litile to us. Prepare us to do the greater things, which doing the little things will help to make us ready to do. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. VERSES FoR USE IN THE MEETING Proverbs 31:26; Luke 19: 17; Piaersiehs 4; I Corinthi- ans 13:4. Hymns tHat May Br Usep IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING “The Wise May Bring Their Learning.” “ Little Deeds of Kindness.” pebassmite © tiem QUESTIONS FoR UsE IN THE MEETING 1. In what ways was Elisha different from Elijah? 2. Tell the story of one of Elisha’s deeds of kindness. 3. Did Jesus ever perform any miracles which resembled those of Elisha? What were they? 4. How cana Junior show himself kind? 5. Have you done a kind act to-day? TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION OR REPORTS Elisha’s Little Deeds of Kindness. The Cup of Cold Water. Little Things in God’s Kingdom. A Comparison of Jesus’ Miracles and Elisha’s. A Junior’s Deeds of Kindness. Little Kindnesses Which Have Proved Important. A Kind Deed a Day. EN Se SNS ge To READ IN THE MEETING Do a kind act every day—but do not do it for the sake of a reward. Do it because it is right. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 211 “True worth is in being, not seeming; In doing each day that goes by Some little good; not in dreaming Of great things to do by and by.” Even the mighty mountain range is made up of the tiniest particles of matter. So a person who is known as “ kind,” often gains that reputation by many little deeds of kindness. “A great engine goes dashing along at a high rate of speed, plowing its way against wind, and defying every ob- struction. But little snowflakes, steadily falling upon the track, grow into a heap that brings the monster to a standstill.” “She doeth little kindnesses Which most leave undone, or despise: For naught that sets one heart at ease, And giveth happiness or peace, Is low-esteemed in her eyes.” “Who sweeps a room as for God’s laws Makes that and the action fine.” SOMETHING To Do THis WEEK Study the different deeds of kindness which Elisha per- formed, about which you have learned. Try during the week to do one deed of kindness, at least, which seems to you equivalent to a deed of kindness which Elisha did. CHAP RAR ee Lil WEEK DAY SESSION ELISHA AND THE SHUNAMMITE WOMAN II Kings A: 8-16 Ti Memory VERSE “Forget not to show love unto strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”—Hebrews 13: 2. THE LESSON STORY Elisha traveled from place to place, preaching and teach- ing and helping others. As he went on his travels, he often passed through the city of Shunem, a place situated about fifty-three miles north of Jerusalem. This was one of the most beautiful and fertile portions of Israel. In Shunem, there lived a great-hearted, hospitable woman and her husband—a man who seems to have equaled his wife in generosity and good will. These people were well to do; they lived in comfortable circumstances, with a comfortable home, and a farm. They had servants to wait upon them. But they had no children, and often they must have longed for sons and daughters. One day when Elisha was passing through Shunem, the Shunammite invited him to stay at her home. He became friends with her and her husband, and always after that when he was in the neighborhood, he stayed there. This happened so frequently that the Shunammite woman sug- gested to her husband that they build for the prophet of God a little room on the “ wall,” which might be his very own. There he might stay whenever he came to Shunem. Quickly they carried out the plan. They built the room on the roof of the house, with an outside stairway. They furnished it with a bed and a stool and a table and a candle- stick. And then, when the prophet next came to Shunem, 212 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 213 you can imagine their pleasure in taking him to it, and telling him how they had built it for him, and that it was ready for him to use whenever he saw fit to do so. Elisha, who so often did kind deeds for others, was grate- ful and thankful to those who showed such kind thought for him. He used the room and found out how very pleasant and comfortable it was. He wanted to show his appreci- ation in some way. He called the Shunammite woman to him, and asked her what he could do for her. “ Shall I speak to the king about AN ORIENTAL HOUSE. you?” he asked. “Or is there anything that I can do with the captain of the army?” (In those days it was sometimes a good thing to have friends among the soldiers, who would help to protect the country in time of attacks from the enemy Syrians, or Assyrians. ) But the woman shook her head. “No, there is nothing that you can do for me,” she answered. “I dwell among my own people. I have everything that I want.” Still Elisha was not satisfied. ‘“‘ What can I do for these good, kind people?” he asked his servant, Gehazi. “There is one thing that I can think of,’ Gehazi an- swered. “She and her husband have no children.” 214 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS “Call her to come here again,” commanded Elisha. Then when the Shunammite woman had obeyed, he told her that she should have a son—the greatest desire in the heart of a Hebrew woman. At first she did not believe him; she begged him not to deceive her. But Elisha’s promise was carried out. A little son was born in the family, and the Shunammite woman and her husband were happier than they had ever been before. > eer emcee awe cence ewww ew ewer wm SM wm NK KM ww wm em oe em wm Hw ww em we wow ewes www ew errr em ce ow eo geoeese we - ee ewe w nm eww cewewrec err wewewrrewre ee ow om ~—g~ ee ew reer er er neem cowed eames emo sarwwascda J 4. wr30ernrawe ewe You remember the way in which many of the houses of Palestine were built, do you not? They are often square, one-storied buildings, with flat roofs. The roof is one of the pleasantest parts of the house, for there the cool breezes of the evening can be enjoyed after the heat of the day is past. It is often reached by an outside stairway, and sur- rounded by a railing. It was at one corner of the roof, on -—csccwmeawmeaweoqeanerz2ecrrcce & 4 ‘ 4 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 215 the “ wall,” that the Shunammite woman and her husband built the room for Elisha. HANDWORK Make a model of an Oriental house, using the pattern given on page 214. Cut on the heavy lines, and fold on the dotted lines. Bend up the stairway, to the proper place. NoTEBOOK WoRK Continue the story of Elisha in your notebook. Map Work Copy in your notebook the map of the Divided Kingdom given with Chapter XIX, and indicate Shunem on it. Memory Work Learn the words of the following hymn: “Love thyself last. Look near, behold thy duty To those who walk beside thee down life’s road; Make glad their days by little acts of beauty, And help them bear the burden of earth’s load. “Love thyself last; and thou shalt grow in spirit To see, to hear, to know and understand. The message of the stars, lo, thou shalt hear it, And all God’s joys shall be at thy command,” SUNDAY SESSION ELISHA RESTORING A CHILD TO LIFE II Kings 4: 19-37 THE MEMory VERSE “© death, where is thy victory? O death, where is thy sting ?”’—I Corinthians 15:55. Tue Lesson STorRY The little son of the kind woman of Shunem grew to be a boy perhaps four or five years old. He followed his 216 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS mother around the house as children do; he went with his father around the farm; he must have been a favorite of Elisha’s when the prophet of God came to visit at the home of his parents. One day his father took him out in the fields to watch the reapers. The weather was hot, and the sun beat down upon them. The boy began to complain. “ My head! My head!” he said. “Oh, my head! My head!” “Carry him to his mother,” his father commanded one of the servants. He did not think that there was very much the matter with the little boy. The servant carried him to his mother; she took him on her lap and rocked him; she tried to help his headache; but the heat and the sun had been too much for him. In a little while the boy died. The mother was stunned. But she quickly made up her mind what to do. She did not tell anyone what had hap- pened. She carried the little lad up to the prophet’s room on the roof and laid him upon the bed there. Then she shut the door, and went down the stairs. She did not tell even her husband what had happened, but asked him to send her one of the servants, and to have an ass saddled, so that she might go to Elisha. “Why do you want to go?” said her husband. “ It isn’t a special day, or the sabbath.” She did not tell him her reason. Simply she answered, “Tt shall be well.” As soon as the animal was saddled, she ordered the serv- ant to drive as quickly as possible to Mount Carmel, where she knew that Elisha was at this time. It was sixteen or seventeen miles away. When the prophet saw her coming in the distance, he sent Gehazi, his servant, to speak to her. “Ask her what is the matter, and if it is well with all the family,” he told Gehazi. But she would not tell the servant what had hapoeneeh She went on until she reached Elisha. Then she threw her- self at his feet in grief, and told him about her son. “Hurry to Shunem,” Elisha commanded Gehazi. “Take my staff, and lay it upon the face of the child.” JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 217 “ As Jehovah liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not go without thee,” the mother insisted. And because of her pleadings, Elisha went with her to Shunem. Gehazi had hurried on ahead. He did as the prophet had told him, but there was no sign of life in the little lad’s body. He met the prophet and the boy’s mother with the words, “The child had not yet awakened.” Elisha went up the stairs to the little room on the roof top. He shut the door, and prayed. Then he went to the bed. He put his mouth against the mouth of the child, and his eyes against his eyes, and his hands upon the child’s hands. He prayed again. Gradually the child’s flesh grew warm. Elisha walked up and down the room. Then he went back to the bed, and bent over the boy again. And this time, the child sneezed seven times, and opened his eyes. He was alive and well, once more. God had granted Elisha’s prayer. The prophet went to the door. “Call the Shunammite,” he commanded Gehazi. How gladly and quickly she must have come hurrying up the steps! And when she came into the room, the prophet greeted her with glad words: “Take up thy son! ” The woman’s first act was to fall at the prophet’s feet, and to thank him for his kindness. Then she carried her son downstairs, thanking God for his goodness. Can you think what happiness there was in the home at Shunem that night? How they must all have rejoiced, and thanked God, who had given back to them, on account of the prayers of his prophet, the little son who had died, but who had been restored to life! Purtinc THE Lesson INTO THE LIFE OF THE CLASS “The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.” The woman of Shunem trusted Elisha, the prophet of God, although she did not trust his servant, Gehazi. What we are shows itself in what we do. Let us try not to dis- appoint those who trust in us. 218 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS The best things in life come through earnest prayer. In a time of trouble, the woman of Shunem went to God’s prophet for help. The true Christian wants to follow the example of Elisha and of Christ, and to help those who need help. THE LESSON TRUTH IN Your LIFE We will try to help others in every way that we can. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY If you know some one, who is ill, do some kind act for him. For instance, if he is out of school because he has sprained his ankle, or for some other reason of that kind, go to visit him, and cheer him up. Perhaps you can help him to keep up with his lessons. If he is ill with a contagious disease, so that you cannot visit him, write him a letter, or send him a little present. Tur Way in Wutcu Jesus Broucut A CHILD To LIFE Luke 7: 11-17 “And it came to pass soon afterwards, that he went to a city called Nain; and his disciples went with him, and a great multitude. Now when he drew near to the gate of the city, behold, there was carried out one that was dead, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. And he came nigh and touched the bier: and the bearers stood still. And he said, Young man, I say unto thee, Arise. And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he gave him to his mother. And fear took hold on all: and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet is arisen among us: and, God hath visited his people. And this report went forth concerning him in the whole of Judzea, and all the region round about.” JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 219 EXPRESSIONAL SESSION SHOWING GRATITUDE TO GOD AND TO OUR NEIGHBOR Psalm 100 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS Elisha showed his gratitude to the Shunammite woman and her husband for their goodness to him, by asking God to send to them the gift of a son. And, although the Bible story does not say so, the woman and her husband must have felt gratitude, and expressed it to God and to his prophet, both when the boy was born, and when he was restored to life. Elijah, too, had restored to life the son of the widow of Zarephath, and that woman, too, must have been grateful. Jesus, in New Testament days, restored to life the son of the widow of Nain. And in all these cases the people for whom the kind acts were done, were grateful. We cannot do such kind acts as these for our neighbor, nor can our neighbors do such things as these for us. But when anyone does for us even a little act of kindness, we can show that we appreciate it, and try to do our best not to seem ungrateful. God wants us to thank him, too, for the kind- ness which he shows to us. Let us thank him now, for some of the many kindnesses which he has showered upon us. THE CLAss PRAYER Every good gift cometh from thee, our Father in heaven. We thank thee for the blessings of our homes and of our fathers and mothers. We thank thee that we live in a Chris- tian land, where we have all sorts of good things which those who live in heathen lands do not enjoy. Help us, we pray thee, to show kindness to others. Help us to remember that inasmuch as we do a kind act for anyone in thy name, we do it for thee. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. VERSES For UsE IN THE MEETING Ezra 3:11; II Samuel 2:6; Matthew 25:40; 10:41, 42; I Corinthians 15:57; I Timothy 5:4. 220 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL: LESSONS Hymns tTHat May Be Usep IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING “Showers of Blessing.” “ We Plow the Fields, and Scatter.” “For Thy Mercy and Thy Grace.” “All Praise to Thee, My God, This Night.” “ All that’s Good, and Great, and True.” QUESTIONS FoR USE IN THE MEETING 1. Give some other Bible accounts of times when chil- dren were miraculously restored to life. I Kings 17: 17-24; Luke 7: 11-17; 8:41, 42, 49-56. 2. How did the widow of Zarephath show her gratitude? 3. How did Jairus show his gratitude? 4. How can we show our gratitude to God for what he does for us? , 5. How can we show our gratitude to our parents for what they do for us? 6. How can we show gratitude to our neighbors and our teachers? | 7. What should you do if a person shows himself un- grateful for a kindness that you have done for him? TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION OR REPORTS Examples of Gratitude from the Bible. The Sin of Ingratitude. Showing Gratitude to Neighbors. When Others Are Ungrateful. The Golden Rule. a To READ IN THE MEETING “Blow, blow, thou winter wind! Thou art not so unkind As man’s ingratitude.” “ Ingratitude is treason to mankind.” “Will ye not take the blessings given, The priceless boon of ruddy health, The sleep unbroken, peace unriven, The cup of joy, the mine of wealth— JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS oe) Will ye not take them all, and yet Walk from the cradle to the grave, Enjoying, boasting, and forget To thank the gracious God who gave?” “If anyone should give me a dish of sand and tell me there were particles of iron in it, I might look for them with my eyes, and search for them with my clumsy fingers, and be unable to detect them; but let me take a magnet and sweep through it, and how it would draw to itself the almost in- visible particles by the mere power of attraction! The unthankful heart, like my finger in the sand, discovers no mercies ; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day, and as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find in every hour some heavenly blessings; only the iron in God’s hand is gold.” —OLIVER WENDELL HoLMEs. SoMETHING TO Do T'HIs WEEK Keep a record of the different acts of kindness which are shown to you this week. Consider seriously the question: “For how many of these have I shown my gratitude sufficiently ? ”’ CHAPTER XXIV WEEK DAY SESSION THE SYRIAN GENERAL AND THE LITTLE MAID ~IT Kings 5: 1-7 THE Memory VERSE “Even a child maketh himself known by his doings, Whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.” —Proverbs 20: 11. Tue LEsson Story To the north of the land of Israel lay Syria, a country which was, in Old Testament days, constantly making war against its neighbors. Sometimes its armies fought against Israel; sometimes the two smaller countries became allies in their warfare with one of the greater powers, such as Assyria. The capital of Syria was Damascus, one of the oldest cities in the world, and mentioned in the Bible even as far back as Genesis 14:15. It was a very beautiful city in those days, and was called “the eye of the East.” It is situated in an oasis on the river Barada, which is called in the Bible “ the Abanah,” and to this stream Damascus owes its beauty, and its very existence. “It rises in the table-land twenty-three miles from Damascus and flows through the city in seven beautiful streams.” A writer in describing the Abanah says: “Tt is the clearest water possible, and singularly bright in color, in the morning a full, deep, emerald green, in the evening a sapphire blue. It was impossible not to think of the two jewels, so exactly did it resemble their clear, gemlike hues, at times.”’ A little below the city passed another rapid stream, called in the Bible “the Pharpar.” In the days when Elisha the prophet was performing so 222 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS thes many acts of kindness in the land of Israel, the king of Syria was Ben-hadad II. The king of Israel was probably Jehoram, the son of Ahab. One of the generals of Ben-hadad was Naaman. He had led the Syrian army to victory against Assyria; he was a great man with the king; but, better still, he was loved and respected in his own home. Naaman was a great general; he was a great man; but in some way he had contracted a dreadful disease—leprosy, which in those days was incur- able. In Israel he would have had to live by himself, and to keep away from other people, but in Syria he was allowed to go and come as he pleased. However, he knew that he would never get well. The disease would become more and more terrible, and finally he would die. In one of the forays which the Syrians had made into the land of Israel, a little girl had been taken captive. She was carried off from her own home to Damascus, and there she became a maid in the home of General Naaman. She was one of the maids who waited on his wife. She must have been kindly treated by everyone, even though she was a slave, for she tried in every way to help. She saw how ill her master was, and one day she said impulsively to her mistress : “Would that my Lord were with the prophet that is in Samaria, he would cure him of his leprosy!” (Even though she was far from her home she remembered the true God, and the kind deeds of Elisha, his prophet.) Naaman’s wife was quick to pay attention to anything concerning her husband. She asked questions, and soon Naaman had been told all that the little maid of Israel knew. Quickly he went to Ben-hadad. ‘The king was glad to help his favorite general. He thought that the best way to reach the prophet was through the king of Israel, and he wrote a letter to him. Soon Naaman and his servants set out on the journey to Samaria—more than a hundred miles —taking with them presents—ten talents of silver, six thou- sand shekels of gold, ten changes of raiment. At last they came to Samaria and asked for an interview with the king. He read the letter. He had had very little to do with Elisha, and he never thought of the prophet of God. He thought only that the king of Syria was seeking to quar- 224 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS rel with him. In grief and rage he tore his clothes, for he did not know what to do. But Naaman must have felt even more grieved than did King Jehoram. He had believed and hoped in the words of the little maid, and now he feared that he must go away disappointed, without the cure for which he longed so much. A PROBLEM IN ARITHMETIC If a talent of silver_.is worth $1950, and a shekel of gold is worth $9.80, what was the value of the present of money which Naaman took with him to Israel? What was the weight, if a talent of silver weighs one hundred and sixteen pounds Troy, and a shekel of gold, ten pennyweights ? HANDWORK AND Map Work Draw a map showing the respective locations of Damas- cus, with the Abanah and Pharpar Rivers, and Palestine with the Jordan River. Indicate Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom. MrEmMory WorkK Write out a little dramatization of this scene, and learn the parts. THE LirrLueE CAptivE MaIp Long, long ago, a captive maid A wondrous message gave; For she believed in Israel’s God, With power to help and save. The word she spoke, the truth she told, Her haughty master moved; And when he sought the way aright, The way of life it proved. No help or cure was in her hand, She was a captive maid; But she could tell the way to go, To gain the prophet’s aid. The sore disease and wasting pain Were lost in Jordan’s wave; The Syrian captain learned that God Was strong to help and save. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 225 So children now can spread the news Of Jesus’ power to cure; To heal the weary, sin-sick heart, And make the spirit pure. *Tis Jesus only who can save As in the olden day; But all may find him if they will; A child may point the way. —JuLiA H. JoHNsSon. SUNDAY SESSION ELISHA AND NAAMAN II Kings 5: 8-27 THE MEMory VERSE “He that covereth his transgressions shall not prosper ; But whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall obtain mercy.’—Proverbs 28: 13. Tue Lesson STorRY In some way the Prophet Elisha heard of the coming of Naaman to King Jehoram of Israel. He sent to the king a message, reminding him that there was a prophet in Israel, who, through God’s power, could help those who needed help. The message was given to Naaman, and with renewed hope, he drove to the home of Elisha. Naaman was a great man in his own country, you remem- ber. He expected the prophet to greet him with great cere- mony. Instead of that Elisha sent out to him a messenger. “Go and wash in the Jordan seven times,” the messenger said, “and thy disease shall be healed.” Naaman was angry. He had expected a great miracle. He thought that at least the prophet would come to him and call upon the name of God, and strike the place where his disease had shown itself. And now came the command that he should go and wash seven times in the Jordan—that dirty, yellow stream, so different from the beautiful Pharpar, or the sparkling blue Abanah of his own land. “ Are not the rivers of my own land good enough to wash in?” he raged. And he turned to go away in anger. 226 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS But Naaman’s other attendants loved him just as the little maid had loved him. They called him “father.” They spoke wisely to him. “ My father,” they said, “if the prophet had commanded you to do some great thing, in order to gain a cure, you would have done it. But he has commanded only a little thing. Would it not be wise to do as he has said?” Naaman saw the reason in their words. He and his train turned toward the Jordan, twenty-five miles away. Swiftly they rode down to the«stream. Naaman stepped into the river—one—two—three times. And still the ugly signs of the disease—the sore spots on his skin—showed. Four times—five times—six times. Nothing had happened yet. But the seventh time—! Ah, at last! As he stepped out of the water this time, he saw that the spots were gone. His servants saw it. He was cured! Because he had obeyed the words of God’s prophet, the leprosy—that terrible dis- ease which no medicine could cure—had left him. Once more his flesh was sound and he was a well man. The rest of the story is easily told. We can imagine the joy with which he returned to the home of the prophet. This time Elisha himself came out to him. The great general bowed before the prophet. He acknowledged the one true God—the only God. He wanted the prophet to take the presents which he had brought with him. But this Elisha refused to do. He wanted to give God’s gift freely to the Syrian general. He sent Naaman away in peace. And then a dreadful thing happened, for Gehazi, Elisha’s attendant, who had been with him so long, showed that he was really a covetous, dishonorable man. For when Naaman had gone, and Elisha had withdrawn into the house, Gehazi followed the general. He asked for a present in the proph- et’s name—a talent of silver and two changes of garments. And Naaman, in his generous attitude, doubled the gift of money, and gave him the garments, sending back servants with Gehazi, to carry the gifts. Gehazi was afraid to let the servants go all the way to the town, lest Elisha should see them. (How much did two talents of silver weigh? See page 224. He hid them in a house near by, and sent the men away. Then he went to - JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS CAM his master, and when Elisha asked him where he had been, he added a lie to his other sin. But Elisha knew. Gehazi could not deceive God’s prophet, and in punishment for his sin, the leprosy of Naaman at- tacked Gehazi, and he went out from the room a leper, as white as snow. PuTTING THE LEsson INTO THE LIFE OF THE CLASS Obedience to God’s commands, even though we do not understand them, brings help in time of trouble. “Be sure your sin will find you out.” God wants our gratitude in return for his great kind- ness to us Even the great gifts which Naaman had planned to give the prophet of God would not have been enough to express his thanksgiving, but his grateful heart was all the thank- offering that God wanted. The Tenth Commandment says, “ Thou shalt not covet.’ Gehazi coveted. The Eighth Commandment says, “ Thou shalt not steal.” He practically broke this Commandment. The Ninth Commandment says, ‘‘ Thou shalt not bear false witness.” All these Commandments Gehazi broke. One sin led to another, and so we find that it is even to-day. THE LEsson TRUTH IN Your LIFE A sin that first seems little, often leads to many others that are greater than we dreamed. Let us avoid the first little sin, the first little temptation, and so keep free of the greater sins. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Do some kind act for another this week. Show your gratitude to others for some kind act which they have done for you this week. 228 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS Tue Goop BIsHoP Jean Valjean was the son of a woodchopper. His parents died when he was very young, and he was left in the care of his sister. But, when he was seventeen years old, his sister’s husband died, and it was necessary for Jean to undertake the support of his seven little nieces and nephews. He was a young man of great strength, but he found it very hard to provide food for this large family. One winter day he was out of work, and the children were nearly starved. He could withstand their cries no longer, and that night he broke a baker’s window with his fist, and stole a loaf of bread which he carried home to the children. The next morning he was arrested for his theft, his bleeding hand convicting him. For this crime he was sent to the galleys, or prison boats. He had an iron collar riveted around his neck. To this was fastened the iron chain which bound him to his prison seat. For four years he endured this. Then he tried to escape, but he was caught, and three years were added to his sen- tence. He made a second attempt to escape, but this also failed, and he was made to spend still more time as a prisoner. In all he remained a galley slave for nineteen years, for stealing one loaf of bread. Naturally, when Jean left the prison, his heart was hard- ened on account of the injustice with which he had been treated. He was more like an animal than like a man. He felt that every man’s hand was raised against him. At last in his travels he came to the town where the good bishop lived. The good bishop was indeed a good man. He was simple and loving, with a great heart. He never thought of himself. He loved everyone, and everyone loved him. They would not receive Jean at the inn, in this town, because they knew that he was an ex-convict and a danger- ous man. Wherever he went the knowledge of his past went before him, and everyone drove him away. ‘They would not even let him sleep in the dog kennel, or give him the food that had been saved for the dog. Finally Jean came to the house of the bishop. He en- tered it. He shouted in a loud, harsh voice: “ Look here. I am a galley slave. Here is my yellow passport. It says: JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 229 ‘Five years for robbery, and fourteen years for trying to escape. The man is very dangerous.’ Now you know who I am, will you give me a little food, and let me sleep in the stable?” “Sit down and warm yourself,” said the good bishop. “You will take supper with me, and after that sleep here.” Jean could not speak for joy. He told the bishop that he had money, and could pay for his supper and lodging. But the good bishop said: “ You are welcome. This is not my house, but Christ’s. Your name was known to me before you showed me your passport. You are my brother.” The evening passed. At bedtime, the good bishop took a silver candlestick that had been given to him at Christmas, to light himself to bed. He gave a second candlestick to Jean, and led him to a room, where there was a good bed. But in the middle of the night, Jean awoke with a hardened heart. He felt that the time had come when he could get revenge for his many wrongs. He remembered the silver knives and forks that had. been used at supper time. He made up his mind to steal them and go away in the night. He stole downstairs, and took everything that he could lay his hands on, and left the house. When the bishop awoke, and found that his silver was gone, he did not blame Jean. He said: “I have been think- ing for a long time that I ought not to keep that silver. I should have given it to the poor, and certainly this man is poor.” But poor Jean was caught. At breakfast time, five sol- diers brought him back to the bishop’s house. When the good man saw Jean, he called out: “Oh, you are back again! J am glad to see you. I gave you the candlesticks, too, which are silver, and will bring forty dollars. Why did you not take them?” Jean was startled by these words, and so were the soldiers. “This man told us the truth, did he?” they cried. ‘“ We thought that he had stolen the plate, and was running away. So we quickly arrested him.” But the good bishop only said: “It was a mistake to have him brought back. The silver is his. I have given it to him.” So the officers went away, leaving Jean with the bishop. 230 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS “Ts it really true,’ whispered Jean, “that I am free to gor” “Yes,” said the bishop. “ You may go. But take your candlesticks with you. Do not go through the garden. The front door is always open to you, day and night.” The bishop took Jean’s hand. “Good-by,” he said. “ Never forget that you have promised me that you will use the money to become an honest man.” Jean could not remember that he had promised anything like this, but he stood silent, while the bishop continued sol- emnly: “ Jean Valjean, my brother, you no longer belong to evil, but to good. I have bought your soul for you. I with- drew it from black thoughts and the spirit of hate. I have given it to God.” Thus there began in Jean’s heart a life-and-death struggle between the spirit of hate and the spirit of love, and because of the bishop’s goodness and kindness, the spirit of love won, and Jean became a great and good man.—Adapted from Victor Huco’s “ Les Miserables.” EXPRESSIONAL SESSION ENEMIES WHO BECAME FRIENDS Matthew 5: 43-48 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS Because the captive Israelite maid in the house of Naaman showed herself kind in her service, she became a friend in the home of an enemy; because Elisha was kind to Naaman, the Syrian general, who had been an enemy, became a friend; because Daniel was kind and well behaved, he be- came a friend of those who had been his enemies. Because Paul was kind and generous with the jailer at Philippi, he made him a friend and a Christian. There are many, many examples of friendly enemies in the Bible, men and women, boys and girls, who come to under- stand one another better and so become friends. We, who live nowadays, have enemies just as they had in Bible times ee ae JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 231 —personal enemies, national enemies. We need not have such enemies if we follow the commands of Jesus, as did these people of Bible days. We can love them and do good to them. We can try to help them; we can do good to those that hate us. Let us try to do this, and so follow the com- mands of Jesus. THE CLAss PRAYER Our Father in heaven, help us to make friends among those who have been unfriendly to us. Help us to love them and so to win them to friendship for us. We ask in the name of Jesus, who, even when he was dying on the cross, prayed for his enemies, “ Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Amen. VERSEs FoR USE IN THE MEETING Proverbs 16:32; 17:9, 13; 19:11; Ecclesiastes 7: 9a; Matthew 5:7; Luke 6: 36, 37; 23: 34; I John 4: 20, 21. Hymns tTuHat May Br Usep IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING “ True-Hearted, Whole-Hearted.” “Who Is on the Lord’s Side?” “ Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.” “ Looking Upward Every Day.” “Courage, Brother! Do Not Stumble.” QuesTIoNs For Usk IN THE MEETING 1. How did the little Israelitish maid show herself friendly among enemies ? 2. How did Elisha prove friendly to enemies? 3. How did Abraham prove himself friendly to Lot, after Lot had treated him unfairly? 4. How did Jesus show himself friendly to his enemies? 5. How can you prove yourself friendly to those who seem to have treated you unfairly? 232 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 6. Did you ever have an enemy? Is he still your enemy ? Then whose fault is it? TorpIcs FOR DISCUSSION OR REPORTS 1. Bible People Who Showed Themselves Friendly Among Enemies: (1) Joseph; (2) Naaman’s Little Maid; (3) Abigail; (4) Abraham; (5) Paul; (6) Jesus. 2. How Jesus Showed Love for His Enemies. 3. Proving Yourself a Follower of Christ. 4. Doing Good to Those Who Hate Us. To READ IN THE MEETING There have been many people in the United States who have feared an attack sometime from the people of Japan. But when earthquake and disaster came to that country across the sea, America responded quickly, and showed a friendly feeling toward those in distress. Now, it is said, there is no danger of war with Japan for many generations. America’s readiness to help has won the hearts of those who might have been enemies. I would be true, for there are those who trust me; I would be pure, for there are those who care; I would be strong, for there is much to suffer, I would be brave, for there is much to dare. I would be friend to all—the foe, the friendless; I would be giving and forget the gift; I would be humble, for I know my weakness; I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift. —Howarp ARNoLD WALTER. “Did you ever hear the story of Watch and the monkey? Watch was a great dog who had been sleeping peacefully until an organ-grinder’s music aroused him. The dog saw the monkey coming toward him on the grounds where he was master, and he sprang up in a fury and was about to tear the intruder to pieces, when the little animal did what he had been trained to do—took off his hat and made a deep bow. This was a situation for which Watch was not pre- pared ; he was so surprised that he stopped, dropped his tail, hung his head in shame, and slunk away.” JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 233 SOMETHING TO Do THis WEEK Is there anyone in your school, or in your town, or even in the world whom you consider an enemy, or even one who you think is unfriendly toward you? Then try to do some- thing kind for him, and make a start toward winning him to friendship. CHAPTER XXV WEEK DAY SESSION ELISHA’S HEAVENLY DEFENDERS II Kings 6: 8-17 THE MrEMory VERSE “The angel of Jehovah encampeth round about them that fear him, And delivereth them.”—Psalm 34: 7, THE LEssOoN SToRY Although General Naaman had become a friend of the people of Israel, the king of Syria still continued to lead his troops in raids against Samaria and the surrounding coun- try. It was not very long after the visit of Naaman to Elisha that one of these raids took place. But on this expedition, strange things happened. Spies from the Syrian army would start out from the camp at night ; they would come back bringing a report as to where the army of Israel was. But, however quickly they moved, they found that the army of Israel was even quicker. They were gone before the Syrians could reach them. “ Some one must be a traitor,” said the king. ‘“ Some one must be carrying word to the people of Israel as to what our plans are.” And he tried in every way to discover who the traitor could be. But really there was no traitor in the Syrian army. The Prophet Elisha was telling King Jehoram the plans of King Ben-hadad, for God had warned him of what was going to happen. There was some one among Ben-hadad’s men who knew about Elisha. Perhaps it was one of those who had been with Naaman when he visited the prophet. He told the king what he thought, and they made a new plan—to surround the prophet and to take him prisoner, so that he could no longer give information to King Jehoram. At this time Elisha was in Dothan, ten miles from Sa- 234 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 235 maria. The king of Syria sent his: armies to this place. Silently they moved forward, all the night. They reached Dothan undiscovered, and completely surrounded the city. Elisha’s servant (this was not Gehazi, who, you remember, had become a leper) got up very early in the morning, and went out into the city. He saw the great army of the enemy on the hills surrounding Dothan. He was terrified, and rushed back to the prophet. “My master! My master!” he called. “ What shall we do?” But Elisha was not frightened. “ Do not be afraid,” he said. “ Those that are for us are more than those who are against us.” And he prayed to God, “ Jehovah, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see.” “And Jehovah opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.” So God would pro- tect his prophet. There were guards about him who would care for him and protect him in time of need. HANDWORK Picture the scene upon the sand table. Remember that Dothan was in a hilly section of the country. Set up a group of your Oriental houses as the city of Dothan, and put the tents of the Syrians on the hills surrounding the city. Then, at some distance, set up the city of Samaria. NotTEBooK Work Continue the story of Elisha in your notebook. Map Work Indicate Dothan upon your map of Israel. MeEmMory Work “Open my eyes, that I may see Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me; Place in my hands the wonderful key That shall unclasp, and set me free. Silently now I wait for thee, Ready, my God, thy will to see; Open my eyes, illumine me, Spirit divine.” 236 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS THE WHITE COMRADE Lieutenant Roger Fenton had a lump in his throat when he said good-by to his boys. There they were in a bunch on the station platform, the ten boys into whom he had sought to instill the fear of God on Tuesday evenings in winter, and with whom he had rambled and played cricket every Satur- day afternoon in summer. . . . Now he had to leave them and lose them. For the great call had reached him, and he bore the king’s commission, and in his heart of hearts he had the feeling that he would never come back. Now the chaff and the parting words of good luck were over, and the train was panting to be off. ‘“ Boys,” he cried suddenly, “I want you to do something for me, something hard.” ‘“ Anything you like, sir,” they answered eagerly. But their faces fell when they heard their teacher’s words. “ Look here,” he said, “it’s this. You'll meet in the old place every Tuesday evening for a few minutes and pray for me that I do my duty, and, if it please God, that I may come back to you all. And Ill pray for you at the same time, even if I’m in the thick of battle. Is ita bargain?” ... It was a black day when the news came. The local Terri- torials had advanced too far on the wing of a great offensive, and had been almost annihilated. The few survivors dug themselves in, and held on until that bitter Tuesday faded into darkness and night. When relief came, one man was left alive. He was wounded in four places, but he was still loading and firing, and he wept when they picked him up and carried him away for first. aid. That solitary hero, abso- lutely the only hero of our local regiment, was Lieutenant Roger Fenton, V. C. When his wounds were healed and the king had done the needful bit of decoration, we got him home. . . . Some of us were at the station, and there, in the front row, were the ten men of prayer. Poor Roger quite broke down when he saw them. And he could find no words to thank them. But he wrung their hands until they winced with the pain of that iron grip. That night I had a chance to talk with him alone. He was too modest to tell me anything of his own great exploit. But it was evident that there was something that he wanted to say, and it was as if he did not know how to begin. At last JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 237 he said, “I have a story to tell that not one in fifty would listen to. That Tuesday evening when I was left alone, and had given up all hope, I remembered that it was the hour of the old meeting, and I kept my promise and prayed for the boys of my class. Then everything round me faded from my mind, and I saw the lads in the mission room at prayer. . . . [hey were kneeling on the floor, and Ted Harper was reading a prayer, and when it was done, they said, ‘ Amen,’ as with one voice. I counted to see if they were all there. I got to ten right enough, but I did not stop there. I counted again, and this is the odd thing—there were eleven of them! In my dream, or vision, or trance, call it what you will, I was vaguely troubled by their unexpected number. I saw the ten troop out in their old, familiar way, and I turned back to find the eleventh, the Comrade in White, and to speak to him. I felt his presence still, and was glad of it, for the trouble and perplexity were all gone, and in their place was a great expectation. I seemed to know the very place where he had been kneeling, and I hurried forward. But there was nothing to be seen, nothing but the well-remem- bered text staring down at me from the wall— For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.’ I remembered no more, until I found myself in the base hospital. But of course I knew then how I had been saved, and what my boys had done for me.”— From “’THEr ComrapE IN WHITE,” copyrighted by Flem- ming H, Revell and Company, and used by special permission. SUNDAY SESSION RETURNING GOOD FOR EVIL II Kings 6: 18-23 Tue Memory VERSE “Love your enemies, do good to them that hate you.” —lLuke 6:27. THE LESSON STORY The Syrians had surrounded Dothan, and Elisha seemed ina trap. But he knew that there were heavenly defenders 238 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS ready to care for him; that God would provide a way out of the difficulty. He prayed to God, and asked that the men of the enemy forces be temporarily blinded. He had made a plan whereby the lives of everyone on both sides should be safe. And God granted his prayer. Suddenly the men of the host of Syrians found that they could not see. “What is the matter? What is the matter?” they must have asked one another in terror. “Are we all blind? What has happened?” Elisha came to them. “I will lead you to the man whom you are seeking,” he said. Then, when they had accepted his offer, he led them from Dothan to the city of Samaria, ten miles away. How do you suppose that they followed him? Do you think that one man held on to another as they walked, each man with his hand on the shoulder of the man ahead of him? It must have taken almost all day to walk ten miles, blindly following their leader. ; Then, at last, they reached Samaria. Again Elisha prayed. ‘This time he asked God to open their eyes, that they might see. And when God granted this prayer, and once more they could see, they found that they were in Samaria, the very capital of the enemy. King Jehoram of Israel was wildly excited, when he found what had happened. What should he do? His enemies were in his hands. Should he kill them? He asked the advice of the prophet—the man who had alone, so it seemed to him, brought into the city, captive, the great band of the enemy. “My father, shall I smite them? Shall I smite them?” he asked. “No, no!” answered Elisha. “They are prisoners. It would be wrong to smite them. Give them food and water, and let them go.” And Jehoram did this. Not only did he provide bread and water, but a great feast. He gave them all the food that they could eat, and then let them go back to their homes. And after this, the men of that band were friendly to Israel. They “came no more into the land of Israel.” Once more, kindness had conquered an enemy. Puttinc THE Lesson INtTo THE LIFE OF THE CLASS An old proverb says that we should heap coals of fire on JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 239 the heads of our enemies. What does this mean? Can you do this? Read the entire proverb. Proverbs 25:21, 22. Would it have been “ fair play ” for Jehoram to have slain the Syrians who were in his power? What would have been the result? Probably much greater forces of the Syrians would have come against Israel, and there would have been much slaughter. As it was, the warfare was settled for the time, without the death of even one single soldier. Fair play always pays. In your school games you are always urged by your teach- ers to play fair. What would you think of a football team whose members cheated? Would you play with them again? On the other hand, when you play against a team whose members are all square, you acknowledge it, and cheer them, even if they beat your team. You are friendly enemies. The Syrians intended to harm Elisha, but he saved their lives when Jehoram asked him what should be done to them. He returned good for intended evil. Did you ever win an enemy to your side by doing some- thing kind for him? Jessie and Lillian have quarreled, and do not speak to one another. Jessie said unkind things about Lillian, and Lillian heard these things. What should she do? Should she say mean things, too? If she is like Elisha, she will not. She will try to be very nice to Jessie, and soon Jessie will be ashamed of herself, and will tell Lillian that she is sorry that she has been so mean. THE LEssoN TRUTH IN Your LIFE Let us try to return good for evil, every time that we have a chance. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY If there is anyone in your home or in your day school or even in this Department who has done something that you think is mean or unfair, try to be doubly kind to that person, and to do something good for him. 240 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS How A CHINESE CHRISTIAN OF ‘l‘o-Day ‘TREATS His ENEMIES The great Christian leader of China to-day is neither a preacher nor a teacher, but a soldier, an officer in the north- ern, or federal army, General Feng Yu Hsiang, commonly known as General Feng. ... In 1912, General Feng was sent to capture a strategic position in Szechwan Province. By skillful tactics his artillery demolished the only bridge across the river, and cut the southern army off from relief or retreat. Recognizing their plight, the southern commander surrendered, and his troops were lined up as captives before the victorious general of the northern army. What did he proceed to do with his prisoners of war? Send them into a prison camp, or keep them to do menial work for his army? Neither. He talked to the downcast soldiers like an older brother, explaining the political situation and the urgent need for all Chinese to stand together in the national crisis instead of wasting their strength fighting one another. “I’m going to let you keep your weapons,” said he, “and Ill give each man among you enough money to get home if you all agree to quit fighting and go away.” ‘To each officer he gave ten dollars, to each private, five. So overcome were the southern soldiers by the handsome treatment of the enemy general that they actually fell on the ground, weeping. By this deed of General Feng not only the rebellious city, but the entire province lost its fighting temper. It is easy to see how the new religion had influenced the military tactics of the Chinese general—From “A Noble Army,” by Ethel Daniels Hubbard. Used by permission of the author and publishers, the Central Committee of the United Study of Foreign Missions. EXPRESSIONAL SESSION GOD'S PROTEGLIINGCGARE Matthew 6: 25-34 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS God has always taken care of those who trust in him. Elisha was guarded by angelic hosts; Jacob saw the vision JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 241 of angels ascending and descending a ladder to heaven, and knew that God was everywhere. Abraham, Moses, Paul— all knew that God was caring for them. Jesus, in his Sermon on the Mount, told his hearers that God cared for them; he cares for the sparrow; how much more, then, he cares for human beings! Let us thank God for his care for us. THE CLAss PRAYER We thank thee, our Father in heaven, for thy watchful care over us. Guard us, we pray thee, in all our lives. Keep us from all evil thoughts and all evil deeds, as well as from danger. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. VERSES FoR USE IN THE MEETING Genesis 15:1; 28:15 Psalm 46:1; 121:3, 4; Matthew Zocor cts) 2/:: 22-2): Hymns tuat May Br UseEp IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING “God Who Made the Earth.” “ Night and Day.” “An Angel, Dear Father.” “Morning Prayer.” “Thanks for Constant Care.” QUESTIONS For USE IN THE MEETING 1. How did God show that he cared for Abraham? for Jacob? for Moses? 2. How did he show that he cared for and protected Paul? 3. How does God protect children to-day? 4. Have you ever felt that you were protected in a time of danger? Tell about it. 5. God sometimes uses human beings as means of pro- tecting those whom he loves. Can you help in protecting some one? Topics FOR DISCUSSION OR REPORTS 1. Protection from Danger. 2. God Protecting His People. 242 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 2. » Godi Protecting Jacob. 4. God Protecting the Children of Israel Through Moses. 5. Some Means of Protecting His People Which God Uses. (For instance: our parents; good laws; good gov- ernment officials. ) A Hymn to R&ap DurRING THE MEETING “An angel, dear Father, Oh, send us, we pray, To guard us, and never From us to turn away. “Oh, let him be near us, By day and by night, To comfort and cheer us And guide our steps aright. “An angel, dear Father, A heavenly friend, Oh, send us to guard us Until our life shall end.” To READ IN THE MEETING A PROMISE God will take care of you, all through the year; Crowning each day with his kindness and love, Sending you blessings, and shielding from fear, Leading you on to the bright home above. —F, R. HAVERGAL. MORNING HYMN “© Father, thou art near—so near Thy children while they work or play, Thine arms infold us tenderly— Oh, help us please thee, day by day! “The little flowers—we love them so— Along the hillside and the dell, With faces fair upturned to thee, Sweetly to us thy goodness tell. “The little birds that love to trill Their music over, morn and night, The breaking waves along the shore, Teach us to praise thee with delight. — ae i JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 243 “Father, all things together sing— The earth below, the skies above, And all the airs that round us breathe— The fullness of thy watchful love.” COMFORT FOR EVERY DAY “ All pathways are safe Where God leadeth the way; All places are peace Where his presence doth stay; All darkness dies out In the light of his face; All losses are gains In the wealth of his grace; All service runs fleet In the track of his feet; All labor is rest In his fellowship sweet.” GOD'S FATHER-CARE There is no birdling in the nest the breeze rocks in the tree, All featherless and fluttering, with eyes that cannot see, But brooding mother-wings are there to keep it snug and warm, And shelter it most lovingly from sunshine and from storm. To every flitting butterfly the flower-cups open wide; Beneath the green leaf’s canopy the meanest worm may hide, Each tiny insect finds or builds some little house or cell, And in and out goes happily, contented there to dwell. Now who has thought of all these things? Who planned and made them all? The One who counts the shining stars, and suffers none to fall; His tender Father-love is stretched o’er everything we see, And faileth never, night or day, to care for you and me. —From “Nature in Verses,” compiled by Mary I. Lovejoy. Published by Silver, Burdett and Company. SOMETHING TO Do THIS WEEK Find in the books that you read an example of protection, and report on this. Try to protect some one or something weaker than yourself, CHAPTER XXVI WEEK DAY SESSION THE GREAT FAMINE IN SAMARIA II Kings, chapter 7 Tie Memory VERSE “The eternal God is thy dwelling-place, And underneath are the everlasting arms.” —Deuteronomy 33: 27. THE LESSON STORY King Ben-hadad of Syria determined to besiege the capi- tal of Israel. He organized his army once more, and sent his troops against Samaria. They encamped around the city wall. So closely did they shut up the city that no one could go in or out. Soon the people of Samaria began to feel the effects of the siege. They were unable to get enough to eat. The time came when there. was nothing left at all, and the starving people began to eat the flesh of their own children. Jehoram, the king, was almost insane with grief and horror. He expressed the feeling, as was so often done in Bible times, by wearing a garment of sackcloth. It seemed to him that in some way Elisha the prophet was responsible for the trouble. He was like his father, Ahab, who had blamed the Prophet Elijah for drought, not realizing that the prophets were only the messengers of God, warning the people of the punishment which must come for their sins. Jehoram determined to kill Elisha. He sent a messenger to the prophet. But even before the messenger had reached Flisha’s house, the king was sorry for his act, and followed after him, to order that it should not be carried out. God saw the king’s ‘repentance and grief. He sent a mes- sage to him through Elisha. 244 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 245 “Thus saith Jehovah: To-morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.” “Oh, ho! Oh, ho!” jeered one of the lords of Samaria who had come in with the king. “ Such a thing is impos- sible. It could only be if the Lord would open windows in heaven.” The prophet turned sternly to the scoffer. “ These things. shall be,” he said, “and you shall see them come to pass, but you shall not eat of the food.” And that evening something strange happened in the camp of the Syrians. They wakened suddenly, thinking that they were attacked by the soldiers of Egypt. Hurriedly they left their camp, just as it was, and fled through the darkness for their lives. Now there were four lepers who lived in the fields outside of Samaria. They were not allowed to enter the city. They, too, were starving to death. And so they decided to go to the camp of the Syrians. “If they allow us to live, it will be good. If they kill us, we shall but die,” they said to one another. They stole up to the Syrian camp. They went into the first tent. No one there! But there was plenty of food, and they ate and drank. There was gold and silver and beautiful garments. The lepers looked at one another; they took a load of the treasures; they carried them to a secret place and hid them. Then they stole back to another tent. No one there! They carried off the treasures from this tent also. Then they began to think of others. “We are not doing right,” one of them said. “ This is a day of peace and good tidings. We should go immediately to Samaria and report what has happened.” So they went to the city gate. “ Ho, there, porter,” they called. ‘Ho, there! We are friends! Something impor- tant has happened! ”’ The porter looked out. They told him what they had seen in the camp of the Syrians and he hurried to report the matter to King Jehoram. The king did not wait until morn- ing. He called his men, and, although he feared a plot, he sent out messengers on five of the horses which were still alive of all the horses that there had been in Samaria. And 246 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS the messengers found that things were just as the four lepers had said. The camp of the Syrians was deserted. The road was strewn with garments and vessels which the Syrians had cast away in the haste of their flight. When the messengers returned and reported to the king what they had seen, the people rushed out from the city gates ; they entered the tents of the Syrians and found food for themselves, and they ate until they were satisfied. Elisha’s prophecy was fulfilled, for a measure of flour was sold at the gate of Samaria for a shekel, and so were two measures of barley. But as for the lord who had mocked at the prophet’s mes- sage, he was knocked down and trodden upon and killed by the people, as they hurried through the city gate. He saw Flisha’s prophecy fulfilled with his eyes, but he did not eat of the food. So once more God’s word through his prophet was car- ried out. HANDWORK Make on the sand table a representation of Samaria and the camp of the Syrians. NoteEBooK WorK Tell this story in your own words in your notebook, or write the outline of a short dramatization which your class might give. MerEmory WorkK Learn the words of Deuteronomy 33:29: “Happy art thou, O Israel: Who is like unto thee, a people saved by Jehovah, The shield of thy help, And the sword of thy excellency! And thine enemies shall submit themselves unto thee; And. thou shalt tread upon their high places,” JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 247 SUNDAY SESSION ELISHA’S LAST MESSAGE II Kings 13: 14-25 Tuet MreMory VERSE “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”’—Fcclesiastes 9: 10. THE Lesson STorRY Almost fifty years had passed since the great siege of Samaria. In that time many things had happened. The people of Israel, in spite of God’s lessons to them, had not repented of their sins, and Jehu, the son of Nimshi, had slain Jehoram and made himself king in his place. All this was according to God’s decree, but Jehu had not carried out God’s will in God’s way. He not only slew King Jehoram, but all of Ahab’s sons—seventy of them—in Samana. And wicked Queen Jezebel, the mother of King Jehoram, died as she deserved for wickedness, at the command of Jehu. Jehu reigned for twenty-eight years. He was succeeded by his son, Jehoahaz, who reigned for seventeen years. During the reign of Jehoahaz, the Israelites were so greatly oppressed by the Syrians that there were left to Israel only fifty horsemen and ten chariots and ten thousand foot soldiers. Jehoahaz was followed on the throne by his son Jehoash, who was another wicked king. It was during the early part of his reign that the Prophet Elisha, now an old man of eighty years, died. Even upon his deathbed he tried to do something for the people of Israel, whom he loved so well. He called the king to him, and Jehoash came. He knew that the old prophet had done many wonderful things for Israel, and he wept with grief as he came to him. “O my father, my father,” he cried, “thou art a greater protection to Israel than chariots and horsemen would be.” (He used the word “ father,” to show his respect for Elisha.) Elisha spoke one last command to him: “Take the bow and arrows,” he said. 248 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS King Jehoash, wondering, took the bow and arrows in his hand. “Open the window toward the east, which looks toward our enemy,” said the prophet. Jehoash, wondering, did this. Then Elisha put his hands upon the king’s hands. Shoot,” he said. The king obeyed. “The arrow of jehovah’s deliverance,” said the prophet. “It is the arrow of deliverance from Syria. You shall completely defeat your enemy at Aphek.” The king knew what the prophet meant by this. It was a custom in ancient times to declare war by shooting a single arrow into the territory of the enemy. Then once more Elisha spoke: ‘“ Take the arrows... . Smite upon the ground.” (By this he meant that the king was to shoot the arrows.) King Jehoash took the arrows. He must have known that Elisha meant him to take his command seriously. But in- stead of shooting the arrows until they were all gone, he struck the ground with the arrows just three times—and then stopped. The prophet was angry. “ You should not have stopped,” he cried. “ You should have gone on until all the arrows had been used! Now you will defeat the Syrians only three times. You will not conquer them completely!” King Jehoash had lost his chance. He had shown himself unfit to rule, because he had failed to carry out the prophet’s com- mands completely. “ And Jehoash the son of Jehoahaz took again out of the hand of Ben-hadad the son of Hazael the cities which he had taken out of the hand of Jehoahaz his father by war. Three times did Joash smite him, and recovered the cities Obstacle Elisha had preached and prophesied in Israel for more than sixty years. He had been one of the greatest men that Israel had ever known. But now the time had come for the end of his ministry of kindness. His last act was an act of love for his king and his country. And when he died he was honored by king and country alike for the great and good life he had led as God’s prophet. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 249 PuTTING THE LESSON INTO THE LIFE OF THE CLASS Jehoash failed his countrymen because he did not perse- vere in doing as Elisha wanted him to do. Do boys and girls of to-day ever fail in the same way? Do you ever fail in school because you have only half studied your lesson? Do you ever make a halfway effort and then give up? Then you are like King Jehoash of Israel. God expects his followers to do with all their might what their hands find to do. God would have given victory to Jehoash as many times as he shot the arrows. He has countless blessings ready for us 1f we will have them. If Jehoash had persevered in the little thing, he would have shown that he was ready for the larger victory. God is always testing our fitness to receive his blessings by the way we do little things. He that is faithful in little is faithful also in much. Tur LESSON TRUTH IN YourR LIFE Let us do our very best in every little thing, so that we may be prepared when the time comes for us to do greater things. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY During the week, try in every task that lies before you, to persevere until you feel sure that you have done your very best. A Project FOR THE CLASS Do you remember that in Chapter XXII you were asked to plan a dramatization of the life of Elisha? This is the last lesson about the great prophet. Dramatize his story. PERSEVERANCE WINS A young girl sat singing at the piano. “ Sing it again,” said the singing teacher, and the tired girl sang it again and 250 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS again and again. “ But you do not sing it properly, and 1 question if you will ever make a great singer.” But the little girl tried hard and practiced the next day and the next. One day she stood before five thousand men and women, and she sang until she seemed to take them out of themselves and carry them up in the clouds of enchantment, over seas of melody, into an ecstasy of delight, until the people wept from the excess of their emotions. The girl was Lillian Nordica—JAMES TERRY WHITE. Se EXPRESSIONAL SESSION THE VALUE OF PERSEVERANCE Luke 11: 5-10 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS King Jehoash of Israel failed in perseverance. He did not continue to “smite upon the ground” with his arrows, until the arrows were all shot, and so he lost the complete victory over the Syrians which he might have won. Jesus, in one of his parables, tells the story of a man who persevered until his request was granted. He adds the great promise, “ Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” We must all learn the lesson of seeking earnestly, of not giving up too easily, of keeping on in spite of discourage- ments. Let us ask God to help us in these things. Tue Criass PRAYER O God, help us to do those things which are right, even when we find that it is hard to do them. Help us to perse- vere in every good thing, and not to be discouraged in our right undertakings. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. VERSES FoR UsE IN THE MEETING Luke 18: 1-5; Ephesians 6: 18. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS ZoL Hymns THat May Bg Usep IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING jeranth otOur Pathers.” “ “Follow Me.’ ” “ He Leadeth Me.” “ My Lord, in Glory.” “ Soldiers of Christ.” “Through the Night.” QUESTIONS FoR USE IN THE MEETING 1. Why do you suppose that Jehoash failed in persever- ance to the end? 2. What did Jesus praise about the man in the parable of the Friend at Midnight? 3. How did Abraham show perseverance? 4. How did Paul show perseverance? 5. How do missionaries in foreign lands have to show perseverance 6. How many Juniors to-day show perseverance? Topics FoR DISCUSSION OR REPORTS 1. Bible Men and Women Who Kept On in Spite of Discouragements. 2. Heroes of the Church Who Persevered for the Right. 3. Perseverance in Missionary Work. 4. Persevering in My School Work. 5. How a Junior To-Day May Persevere for the Right. To READ IN THE MEETING It is said that one of the richest silver mines in the world was found only two yards from where the original pros- pector stopped digging. It is said that the architect of a great church made sixty plans which were rejected. He was about to give up. “Make the sixty-first, John,” said his wife, “or more if necessary.” The sixty-first plan was accepted. “Tf at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.” 252 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS A pocket handkerchief to hem— Oh, dear, oh, dear, oh, dear! How many stitches it will take Before it’s done, I fear. Yet a stitch, and then a stitch, And stitch and stitch away, Till stitch by stitch the hem is done; And after work is play. —C, G. Rossertr. SOMETHING To Do THis WEEK In everything that you have to do, keep on until you have completed it to the very best of your ability. - as ia ae ; x ae 7 mtd HVIdVado THOLF HVINVHdaZ *sqaydold 9Y} fO Azlauy Squadung WOOL CHAPTER XXVII WEEK DAY SESSION NORTHERN ISRAEL AND THE PROPHETS II Kings 14: 23-29; Hosea 6: 1-6; Amos 6: 1-6 THe MrEMory VERSE “© Israel, return unto Jehovah thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity.”—Hosea 14:1. Tue LEsson SToRY When King Jehoash of Israel died, he was succeeded by his son, Jeroboam, who reigned in Samaria for forty-one years (790-749). At this time Northern Israel reached the height of its prosperity. The kingdom was, in the main, at peace, and there was opportunity for the people to make the most of the resources of the land, and to grow rich. But the leaders of the people failed them. The king fol- lowed in the footsteps of Jeroboam, the first king of the Northern Kingdom, who had led the nation into sin, and the nobles followed the example of the king. The rich people of the land became richer and richer. They built for them- selves great palaces, summer homes and winter homes, furnished most luxuriously, with all sorts of extravagant fittings. They had couches of ivory; they lived upon the richest food; not satisfied with drinking wine by the cupful, they drank it by the bowlful. They pretended to worship God, it is true, but all the time they were oppressing the poor, and disobeying God’s commands. And so, to warn the people of Israel that they should repent of their sins, or they would have to be punished, God sent his spokesmen to them—the Prophets Amos and Hosea. One day a strange figure appeared among the people who had gathered at Beth-el from all parts of Northern Israel for one of the yearly festivals of the Jews. He seemed only 253 254 JUNIOR CHURCH. SCHOOLSLESSONS a very humble person when he was first noticed in the crowd —a man dressed in the clothes of a shepherd, who spoke with the accent of southern Judah. It was Amos, the shep- herd and tender of sycomore trees from Tekoa, the little town south of Jerusalem, in Judea. Suddenly he began to speak. What was he saying? Something about their enemies, it seemed. Listen! “Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Da- mascus, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof. . . . But I will send a fire into the house of Hazael, and it shall devour the palaces of Ben-hadad.”’ The people nodded their heads. Here was a true prophet, speaking the fate of their enemies! He continued: “ Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgres- sions of Gaza, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punish- ment thereof. ... The remnant of the Philistines shall perish, saith the Lord Jehovah.” The people crowded still closer as the prophet continued to speak the word of God concerning other enemies—the Edomites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the people of Judah. And then—his speech took a new turn: “Thus saith Jehovah: For three transgressions of Israel, yea, for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof ; because they have sold the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of shoes. . . . I shall visit the transgressions of Israel upon him.” The nobles turned away, angered. The people would listen no longer when they heard the punishment of their own nation foretold. But Amos continued to preach as long as he was allowed to do so; and when he was no longer allowed to preach, he put his prophecies in writing. Amos was the first of the prophets to do this. Another prophet of the Northern Kingdom who lived at about the same time as Amos was Hosea. Like Amos, Hosea saw that the Kingdom of Israel was in danger of punishment if the people did not turn from their evil ways. He, too, preached repentance. He tried to lead the people to righteousness by showing them how much God loved them, how much he longed to have them give up their sinful ways and to return to the worship of the true God. But the people listened neither to Amos nor to Hosea. cl te a ae a JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 299 Israel continued in its wicked ways, and soon punishment came, as the prophets had foretold. HANDWoORK AND Map WorkK Draw upon the blackboard the map of Israel, indicating Samaria. Note that in the reign of Jeroboam II, Northern Israel, at the north, east, and west, reached the boundaries which David’s empire had reached. NotTEBooK WorK ‘The Prophet Amos was a shepherd and a dresser of syco- more trees. The sycomore was not like our sycamore, but was a kind of fig tree, of which the fruit was very coarse, and eaten by only the poorest people. Write in your note- book a little biography of Amos, adding an account of some other shepherds who are important in the history of Israel. MEmory Work “Only a messenger, yet ready am I Sweetly to answer with the prompt reply, Master, the message that thou givest me, Gladly will I carry, blessed Lord, for thee. “Only a messenger, yet bravely I go, Scattering brightness just the best I know; Smiling and happy as the day is long, Driving back the teardrops with some happy song. “Only a messenger, yet honored am I Serving the King of kings, the Lord most high; Faithful I’ll try to be unto the end, Tor the God of love is my dear Lord and Friend.” SUNDAY SESSION THE DOWNFALL OF ISRAEL II Kings 17: 1-18 Tur MrEMory VERSE “Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live; and so Jehovah, the God cf hosts, will be with you.”—Amos 5: 14. . SNOS'S NOSTIN S*ANOEL Aa BOOOOOOR ‘SSW 40 AIVDS 0€:S7—£Z:>1 SONIM I ONILVULSNTH SSONS E IOOL L SCI (I | 1 | ( an Ss p4 =) x S a S Z =) =, L JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 257 Tur LESSON STORY The kingdom of Jeroboam II seemed very prosperous. Its boundaries stretched far. The nobles lived lives of luxury. But the prosperity of the land was not real pros- perity. Though the Israelites outwardly worshiped God, they did not really obey his commandments with all their hearts. They oppressed the poor; they were self-indulgent and luxurious. So God would punish them for their sins. But first he warned them through the messages of the prophets. Far to the northeast a great empire was growing in strength and power. The Assyrians were planning to make themselves the masters of the world; from year to year they were extending the boundaries of their empire. Soon they would turn their attention to the west, and to Palestine. In the Kingdom of Israel, Jeroboam II died, after a long reign of forty-one years, and was followed by his son Zech- ariah. Zechariah, after a reign of only six months, was killed in a conspiracy against him, led by Shallum. Shallum reigned only one month, and then, he, too, in turn, was killed by Menahem, who ruled for ten years. It was in the reign of Menahem that Tiglath-pileser, or Pul, king of Assyria, first came against Israel, and demanded a tribute. Menahem, in order to avoid war, paid the tribute —a thousand talents of silver (nearly two million dollars )— but in order to get it together, he taxed the wealthy men of the land fifty shekels each. This tax was, of course, un- popular, and many of the people of Israel thought that Menahem had acted in a cowardly and treacherous manner. And so it came about that the people rebelled again. Menahem’s son, Pekahiah, ruled only two years, and then was killed by Pekah, one of his captains, who reigned twenty years. Then Pekah was slain by Hoshea, who was the last king of Israel. During the reign of Pekah, Tiglath-pileser invaded the northern part of the land, and carried away captive many of the people. But it was during the reign of Hoshea that the end finally came. At first Hoshea paid tribute to Assyria, whose king was at this time Shalmaneser, but finally he conspired with 258 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS Assyria’s greatest enemy, Egypt, and sent no tribute to Assyria. ‘The armies from the northeast moved to Samaria. For three years the city in the hills held out, and then it yielded to the enemy. Its people were carried away captive, scattered through the Assyrian Empire, and in the records of King Sargon, who had succeeded Shalmaneser, there is found this statement: “In the beginning of my reign and in the first year of my rule .. . I besieged Samaria and con- quered it. ‘Twenty-seven thousand, two hundred and ninety of its inhabitants I carried into captivity; fifty of their chariots I carried away from there (to add to) my royal fighting: force. 34.) I restoredsiteagain, andy vavemimimioce population than formerly. I settled there people from the lands that I had conquered. I appointed my officers as gov- ernors over them. ‘Tributes and customs like those of the Assyrians, I imposed upon them.” | So Israel had fallen. Never again would it be a nation. There were strangers settled in the country. Never again would there be a Northern Kingdom of God’s people. They had had their chance, when Jeroboam I became their king, to show that they were God’s chosen people. But they had disobeyed God; they had worshiped idols; they had failed to listen to the prophets. “Therefore Jehovah was very angry with Israel, and re- moved them out of his sight: there was none left but the tribe of Judah only.” Puttine THE Lesson INTo THE LIFE OF THE CLASS Though God forgives sinners who repent, he punishes those who do not repent. Again and again God warns those who sin, before he punishes them. But at last, if they do not heed his warn- ings, the time of punishment comes. Our nation to-day should learn a lesson from the people of the past. We should try to keep God’s laws, and to re- member that we are God’s people. Though we may not worship idols such as the ancient Israelites worshiped, we may forget God, and worship some- JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 259 thing else in his place. Then we shall be like the Israelites, and deserve punishment. THE Lesson TRUTH IN Your LIFE We will try in all our lives to give God his rightful place, and not to put anything or anyone else first. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Try especially this week, to do, as far as you are able, as God would have you do, in word and in deed. Tue NAMEs oF THE Last KiIncs oF ISRAEL COA Zee tee pete tS oa! 819 B. c—805 B. c. Hoc immotm ChOdSH wot oy.) 805 B. c—790 B. c. Pemouoanielen me es sy. 790 B. c.—749 B.C. WSEAS on a hae eee 749 B. c. (About six months) SS TURE 2 en ee em eee 749 B. c. (One month) | Sra eH NTS a Ae 747 B. C738 B. C. Peek al ialinesst ans, F050 tes LO/eBaC 50 Ba CAEN eh: AE al aa el er a 735 B. C.-730 B. C. ROS CARERS Ae Concer tein, 7O0SBNC-/226BeCs | THE Kincs or ASSYRIA Mi latienilescisaOGal Uleeets cae hele cafe «s 745 B. C.-727 B.C. we) EV UTS: Bk Nee Ae NG Sn J 21 BACH /2ZeR eC SHIRAI "Rey 5 Sa sone i eRe ea ae (2208 C/U DEB aCe SCTUENKO SEN ee pat act Si PC PE Oa 705 B. c.—680 B. ¢c. i cera op bs oeeed anos ook eee ee 680 B. c.668 B. C. / NSTI SRE HTL oh ood Moree Memories 668 B. c.—625 B. Cc. EXPRESSIONAL SESSION MESSAGES OF AMOS AND HOSEA FOR Se LG “DALY Amos 5:4, 21-24; Hosea 14:1, 4 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS There are many lessons in the prophecies of Amos and Hosea which we who live to-day can profit by, although we 260 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS live more than twenty-five hundred years later than they lived. Many of their messages are for the people of all time. Amos, for instance, teaches the lesson of temperance, of the foolishness of pride, of justice to all, of true worship. Hosea shows us how greatly God loves the people of the world, and longs to have them turn from their sins, back to him, ‘These are lessons for us to-day, as well as for the people of their own time. Let us ask God to help us to learn some of the lessons which are taught in the prophecies of these great men. ‘ THE CLAss PRAYER Our Father in heaven, help us to learn some of the lessons which are taught to us in the words of the prophets. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen. VERSES FOR Usk IN THE MEETING Amos 5:4, 14, 21; 6: 1-6; 8:4-7; Hosea 6: 4-6; 11:1-3; Matthew 6: 33. Hymns THAT May Bs USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING “O Love that Wilt Not Let Me Go.” “ Immortal Love.” “ Saviour, Teach Me, Day by Day.” “Though for Sins Our Hearts Must Sorrow.” “© Lord, How Good, How Great Thou Art.” QUESTIONS FoR UsE IN THE MEETING 1. What was the teaching of Amos in, regard to temperance? 2. What did he say in regard to true worship? 3. What did he say in regard to oppressing the poor? 4. Which of the teachings of Hosea do you think is the most important to you? 5. What did Hosea say in regard to goodness and worship ? Topics FoR DIscussION oR REPORTS 1. A Comparison of Hosea and Amos. ae ee eS ~~. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 261 2. Some of the Things that the Teachings of These Prophets Mean for Us of To-Day. 3. What a Modern Amos Would Find to Reform in America. (a) Would he say that Americans were too luxurious? (b) Would he say that we are overindulgent in eating and drinking? (c) Would he say that we keep Sunday as it ought to be kept? (d) Would he say that we oppressed other people? (e) What would he say about our treatment of the poor? 4. What a Modern Hosea Would Find of Which He Would Disapprove. To READ IN THE MEETING “If Amos were living now, he would find the same neces- sity of rebuking pride in New York and London, in Paris and Berlin, as he did in Samaria and Beth-el.” “Temperance puts coals on the fire, meal in the barrel, money in the purse, credit in the community, contentment in the house, clothes on the children, vigor in the body, intelli- gence in the whole constitution.” —-BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. “The successful man makes something besides money.” “ Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” “Truth is the summit of living; justice is the application of it to affairs.” _ “What doth Jehovah require of thee, but to do justly, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with thy God?” SoMETHING To Do THis WEEK Try to see how many of the teachings of the prophets you can carry out in your own lives this week. For instance, do you eat too much candy? ‘Try to restrain yourself. Are you careless about the way in which you “remember the sabbath day, and keep it holy”? ‘Try to do better. Are we vain about our acts, our looks, our strength? Try to conquer this fault. CHARA Raa TUT WEEK DAY SESSION THE STORY OF THE SOUTHERN KINGDOM If Chronicles 12: 16; Chapters 14; 16:13; 17: 1-6; lous Zlib 20 22alao Ture MEMory VERSES “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Therefore will we not fear, though the earth do change, And though the mountains be shaken into the heart of the seas; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, Though the mountains tremble with the swelling thereof.” —Psalm 46: 1-3. THE Lesson STORY For many weeks we have been studying about Israel, the northern division of the kingdom of God’s chosen people, and have barely touched upon the story of the people of Judah, the Southern Kingdom. Sometimes the history of Israel and of Judah touched; sometimes the people were enemies ; sometimes they were friends. But in the main the story of Judah was uneventful in comparison with that of Israel. The territory of Judah was very small. The land was rocky and barren, and there was very little to attract a foreign invader. But the people of Judah had the city of Jerusalem in their midst, with Solomon’s Temple, where they worshiped the true God. Instead of many lines of kings such as Israel had, Judah had but one line, the descendants of David and Solomon. King Rehoboam, Solomon’s son who lost the Kingdom of Israel, ruled in Judah for seventeen years. He was suc- ceeded by his son Abijah, or Abijam, who ruled for three 262 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 263 years. Abijah was followed by King Asa, of whom the Bible says that he “did that which was good and right in the eyes of Jehovah his God.” He destroyed the high places of Judah, where some of the people worshiped heathen gods, and he fortified many of the cities of his land. For ten years during his reign, Judah had peace, and when an enemy from Ethiopia did come against them in what seemed to be over- whelming numbers, Asa prayed to God, and Judah was given a miraculous victory. For forty-one years Asa ruled the people of Judah. He was followed upon the throne by his son Jehoshaphat, who, you remember, became a friend of Ahab of Israel, and was allied with him at the time of the battle in which Ahab was killed. (Chapter XXI.) The daughter of Ahab, Athaliah, became the wife of Jehoram, the son of Jehoshaphat, and so once more Judah and Israel were on friendly terms. Jehoshaphat ruled for twenty-five years. His son, Je- horam, or Joram, was associated with him as king during part of this time. Jehoram ruled alone for about eight years, and was then followed by his son Ahaziah. Ahaziah had ruled for only one year when he was slain by Jehu, in his _ struggle against Baal worship in Israel. When the news of the death of Ahaziah was carried back to his mother, Athaliah, in Jerusalem, she showed that she was a worthy daughter of wicked Queen Jezebel. She de- cided to make herself queen of Judah. Quickly she gave the order that all the heirs of the throne should be killed, that every child who might claim the kingdom should be de- stroyed. So she made herself queen—a heathen worshiper of Baal in God’s holy city. Map Work Draw on the blackboard a map of the Southern Kingdom of Judah, with its capital, Jerusalem. NoTEBooK WorK Begin a new section in your notebook, “ The Southern Kingdom of Judah.” Then copy down the names of the kings of Judah who followed Solomon. Find out some- thing about each one of these, and write this after his name. 264 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS For Rehoboam, for instance, write the words of TI Chron- icles 12:14; for Abijam, I Kings 15:3; for Asa, I Kings Lop ds TABLE OF THE KINGS OF JUDAH REhODOATT racic, Seton aes vere ro dee eer EE ee 931 B. c-915 B. cc. AbijammoraA bijaliyemec tne ner en cee 915 8. Cc. -912 eames ASA SEE Revel Waate Bet eee cee teneene ee 912 8. c.-871 B.C. Jehoshaphat, associated with his father, 875 B. c. Jehoshaphat: 2.5. e tn i. rennet 871 B. c-850 B.C. Jehoram associated with his father, 854 ps. c. ehoram™ or | Oratitenn meta tierce 849 B. c—842 B. C. A hiadziah eyo ee sewers steerer tee Catan iee ea nee 842 B.C. Compare this table with the table of the kings of Israel, and see how many there were in this same period. MerEmory WorkK Remember that King Asa of Judah won a mighty victory over the Ethiopians, because he trusted in God. In his prayer to God, he said these words: “ Jehovah, there is none besides thee to help, between the mighty and him that hath no strength: help us, O Jehovah our God; for we rely on thee, and in thy name are we come against this multitude. O Jehovah, thou art our God; let no man prevail against thee.” Then learn the following words: “ Sing ye praises through the land; the Lord with his right hand, With his mighty arm hath gotten himself the victory now. He hath scattered their forces, both the riders and their horses, There is none that fighteth for us, O God, but only thou.” SUNDAY SESSION JOASH,? THE BOY*kKINGIOBR ISR ABE II Kings, chapter 11 Tur Memory VERSES “There is a river, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, The holy place or the tabernacle of the Most High. Le JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 265 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God will help her, and that right early.”—Psalm 46: 4, 5. THE LEsson STORY Wicked Queen Athaliah thought that she had had killed all the heirs to the throne of Judah, but she was mistaken. In one of the rooms of the palace there was one little baby who escaped the notice of the men sent by the queen to do her wicked will. This was baby Joash, the son of Ahaziah and Zibiah of Beer-sheba. His aunt, Jehosheba, the wife of Jehoiada, the high priest of God in the Temple, loved the little boy. She and his nurse managed to hide him in one of the bedrooms of the palace. Then, when the excitement died away, the baby and his nurse were taken to the Temple and hidden in one of the storerooms there. For six years little Joash was kept in the Temple, and his wicked grandmother, Athaliah, ruled in Judah. God’s Tem- ple was a safe place for the little lad in those days, for very many of the people followed the leadership of the queen, and turned to the worship of Baal. So the beautiful Temple of Solomon was neglected. Its great courts were often empty, and the little king played there in safety, following the priests as they did their duties, listening to stories of his great ancestors, Solomon and David, perhaps doing little errands for the priests as the boy Samuel had done for Fi in the tabernacle, so many years before. He learned there many lessons from God’s law. And then, one day, when he was seven years old, Uncle Jehoiada called him. “My child,” he said solemnly, “you are the descendant of David and Solomon; you are the real king of Judah. God promised to David that his children and grandchildren should rule in the land. You are old enough now to understand. The true patriots in Judah want to make you king.” How excited the boy must have been! His uncle told him exactly what to do, as he and others who loved Judah had planned. Silently one day the Temple guard came together. Quietly Jehoiada armed them, giving them as weapons the spears and 266 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS shields which had been hung in the Temple as trophies of King David’s bravery. ‘They stood on guard around the sides of the Temple court. They were ordered to kill any- one who came in, except those who were loyal. Messages had been sent to the faithful people of Judah. They had gathered in the outer court—the chiefs of the fami- lies from all Judah, the captains of hundreds, the faithful priests and Levites, each man armed to protect the little king if it should be necessary. And then Jehoiada led forward the little boy. He stood beside one of the great pillars. They put the crown upon his head, and a copy of the law in his hand. They anointed him king of Judah according to the old rites and ceremonies. How the loyal people shouted! “God save the king!” they cried. “God save the king!” Once more there was a king of David’s line, to sit upon the throne of Israel. Queen Athaliah in the palace heard the noise and the ex- citement. She rushed to the Temple; she saw the little boy standing beside the pillar with the crown upon his head; she heard a great noise of trumpets and other instruments of music, and the shouts of the people. She knew that the end of her reign had come. She tore her clothes in rage, crying: “Treason! Treason!” But there was no one to help her. Jehoiada ordered the soldiers to seize her. “Do not kill her in God’s house,” he said. “Take her away.” So wicked Queen Athaliah was punished for her sins. Little Joash was made king of Judah, and once more a descendant of David was on the throne at Jerusalem, and once more God’s Temple was made a place of worship for the people of Judah. PutTInc THE LkEsson IN?To THE LIFE OF THE CLASS God had promised David that he would establish the throne of his kingdom forever, and the baby Joash was miraculously saved to be the king of Judah. God’s promises are always carried out. God takes care of his children in many ways. One way in which he provides for them is through their parents and JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 267 older relatives. He cares for you to-day, just as he cared for little Joash through his uncle and aunt. Though outwardly it seemed as if most of the people of Judah worshiped idols, there were many who really wor- shiped the true God and were ready when the opportunity came to show this. Are you ready to stand by your colors, all alone, or do you wait until some one else takes the first step? Joash was only seven years old when he became king. But good Jehoiada was his counselor and guide, and as long as Joash followed his advice, he did well. We should listen to the counsel and advise of those older than ourselves, and try to do as they would have us do. When little Joash was crowned king of Judah, so many hundreds of years ago, the roll of the law was put into his hand, to show that he was expected to be loyal to God, and to lead his people to be loyal. When little Edward VI, a boy of nine, was crowned as king of England in 1547, for the first time in English history a Bible was put in his hand with the scepter, and he was proclaimed “defender of the faith,” as well as king of England. When you become a member of the Church, you, too, promise to be a defender of the faith, and to be loyal to God. THE LEsson TRutTH IN Your LIFE “Fiven a child maketh himself known by his doings.” We will try, by the way in which we act, to show that we are trying to do as God would have us to do, and following the advice of those who are wiser than we ourselves are. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Choose members of the class to be the different characters in the story of Joash, and act it out, some day during the week. To READ IN THE MEETING “Tn a remote district of Wales a baby boy lay danger- 268 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS ously ill. ‘The widowed mother walked five miles in the night through drenching rain to get a doctor. The doctor hesitated about making the unpleasant trip. Would it pay? he questioned. He would receive no money for his services, and, besides, if the child’s life were saved, he would no doubt become only a poor laborer. But love of humanity and professional duty conquered, and the little life was saved. Years afterwards when this same child—Lloyd George—became Chancellor of the Exchequer, the doctor said, ‘I never dreamed that in saving the life of that child on the farm hearth, I was saving the life of the leader of Wales.’ ” EXPRESSIONAL SESSION WILLING GIFTS FOR GOD’S HOUSE II Kings 12:4, 9-15 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS ‘As little King Joash grew older, he realized that the Tem- ple, in which he had lived as a very little boy, was in great need of repair. He felt that God’s house should be put in order. He asked that the people give money for this work. With his uncle, Jehoiada, he made a plan. A chest was placed in the Temple court, near the altar. There was a hole in the lid of the chest, and in it the people who came to worship, dropped their offerings. And so generous was their giving, that soon the chest was full, and the money had to be taken from it, and put in bags. Workmen were hired; they did their work well and honorably. They faithfully did their very best in everything. Here is a lesson for us. We, too, want God’s house to be well cared for, and we can share in the work by giving our offerings when they are needed for God’s house, by being careful of church property, by trying in every way to do what we can to care for those things which are dedicated to God. Let us ask God to make us ready and glad to help in caring for his house. THE Crass PRAYER We want to show our love for thee, our Father in heaven, JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 269 in every way that we can. And so we ask that we may be generous and willing to give of our good things to help in thy work. Make us glad to give. Help us to be thoughtful and careful of the things of thy house, remembering that it is thine. We ask in the name of Jesus, who drove out the money changers from the Temple, thy house. Amen. VERSES FoR USE IN THE MEETING Deuteronomy 16:17; Psalm: #b22:1°3) Proverbs. °3:9’; Matthew 21:12, 13; I Corinthians 16:2; II Corinthians 9: 7. Hymns THAT May Be Usep In CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING “T Love Thy Kingdom, Lord.” “ We Give Thee But Thine Own.” “Grant Us Hearts, Dear Lord, to Yield to Thee.” “ Tesus to Thee, Our Offering.” “ Here We Come with Gladness.” QUESTIONS FoR USE IN THE MEETING 1. Why is it necessary for people to give offerings for God’s house? 2. How should we give? 3. Is the offering which you give in church or Sunday school your own offering or the offering of your parents? 4. If you cannot give very much money for use in God’s house, what gifts can you make? Are you a willing and cheerful giver? Topics FoR DISCUSSION OR REPORTS Stewardship. Caring for the Property of the Church. Caring for God’s House Itself. How Our Offerings Are Used. The Cheerful Giver. Honorable Workmen. II Kings 12:15. SIS aa en ey To READ IN THE MEETING Our love for God’s house should show itself in little services until there is opportunity for great services. 270 JUNIOR CHURCH SSCHOOLIERSSONS “If we love God’s house, we shall speak of it with loving enthusiasm, we shall be working for it all the week and not merely on Sunday; our prayers for it will rise continually, and all our hopes and ambitions will center in it.” “Every Christian should feel himself responsible for his full share of care for the Lord’s house. He can give money and time and thought and care.” “Of thine own we offer, Of thy gifts we give. Unto thee, O Father, In whose life we live.” “Tord of all creation, now before thy throne, We thy people bring thee gifts that are thine own. Thine is all the greatness, power and glory thine, High o’er all exalted, majesty divine.” SOMETHING TO Do TH1Is WEEK Try to do something to keep the grounds of the church neat. For instance, be careful about throwing papers or scraps around. If the hymn books are torn, have a week-day meeting to repair them. If you can help with the flowers for the church, do so. CHARTER EXXILX: WEEK DAY SESSION HEZEKIAH REBELS AGAINST SENNACHERIB II Kings 18: 1-8, 13-21, 36 THE MEMORY VERSES “The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved: He uttered his voice, the earth melted. Jehovah of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.”—Psalm 46: 6, 7. THE LESSON STORY King Joash of Judah reigned well, as long as the good priest Jehoiada was alive. But after the death of his friend and counselor, Joash forgot many of the lessons that he had learned, and in the latter part of his reign he allowed the people to worship idols; he was defeated in battle by the Syrians; and at last his own attendants conspired against him, and murdered him. His son, Amaziah, succeeded him as king, and reigned twenty-nine years. He, in turn, was followed by his son, Uzziah, who became king when he was sixteen years old, and reigned fifty-two years. On the whole the reign of Uzziah was prosperous and happy for the people of Judah. He “set himself to seek God,” under the guidance of the Prophet Zechariah, and under such leadership the nation prospered. He carried on a successful war against the Philistines, the Arabians, and other enemies. He fortified Jerusalem and invented engines of war which could shoot arrows and great stones from the battlements of the city. But Uzziah became too proud of his own power. He attempted to burn incense in the Temple, in spite of the protests of the priests, and, as a punishment, he was stricken with leprosy. He had to live in a separate house, for, ac- 27/1 272 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS cording to the Jewish law, he could not associate with other people. He could no longer reign as king, and his son Jotham became ruler in his place. Jotham reigned for sixteen years, in connection with his father and alone, and was followed by one of the most wicked and idolatrous kings that Judah ever had—Ahaz, who worshiped idols, who “ cut in pieces the vessels of the house of God,” and who “ made him altars in every corner of Jerusalem.” But, strange as it seems, the son of wicked King Ahaz was a good king—Hezekiah, whose mother’s name is told Ht TAN, a Nt NG ae a, \A A ) Goes < inet ania Pe Pe ae RAIN BHA On eee A CITY BESIEGED BY SENNACHERIB us, probably because it may have been she who trained him to live aright. She was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. Hezekiah’s reign began in 728 B. c. As soon as he became king—“ in the first year of his reign, in the first month,”’— he opened the Temple which had been closed for worship. He summoned the priests and the Levites to the broad square at the east of the city, and commanded them to put the Temple in order. Then, when all was ready, he summoned the true worship- ers of God, from all parts of Israel and Judah, from Dan to Beer- sheba, and for the first time in many years, the passover was celebrated. For seven days the people feasted and offered sacrifices and peace offerings, and made confession JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 273 of their sons to God. So greatly had the people been blessed by their return to the worship of Jehovah that they planned to continue the festival for seven days more. “So there was great joy in Jerusalem; for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.” But the reign of Hezekiah was not all peaceful. In his sixth year, 722 B. C., Samaria was taken by King Sargon, the Assyrian. Eight years later the Assyrians came against the fortified cities of Judah, and took many of them. At the death of Sargon, his son Sennacherib became king. He was one of the haughtiest, most splendid, and most powerful of all the kings of Assyria. He felt that as the son of a mighty conqueror, at the head of a magnificent army, he was the lord of the world. In fact, in one of his inscriptions he calls himself, “the great, the powerful king, the king of the Assyrians, of the nations, of the four regions, the diligent ruler, the favorite of the great gods, the observer of sworn faith, the guardian of law, the establisher of monuments, the noble hero, the strong warrior, the first of kings, the punisher of unbelievers, the destroyer of wicked men.” In one of his many campaigns Sennacherib came against Phoenicia and Palestine. He captured many of the fortified cities in the northern part of Judah, and inspired all the people of these regions with terror. Of Hezekiah he says in one of his inscriptions: “ Himself as a bird in a cage in the midst of Jerusalem, his royal city, I shut up.” At this terrible time, Hezekiah sent to Sennacherib, who was at Lachish, a city in the lowlands of Judah, and offered submission. A tremendous tribute—three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold—was demanded, and Hezekiah found it necessary to take much of the gold and silver from the Temple, in order to pay it. But even this did not satisfy Sennacherib. He sent three of his chief officers and many troops to Jerusalem, and de- manded its surrender. The people crowded to the house- tops, weeping and despairing. They gazed at the mighty warriors at the gate, half dead with terror. The king alone showed calmness. He sent out three of his officers to meet the three officers of Sennacherib. The Rabshakeh, or chief captain of the Assyrians, began 274 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS his speech boldly and insolently, speaking in the language of the Jews: “Say ye now to Hezekiah, Thus saith the great king, the king of Assyria.” He showed that he knew much of the politics and religion of Judah. The representatives of the Jews feared that the people would be influenced by what he said. They urged him to speak in Assyrian, but he refused and continued his speech in the Hebrew language. “What can you do against us?” he concluded. “ You say that you trust in Jehovah your God. But what can he do? Who are you and who is he that he should be able to deliver Jerusalem out of our hand?” Then he ceased to speak. The people listened in silence, for the king had commanded this. But the three messengers of Hezekiah rent their garments in grief, and returned to the king with the message of defiance for the king and the true God. What would happen? What would Hezekiah do? What would God do? Had the people of Judah been God’s trustful, obedient followers. so that he would defend them and his own honor, or would he allow them to be punished as the people of Samaria had been punished? HANDWORK Model on the sand table the city of Jerusalem. Set up the Temple, houses, the king’s palace. Then surround the city with a wall, and using toothpicks as people, represent the scene of the interview between the three messengers of Sen- nacherib and the three delegates from Hezekiah. NotTEBOOK WorK Continue your notebook list of the kings of Judah, adding those whose names have been given this week, as follows: Joash wile eyes cacti omni tenneae tne at 842 B. c-804 B. c. ’ (Associated with him his son, Amaziah. Dies, 802 B. c.) Amaziahieetintjetaerccte aa eee neers 804 B. c.—786 B. C. Ueziah ice oi ee, ore eee rere 786 B. C.—735 Bae (Associated with him his son, Jotham, in 751 B. c. f Ota eich ahs MOE he, neces ere, mee 735 B. C.-734 B.C. Aa zh bore lersluehe ta ett (ale anrea tea 734 B. c.-728 B. C. Elezekiah wea eee Ay ot Waray eT MeN 728 B. C.-698 B. C, PN tORPCHURG HeoCLOOL CH SSONS 275 MerEmory WorkK Psalm 46, which you have been learning as your Memory Verses, commemorates some great deliverance of the Jews from danger, and many people think that it was the deliver- ance from Sennacherib. Luther, the great reformer, trans- lated this psalm, and we sing his hymn, based on it, in our churches to-day. Learn the words of Luther’s hymn, if you do not already know them: “A mighty Fortress is our God, A Bulwark never failing; Our Helper he amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing: For still our ancient foe Doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, And armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal.” Wuo SENNACHERIB’S OFFICERS WERE Tue Tartan. The commander in chief of the Assyrian army. THe Ras-Saris. A high official in Oriental courts. THE RABSHAKEH. A military official. A PROJECT Hunt up in the public library or in your school history all that you can find about explorations in Assyria and Baby- lonia. Look at the picture of the Assyrian king besieging the city, on page 272, and then begin a story of the expedi- tion of Sennacherib, as the Rabshakeh might have told it on his return home. SUNDAY SESSION HEZEKIAH HEEDS THE PROPHET’S MESSAGE Tl Kings 19: 1; 26; 7, 32-36 Tut Memory VERSES “Come, behold the works of Jehovah, What desolations he hath made in the earth. 276 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder ; He burneth the chariots in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Jehovah of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.”—Psalm 46: 8-11. Tus LESSON STORY The terrified ambassadors whom Hezekiah had sent to interview the messengers of Sennacherib, carried back their ill tidings to the king. But Hezekiah was an honest follower of the true God. He knew where to turn in time of trouble. He put on the garments of repentance. Then he went into the Temple, which had been so recently put in order for the worship of God, and prayed to our heavenly Father, asking his help. The answer to his prayer came in a message from God’s prophet, Isaiah. “ Be not afraid,” Isaiah sent word to the king. “ Jehovah hath sent to thee a message that the king of Assyria shall return to his own land. Fear nothing from him. God will take care of us.” So the ambassadors of Sennacherib carried back to him a message of defiance. Again the Rabshakeh came back with a letter, and this letter, too, contained defiance for God: “ Let not thy God in whom thou trustest deceive thee, saying, Jerusalem shall not be given into the hand of the king of Assyria. Behold, thou hast heard what the kings of Assyria have done to all lands, by destroying them utterly: and shalt thou be delivered? Have the gods of the nations deliv- ered them?” Again Hezekiah went to God for help. He took the letter of the king of Assyria to the Temple. He prayed to God for help, in wonderful, trustful words, praising God, and asking him to save his people out of the hand of the enemy, so that all the nations of the world might know the power of the true God. Again God answered Hezekiah’s prayer through Isaiah, the prophet. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS ah “Thus saith Jehovah concerning the king of Assyria, He shall not come unto this city, nor shoot an arrow there, neither shall he come before it with shield, nor cast up a mound against it. By the way that he came, by the same shall he return, and he shall not come unto this city, saith Jehovah. For I will defend this city to save it, for mine own sake, and for my servant David’s sake.” God’s promise was fulfilled. ‘That very same night the angel of the Lord smote the camp of the Assyrians. A hun- dred and eighty-five thousand men died of some strange illness. Not an arrow was shot against God’s people. Not a bit of harm was done them. Sennacherib, after this loss, returned to Assyria, where he was killed by his own sons. Once more God had saved his obedient people from de- struction, by a miracle. Purtine THE Lesson INTo THE Lire oF THE CLASS God answers the prayers of his people who trust in him. “ Patriotism consists not in waving a flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong.” Luther’s friend, Melanchthon, said, “ Trouble and _ per- plexity drive me to prayer, and prayer drives away trouble and perplexity.” Have you ever tried prayer when you are in trouble? Those who boast loudest are not always the strongest. God speaks to us to-day through our teachers and our preachers; through our parents; through our consciences; through his Word, the Bible. Do you always listen to him, as he speaks? Try to keep your ears and your hearts open and ready to hear his messages. THE LESSON TRUTH IN YouR LIFE More good is wrought in the world by prayer than we know. So we will pray every day, not only for ourselves, but for others. 278 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Be sure to pray to our heavenly Father every day, asking him for help in time of trouble. But remember that prayer is not only asking for something. Read the beginning of Hezekiah’s prayer. Then repeat the beginning of The Lord’s Prayer. Both of these prayers, you see, begin with blessing God for his goodness. Let your prayers contain praise as well as requests. A Porm to READ The Assyrian came down like the wolf on the fold, And his cohorts were gleaming in purple and gold; And the sheen of his spears was like stars on the sea, When the blue wave rolls nightly on deep Galilee. Like the leaves of the forest, when summer is green, The host, with their banners, at sunset were seen; Like the leaves of the forest when autumn hath blown, That host, on the morrow, lay withered and strown. For the Angel of Death spread his wings on the blast; And breathed in the face of the foe as he passed; And the eyes of the sleepers waxed deadly and chill, And their hearts but once heaved and forever grew still. And the widows of Asshur are loud in their wail, And the idols are broke in the temple of Baal; And the might of the Gentile, unsmote by the sword, Hath melted, like snow, in the glance of the Lord. —Byron. EXPRESSIONAL SESSION TAKING OUR TROUBLES TO GOD II Samuel 22:4, 7 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS King Hezekiah went to God in a time of trouble, just as his great ancestor, King David, had done before him. Both of these kings called upon God in their distress, and he heard their prayers and answered them. And God will do the same thing for his people to-day. He will hear us if we call upon him; he will answer even before we call, for he knows JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 279 our hearts, and that we need help. We will be happier all our lives, if we learn, when we are Juniors, to take our troubies to God. He will help us as he has helped many others in the past. He will be our Refuge and our Strength, a very present Help in time of trouble. THE CLass PRAYER O Lord, we thank thee for the way in which thou hast helped those who have needed help in the past, and we pray thee to help us, too, when we are in trouble. Help us to be thy trusting followers, and to carry our troubles to thee, knowing that thou canst help us. Amen. VERSES FoR Usk IN THE MEETING eealtaee 4 a) fee ol = Isaiah 65> 242, Matthew 0 7045 I Peter 5: 7. Hymns tHat May Bt UsEp IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING “Our God, Our Help in Ages Past.” “ Prayer Is the Soul’s Sincere Desire.” “ God of Our Fathers, Known of Old.” “ Lord, While for All Mankind We Pray.” “As Helpless as a Child Who Clings.” “The King of Love My Shepherd Is.” QUESTIONS FoR UsE IN THE MEETING 1. Name some kings of Israel and Judah who went to God in times of trouble. I Samuel 30:6, 8; II Chronicles 14 ine 2erligkineset 914. 2. Name some men in the New Testament whose prayers were answered. Acts 9:40; 12:12; 27: 22-25. 3. Compare Washington at Valley Forge, and Asa before the battle with the Ethiopians. 4. How can Juniors take their troubles to God? 5. Do you ever take your troubles to God? Topics FOR DISCUSSION OR REPORTS 1. Answers to Prayer in the Old Testament. 2. Answers to Prayer in the New Testament. 280 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 3. Modern Examples of Answered Prayer. 4. ‘Trusting God for Help in Our Country’s Times of Trouble. 9. Taking Our Troubles to God. To READ IN THE MEETING “I can do all things in him that strengthened me.” “ Asa and his staff must have felt, as they looked over the roods of glittering spears, as our own Washington felt at Valley Forge, in the most dismal winter of the Revolution. He seems to himself to have come to the place of extreme catastrophe. As did the ‘ Father of his country,’ the Jewish king betakes himself to prayer.” “ Daily prayers help to lessen daily cares.” In the winter of 1862-1863, the town of Abeokuta, in Africa, was besieged by another African tribe. The people of Abeokuta were Christians, and many a prayer for safety was said. One night a woman’s cry was heard: “’Thou didst deliver Hezekiah and his people from the hands of Sen- nacherib; do also remember us, O Lord.” And, it is said. an extraordinary thing happened. “The enemy lay massed about the walls. For fifteen months no attack was made; what panic fell upon them in the darkness of the sixteenth month was never known, but when morning broke, the camps were silent and deserted.” When General Gordon was in the Sudan, it was his cus- tom to pray for the safety of his forces. When he went into his tent, and placed a white handkerchief outside the door, all men knew that he was at prayer, and that he must not be disturbed. “ There is a fine piece of statuary showing George Wash- ington at Valley Forge, kneeling in prayer in the woods in winter. That kneeling figure explains a great deal of the strength of Washington’s life. Tt is no accident that the two greatest Americans whom we all look up to and most ad- JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 281 mire, Washington and Lincoln, were men of prayer and men of faith in God. ‘Their strong belief in God was the rudder which guided the ship.” SoMETHING To Do THis WEEK “ Pray without ceasing.” Keep your eyes open all week, and try to find on any of our national or state or city monuments, expressions of trust in God. Keep a record of this. (For instance, examine a Lincoln penny or a quarter.) CHARA Rixexex WEEK DAY SESSION THE MESSAGES OF THE PROPHETS OF JUDAER Isaiah 5: 1-6: .6:1-8;.9:6, 7-11: 1-9: 5331-7 TH MEMory VERSES “ Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; For he hath visited and wrought redemption for his people, And hath raised up a horn of salvation for us In the house of his servant David (As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets that have been from of old).”—Luke 1: 68-70. THE Lksson STORY At the time when the Assyrians under Sennacherib in- vaded Judah, the great prophet to whom the king went for advice was Isaiah, the son of Amoz. Isaiah had been called to be a prophet of God in the year of the death of King Uzziah, the great-grandfather of King Hezekiah, 735 B. ¢c., so, you see, at the time of the invasion of Judah, 701 B. c., he had been preaching and prophesying for a long time. The call of Isaiah had come for the first time when he was only a young man of perhaps twenty-five years of age. He was in the Temple, praying. As he prayed he seemed to see the Lord sitting upon a lofty and high throne, with the skirts of his robe filling the Temple. Six-winged seraphim were standing by him, waiting to do God’s will, and saying to one another, “ Holy, holy, holy, is Jehovah of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” The foundations of the Temple seemed to shake, and Isaiah cried out, “ Woe is me,” for he felt that he was too sinful to see the King of hosts. One of the seraphim flew to him, and touched his lips with a burning coal from the altar, and told the young man that his sins were forgiven. ‘Then, after this preparation, he heard the 282 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL, LESSONS 283 voice of God saying: “ Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” The young prophet answered at once: ‘ Here am I; send me.” He knew that God had special work for him to do, and he did his very best to follow God’s commands. At this time Isaiah was unknown to the people, inexperi- enced in the work that he knew God wanted him to under- take. He felt that God would help him. He was a man of great imagination, and a poet, and he planned to make him- self known to the people in a way that would attract their attention. So, one day, when there was a festival in Jerusalem, when the people from the country districts, who knew all about farms and vineyards and fruit-growing, had gathered to- gether, ready to be entertained, he suddenly appeared among them and began to prophesy, in words which sounded like a song, and attracted their attention immediately. “Let me sing you a song about a vineyard,” he said. Then he pointed out the way in which the farmer tried to make his vineyard fruitful: how he dug up the ground and gathered up the stones, and planted the chcicest vines, and built a protecting watchtower. But, after all this trouble, the prophet continued, the ground produced nothing but wild grapes, sour and useless. What should the owner do? Should he not tear up the vines, and make the vineyard a waste? Isaiah paused. His listeners probably nodded their heads in approval. Then the prophet showed them the lesson of warning that he wanted to teach. Jehovah was the Owner of the vineyard, and Judah was the well-cared-for vineyard, which nevertheless produced only poor fruit. What should God do to them? If they did not obey his commands, he would destroy them. So Isaiah warned the people that they must repent. For many years Isaiah preached and taught. King Jctham, who succeeded Uzziah, died. Wicked King Ahaz came to the throne and paid no attention to the prophet’s warnings. But King Hezekiah was different from his father. He turned to the prophet for advice, and because he tried to follow the counsels of God’s prophet, his reign was, on the whole, glorious and prosperous, and the nation was saved from the Assyrian invasion. 284 JUNIOR’ CHURCH SCHOOLSLESSONS But Isaiah was not only a prophet of warning. He fore- told a time of wonderful peace and happiness for the world; he foretold the coming of the Messiah King who was to rule the world. His prophesies are among the greatest in the Bible. As you read the words of Isaiah 9:6, 7; 11:1-9; 53: 1-7, remember that they were spoken more than seven hundred years before Jesus came, and you will appreciate them all the more. There is an old story which is not in the Bible, which says that Isaiah lived until the days of King Manasseh, who fol- lowed Hezekiah. ‘This king was very wicked, and he ordered that the prophet be put to death in a terrible manner—that is, he was to be “ sawn asunder.” But, no matter how Isaiah died, his teaching and his prophecies will live on forever, and he will always be remembered as one of the greatest men of all the world. HANDWORK Copy the words of Isaiah 9:6, 7 on a piece of smooth, white paper. Make the lettering just as attractive as pos- sible. Perhaps your verse will be neat enough to have framed, and hung upon the wall. NoteBook WorK Write in your notebook a short account of Isaiah the prophet, making the connection between this lesson and the last through the way in which Isaiah helped King Hezekiah. Memory Work Learn the words of one of Isaiah’s most beautiful prophe- cies, Isaiah 11: 1-9. SUNDAY SESSION THE MESSAGES OF OTHER PROPHETS Micah’473°3°5 (2¢,67379/1 6-209 Nahum ele Joel 1:15; 2: 12-14 Tue Memory VERSE “Tam Jehovah your God, and there is none else; and my people shall never be put to shame.”’—Joel 2: 27, JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 285 Tue Lesson Story In Judah there were other prophets of God than Isaiah. Joel and Micah and Nahum all wrote prophecies of warning to the people, and promised that God would show mercy to them if they repented of their sins. Joel was one of the earliest prophets whose writings have come down to us. His words seem more like the words of Elijah than like those of Isaiah. ‘They were full of the spirit of war, and of venge- ance. But he saw that true worship and true repentance were matters of the heart, and he warned the people that God wanted them to rend their hearts and not their gar- ments. He foretold the day when all the people of the world should be blessed, when all should see clearly the truths of religion which only the prophets saw in his time. Another prophet whose words were put in writing very early, was Micah. He lived at the same time as Isaiah, al- though he was somewhat younger. He was a native of Judah, and he saw, as did Isaiah, that his loved country would have to be punished if its people did not return to the worship of the true God. Micah, like Isaiah, foresaw a time of peace, when the people of the world should beat their swords into plow- shares, and their spears into pruning knives to be used in cultivating fruit trees. He, too, foresaw the time when a Saviour should be born, who should bring redemption to the world. He even foretold that this Saviour should be born in the little town of Bethlehem. Micah 5: 2. Nahum, too, was one of the early prophets. He foretold the downfall of the Assyrian city of Nineveh. We know nothing about his own history, nor about that of Obadiah, who wrote another short prophecy at about this same time. One prophet after another warned the people of Judah that they should repent, and turn from the worship of idols to the worship of God. But still there were many of the Jews who continued to go to the high places where the gods of the heathen were worshiped. ‘They forgot that they had been chosen to be God’s people. They paid little attention to God’s messages, or to his great mercies, and day after day, matters in Judah grew worse. 286 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS PuTTING THE LESSON INTO THE LIFE OF THE CLASS We should heed the warnings of God’s messengers, and try to do right. If we are truly sorry for the wrong things which we have done, we will show it by the way we act, and not by words only. Do you know the old poem about the children who all told their mother that they loved her, and then, all but one forgot to do what she asked them to do? One child showed true love by her acts. Read the verses on this page. If we truly love God, we will show it by our acts. The prophets of Israel foresaw a time when all the world should be at peace, and Juniors can help to make peaceful the little corner of the world where they are, by keeping their tempers under control; by being generous and unselfish; by being truthful, courageous, and obedient. Try to keep your part of the world’s peace. If every Junior of to-day did this all his life, what would happen in a few years? THE LESSON TRUTH IN Your LIFE We will listen to the messages which God sends us through those who speak of him, and will try to do as he wants us to do, showing by our lives as well as by our words that we are trying to follow him. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Try this week to show by your acts and by your life, as well as by your words that you are a follower of Christ. To READ WITH THE LESSON “*T Jove you, mother,’ said little John, Then, forgetting his work, his cap went on, And he was off for the garden swing, Leaving her water and wood to bring. “*T love you, mother,’ said little Nell, ‘I love you more than tongue can tell.’ Then she teased and pouted half the day, Till mother was glad when she went to play. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 287 **T love you, mother,’ said little Nan, ‘To-day I'll help you all I can; How glad I am that school doesn’t keep!’ So she rocked the babe till he fell asleep. “Then stepping softly, she fetched the broom, And swept and tidied up the room; Busy and happy all day was she, Helpful and happy as child could be. “*T love you, mother,’ again they said, These three little children going to bed. How do vou think the mother guessed Which one of the three loved her best?” EXPRESSIONAL SESSION PRPACHINGS, OF THE PROPHETS FOR US TO-DAY. Hebrews 1:1, 2 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS Although the prophets of Bible times lived so many hun- dreds of years ago, they have messages for us who live to-day, as well as for those of their own time. The mes- sages of repentance, of following the true God instead of idols, of worshiping our heavenly Father in the right way, of living peaceably with all men, are messages for us, too. God has spoken to us, still further, however, through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour, whose life was a fulfillment of what the prophets foretold. Let us ask God to help us to learn the lessons which the Bible teaches us, in both the Old and New Testaments. Tue CLAss PRAYER Help us, O Father in heaven, to learn the lessons which thou hast taught through the prophets. Help us to try to carry out thy will. We ask in the name of Jesus, through whom thou hast also spoken to us. Amen. VERSES FoR USE IN THE MEETING Peaialele el Oo MO oa 4 Or b 0. Aen Mican O76; ea So2OmNaliiinela Anil sa}oely2) Logit Zs 288 JUNIOR (CHURCH SCHOOD LESSONS Hymns THAT May Br UseEp IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING Whiter Than Snow.” “ Round the Lord in Glory Seated.” “ T’ll Go Where You Want Me to Go, Dear Lord.” QUESTIONS For USE IN THE MEETING Name four prophets of Judah. What did they teach about the coming of Christ? What can you tell of Isaiah’s message? What did Micah preach? Did Nahum have any word for us to-day? How did Joel foretell the future? Duk ON Topics FOR DISCUSSION OR REPORTS 1. The Lesson of Repentance. Isaiah 1:18; 5526.97 Joel 2:13. 2. The Lesson of Mercy and Justice. Isaiah 11:4; Micah 6: 8. 3.’ (The Lesson‘ot: Peace) “isaiahtl 1:9 --Nahumeaeeee 4. The Lesson of the Power of God. Isaiah 55: 8-11; Joel 3: 17. 5. The Lesson of the Kindness of God. Micah 7: 18-20; Nahum 1:7. 6. The Missionary Lesson. Isaiah 6:8; 9:2. 7. The Fulfilling of Prophecy in the New Testament. To READ IN. THE MEETING “Come, every soul by sin oppressed, There’s mercy with the Lord, And he will surely give you rest, By trusting in his Word.” “Hark, the voice of Jesus crying, ‘Who will go and work to-day? Fields are white, and harvésts waiting; Who will bear the sheaves away?’ Loud and long the Master calleth, Rich reward he offers free; Who will answer, gladly saying, ‘Here am I; send me, send me.’” "tee JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 289 “Whoe’er to thee themselves approve Must take the path thyself hath showed; Justice pursue, and mercy love And humbly walk by faith with God.” “A mighty Fortress is our God, A Bulwark never failing; Our Helper he amid the flood Of mortal ills prevailing.” “Lord Jesus, I-long to be perfectly whole; I want thee forever, to live in my soul; Break down every idol, cast out every foe; Now wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” SOMETHING To Do T'HIs WEEK Try to carry out in your own lives each one of the teach- ings of the prophets, given under “ Topics for Discussion or Reports.” CHAPTER XXXI WEEK DAY SESSION JOSIAH WALKS IN DAVID'S WAYS II Chronicles, chapter 34 THE MrEMory VERSE “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.’”—Isaiah 55: 7. THE LESSON STORY After the death of Hezekiah, the good king of Judah, wicked Manasseh came to the throne and reigned for fifty- five years. Manasseh not only allowed the services of the Temple and the worship of the true God to be neglected, but he himself also worshiped heathen idols, and even permitted their shrines to be set up in the Temple itself. At last, Manasseh died, and his son, Amon, who was as wicked as his father had been, came to the throne. But his wickedness was too great to be endured by even the wicked followers of his court, and after two years they conspired. against him, and put him to death in his own palace. Then they made his little eight-year-old son, Josiah, king in his place. Perhaps it was Josiah’s mother, whose name was Jedidah (which means “ God’s darling”) who influenced Josiah to turn away from the idols, which his father and his grand- father had worshiped, back to the true God whom his great- grandfather, Hezekiah, and his ancestor, David, had loved. At any rate he soon began to “ seek after the God of David.” He was only a little older than the Juniors in our school to-day—fifteen or sixteen—when he became an earnest fol- lower of God. He found good teachers who told him the 290 Copyrighted by Harold Copping. Harold Copping. FINDING THE BOOK OF THE LAW — ‘ j as ; La i Bay ! {+ — ‘ LAs 2 ~ AF. > ‘ LJ ‘ t ‘ i ( / i Mi vin a) t ' ae au, a aay oa 1 _? eye fale oh uate ‘on ‘ . : ’ ~ ) 7 4 \ ' ft ‘ i ~ in i t ‘ ¢ ~~ ve ¢ 4 iy hs , r = }y “7 . i ‘ Ss : i ' ' ‘ ‘ “ " silty 7” A JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 291 story of what God had done for his people—Hilkiah, the high priest, and Shaphan, the secretary of state. They ad- vised him well, and as soon as he was old enough, when he was twenty, he took matters into his own hands, and tried to lead the people back to the worship of the true God. One of the first things that he did was to have destroyed the high places and the shrines where the gods of the heathen were worshiped. When he was twenty-six years old, he ordered that the Temple should be put in order again, and from all over the land money was collected for this purpose. Workmen were engaged to do this, and they did their work so honestly and faithfully that no accounting of the money spent had to be made. The walls of the building were re- built; broken places were mended; rubbish and dirt were cleared out. It was while this was being done that some money was discovered in the Temple. But there was some- thing more valuable than money hidden under a heap of stones and rubbish—a copy of “the book of the law,” hid- den, so old Jewish writings, not the Bible, tell us, to save it from being burned by King Ahaz. No one had seen the book of the law for many years. It was that part of the Bible which had been written before that time. Probably this copy was written, as were all the books of the Jews in those days, upon a strip of skin, rubbed until it was thin and smooth, and called ‘“ parchment.” Each end of the strip was rolled upon a rod, and the Hebrew words were written in up-and-down columns. The reader began to read at the lower, right-hand corner, and, as he read, rolled the parch- ment which he had finished, on the right-hand roller. (Try this, to see how it was done.) Since every letter in these old books was written by hand, books were very valuable. Hilkiah, as he looked through the contents of the old storeroom of the "Temple, found this copy of the book of the law. He was the high priest. He knew immediately what he had found. He and Shaphan looked over the book together, and then Shaphan hurried with it to the king. “We have found a book in the Temple, O king,” he said, for he knew that Josiah would want to know everything that had to do with God’s house. Then he unrolled the book, and started to read. As the king heard the words which the secretary read, he 292 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS was startled. Perhaps Shaphan read words like these from the book of Deuteronomy: “ And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of Jehovah thy God! . 7) Blessed shalt thouibe®. 2 2 he will blessstheemag the land)... Buts. 2. if} thou wiltmmot hearken sa pesuait thou serve thine enemies that Jehovah shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, ...and in want of all things.” Josiah knew that the nation had not been hearkening dili- gently to the voice of God. He tore his garments, as a sign of grief, and then he called out to his officers ’round about, “Go, inquire of God, and ask what we should do.” That was the very best thing that Josiah could have done. He was right in trying to find out God’s will for the nation. Messengers went straightway to Huldah, the prophetess, the wife of the keeper of the priests’ garments in the Temple. Her words were sad, for she foretold the downfall of Judah; but she said, also, that because Josiah was trying to do right, God would not send punishment to the kingdom during his lifetime. As long as the people tried to obey God, he would keep them safe from their enemies. HANDWORK Make again a copy of a book such as was read in the time of Josiah. On it write the words from the Bible which are given in the lesson. They are part of Deuteronomy, chapter 28. NoteBook Work Write in your notebooks, in your own words, the story of the finding of the book of the law. Add to your list of the kings of Judah the following names : : Manassetie i 3 ide riers teen ea pe more mean 698 B. c.—642 B. c. AMON eee ene ec eee ne 642 B. c.640 B. c Tostahiprretsstsc\s sree sit tp eters uate as eerenterse® 639 B. c.—608 B. c. Memory Work “Lord, thy Word abideth, And our footsteps guideth; Who its truth believeth, Light and joy receiveth. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 293 “When our foes are near us Then thy Word doth cheer us; Word of consolation, Message of salvation. “O that we, discerning Its most holy learning, Lord, may love and fear thee, Evermore be near thee.” A BrisLuE WuHIcH Was Lost AND FouND IN MopERN ‘TIMES When the missionaries of the London Missionary Society first entered Madagascar in the year 1820, they were well received by the king of that country, and before long a num- ber of natives were converted to Christianity. But the king’s successor, Queen Ranavalona I, who hated the Chris- tians, issued, in March, 1835, a decree against them, making even the possession of Christian books punishable by death. Three months later the last missionaries were obliged to leave the country, but not before they had finished printing the Bible in Malagasy, and had distributed copies among the native converts. They also buried in the earth, and stored in various other hiding places, seventy complete Bibles and several cases of New Testaments, Psalters, and other parts of the Bible. These books, which were passed stealthily from hand to hand and were read in secret at the peril of the native Christians’ lives, became the fuel which kept the sacred fire burning until the missionaries were allowed to return, a quarter of a century later. By that time the little band of Malagasy Christians had actually grown from two hundred to over two thousand. During the period of persecution one little body of Chris- tians in a village called Fihaonana, had kept a copy of the Scriptures. On hearing that the queen’s officers were com- ing to search the village they held an anxious consultation to decide upon some secret place in which their Bible might be safely hidden. “For,” they said, “if we lose our Bible, what shall we do?” A little to the northeast of their village was a hill, near the foot of which stood a cluster of large bowlders. Inside that cluster from ten to thirty converts used to hold services each Sunday. Underneath one of the largest of the bowlders 294 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS at the foot of the hill, the people had dug out a cave to serve as a smallpox hospital for the village; in a dark corner of this cave their Bible was hidden under two slabs of granite. The queen’s officers arrived at the village to search for the Bible and for other Christian books which the queen and government believed, from the reports of spies, were to be found there. A search was made in vain in the huts of the suspected, and in the rice fields; and then the officers made straight for the cluster of bowlders on the hillside. When they were actually on the point of entering the cave where the Bible lay, a villager said, “ I suppose that you know that this is the smallpox hospital?” ‘“ We did not,” they said, starting back in horror. ‘ Wretch! Why did you not tell us sooner? Why did you let us come so near?” ‘The officers beat a hasty retreat—and the Bible was safe. This very volume may be seen to-day. The book has been carefully repaired by its native owners, sewed with thread and vege- table fiber, and protected with a cover of roughly tanned skins.—MIssionary GLEANINGS. SUNDAY SESSION THE GREAT PASSOVER OF JOSIAH II Chronicles 35:1, 2, 16-19 THe Memory VERSE “Thy word have I laid up in my heart.”—Psalm 119: 11. Tue Lesson Story When Josiah had heard the words of the book of the law, and knew from it God’s commands, he sent word to all the people of Jerusalem to come together in the Temple. ‘There, standing by one of the great pillars, he read to the people the words of the book, and they all tried to keep Jehovah’s com- mandments. Then he commanded that they should prepare to keep the passover. Word was sent to all the people of Judah. ‘Those who wanted to come from Israel were in- vited. The king gave to the people more than thirty-three JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL, LESSONS 295 thousand animals for sacrifice; the other men in authority gave more than eight thousand. The service was planned according to the rules which they had found written in the book of the law. There was feasting and music and re- joicing, for all the people were glad to return again to the worship of the true God. And they showed that they wanted to serve him honestly and truly, for during the rest of Josiah’s life, “ they departed not from following Jehovah, the God of their fathers,” And as for Josiah, the Bible tells us, “like unto him there was no king before him, that turned to Jehovah with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.” Thirteen years after Josiah’s great passover, the Pharaoh of Egypt, Pharaoh-necho, invaded Palestine, on his way to the Euphrates, where he expected to try his strength against that of Assyria. Josiah felt that he was an ally of Assyria. He met the Pharaoh in battle at Megiddo, in the Plain of Jezreel, and in the fight was mortally wounded by an arrow. His attendants moved him from his war chariot into a second chariot, and took him to Jerusalem. There he died. He was mourned and lamented by Jeremiah the prophet, and by all the people over whom he had ruled for many years, wisely and well. PutTING THE LEsson INTO THE LIFE OF THE CLASS When Josiah and the people of Judah learned, from the book of the law, what God wanted them to do, they tried to do it with all their hearts and with all their souls, and with all their strength. So should we try to do God’s will. We should try to find out God’s will for us through read- ing his Word, the Bible, as Josiah found it out. We should try to lead others to the right, as Josiah tried to lead the people of Judah and of Israel. We should follow the leadership of a good man, as the people followed Josiah. But we should be strong enough, ourselves, to do right, even though our leaders fail us. 296 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS THE Lesson. [TRutTH IN YOouR LIFE God wants us to read his Word, the Bible, to listen to the advice of our elders, to listen to the little voice within, and then to do his will as we learn it in these ways. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Try to learn God’s will for you, and then to do it with all your “ might and main.” How Kine Jostan DIED Now Neco, king of Egypt, raised an army and marched to the River Euphrates, in order to fight with the Medes and the Babylonians, who had overthrown the dominion of the Assyrians, for he had a desire to reign over Asia. Now when he was come to the city Mendes, which belonged to the kingdom of Josiah, he brought an army to hinder him from passing through his own country, in his expedition against the Medes. Now Neco sent a herald to Josiah, and told him that “he did not make this expedition against him, but was making haste to the Euphrates; and desired that he would not provoke him to fight against him, because he obstructed his march to the place whither he was resolved to go.” But Josiah did not admit of this advice of Neco’s, but put him- self into a posture to hinder him from his intended march. I suppose that it was fate that pushed him on to this conduct, that it might take an occasion against him; for, as he was setting his army in array, and rode about in his chariot, from one wing of his army to another, one of the Egyptians shot an arrow at him, and put an end to his eagerness of fight- ing ; for being sorely wounded, he commanded a retreat to be sounded for his army, and returned to Jerusalem, and died of that wound, and was magnificently buried in the sepulcher of his fathers, when he had lived thirty-nine years, and of them had reigned thirty-one. But all the people mourned greatly for him, and Jamented and grieved on his account many days: and Jeremiah the prophet composed an elegy to lament him, which is extant till this time also.— JosEPHuUs, “ ANTIQUITIES OF THE JEWS.” JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 297 EXPRESSIONAL SESSION OUR BIBLE II Timothy 3: 14-17 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS The greatest and most wonderful Book in the world is the Bible, the Book which was lost under the Temple rubbish; the Book which wicked men have so many times tried to destroy. Yet they have never accomplished their wicked will; always God’s Word has been preserved in a marvelous way. And nowadays it seems as if there would be no possi- bility of completely losing or destroying God’s Word. Just think! It has been translated in whole or in part into more than seven hundred different languages and dialects. It is quoted in thousands of different books. Thousands of people know long passages by heart. Let us thank God that the world seems to be in no danger of losing his Word to-day, that it will endure forever, as the Prophet Isaiah foretold. % THE CLass PRAYER Our Father in heaven, we thank thee that thy Word, the Bible, is known and loved by so many people in the world that there is now little danger that we shail lose it, as the Jews in the days of Josiah lost it. Kut lead us to under- stand, too, that if we forget thy commands, and neglect to read thy Word, we lose it in another way. Help us to know thy Word, and to do thy will. Amen. VERSES FoR USE IN THE MEETING Psalms 119: 11, 105; Luke 24:27; John 20:31; Romans 15:4; Hebrews 1:1, 2. Hymns THat May Br UsEp IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING “ Holy Bible, Book Divine.” “Thy Word Is Like a Garden, Lord.” “Lord, Thy Word Abideth.”’ “ Who Would Not Love the Bible?” “Lamp of Our Feet.” 298 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS QUESTIONS FOR USE IN THE MEETING (You will find the answers to some of these questions by looking in the book, “ Jesus, the Light of the World,” Les- sons XX XIII to XXX VII.) 1. Who wrote the Bible? 2. Who first translated the Bible into English? 3. Who first translated the Bible into Chinese? 4. Who translated it into Burmese? into American Indian ? . 5. Into how many languages has it been translated ? Do you think that it could be lost? How many books are there in the Old Testament ? How many writers can you count? COND Topics FoR DiscussION or REPORTS The Story of the Chinese Bible. The Story of the Bible that Was Hidden in a Pillow. William Carey, and the Bible for the People of India. The Bible for the Cree Indians. The Writers of the Old Testament. The Writers of the New Testament. How We Can Lose the Bible To-Day. ARGS AM er al hehe To READ IN THE’ MEETING “The Bible is the best gift God has given to man.”— ABRAHAM LINCOLN. “No man can be considered a truly educated man who is ignorant of the Bible.’—PrESIDENT SCHURMAN, “Young man, my advice to you is that you cultivate an acquaintance with and a firm belief in the Holy Scrip- tures,”’—BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. “If you were as good as your Book, you would conquer India for Christ in five years.’.—A BRAHMAN ‘TO A MISSIONARY, JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 299 THE Srxty-S1x Books “Moreover by them is thy servant warned.”—Psalm 19: 11. Sixty-six singers, singing sweet and true, And setting all the world to singing, too. Sixty-six soldiers, vigorous and strong, Valiantly attacking cruelty and wrong. Sixty-six judges, learned in the Law, Uttering decisions free from fear or flaw, Sixty-six artists—wond’rously they paint Kings and sages, common folks, angel, devil, saint. Sixty-six explorers, keen to search and find All the hidden secrets of life and death and mind. Sixty-six masons, marvelously skilled; One majestic temple they united build. Sixty-six farmers, planting holy seed, Happily upspringing in holy thought and deed. Sixty-six teachers, keeping perfect school, Where faith the law is, and love the rule. Sixty-six doctors, knowing well to cure, Masters of the medicine healing swift and sure. Sixty-six sailors, bearing us away To a better country, to a brighter day. —Amos R. WELLS, IN THE SuNpAY ScHooL TIMES. SoMETHING TO Do THIs WEEK Learn the names of the books of the Old Testament if you do not already know them. Give a copy of the Bible to a child who does not have one. CHAPTER XXXII WEEK DAY SESSION JEHOIAKIM BURNS THE PROPHET’S MESSAGE Jeremiah 36: 11-32 Tor MEMory VERSE “The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever.’—lIsaiah 40: 8. Tur Lesson STORY When good King Josiah died as the result of a wound received in the battle of Megiddo, he was succeeded by his son Jehoahaz. But Jehoahaz was not like his father; he was a wicked king; “he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah.” He reigned only three months, and then was taken captive by Pharaoh, who was still fighting with the people of Palestine, and sent as a prisoner to Riblah. In his place, Pharaoh made king another son of Josiah—Eiakim, whose name he changed to Jehoiakim. Soon after the beginning of Jehoiakim’s reign, he found that he was in trouble. You remember that Israel had always suffered because armies passing between Assyria and Egypt, the two most powerful nations of ancient times, went so frequently through its territory. Assyria had been con- quered by the Chaldeans, whose capital was Babylon in the land of Babylonia. Now, Jehoiakim, who had been made king by Egypt, found that Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, was his enemy. Jehoiakim was forced to become Nebuchad- nezzar’s vassal. After three years, however, he rebelled, and again the Chaldeans came against Judah. The king of Egypt ‘no longer came to their aid. The situation was dangerous. During the early part of Jehoiakim’s reign the Prophet Jeremiah was commanded by God to speak words of warning to the people. He saw that Jehoiakim was forgetting the 300 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 301 true God, and was leading the people into sin. He went boldly into the outer court of the Temple, and there he de- nounced the king and the people for their faithlessness, and the way in which they had forgotten the lessons which they had seemed to know so well in the days of Josiah. He warned the nation that God’s decree of punishment would be carried out, unless they repented and obeyed God’s laws. To the people and to the king, Jeremiah’s words seemed treasonable. They “laid hold on him, saying, Thou shalt surely die.’ They wanted to put him into prison. But because the princes and the priests did not think that he should be slain, he was allowed to go free for the time. But later, Jeremiah was put into prison. ‘There, in the fourth year of the reign of King Jehoiakim, God’s word came to him again, this time commanding him to write in a book the words which God told him to write. God wanted to give to the people of Judah another chance: “It may be that the house of Judah will hear ... that they may re- turn .. . that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.” Days and weeks and months passed. Jeremiah spoke to Baruch, his secretary, the words which God told him to speak, and Baruch wrote them down on the parchment scroll, which was the book of those days. They waited for a good opportunity to read God’s words to the people. At, last the chance came. A great fast day was proclaimed, because the people were so terrified by their enemies. Jeremiah sent Baruch to read the words of God to the people, at the time of this fast. It was a chilly day in December. Baruch went up into a sort of balcony overlooking the gate of the Temple court. There he read God’s Word to the assembled people. Micaiah, one of the men in authority, heard the words of Baruch. He went to the room where the princes were sit- ting and told them what he had heard. They sent for Baruch, and had him read to them what he had read to the people. As they listened, they turned in fear toward one another. “We will surely tell the king of all these words,” they said. ‘Then they asked Baruch how he had come to write the scroll, at Jeremiah’s dictation, and Baruch told them. The princes knew that both the prophet and the scribe were in 302 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS danger. They told Baruch to hide, and then they went to make a report to the king. King Jehoiakim was sitting in his winter house. By him there was a little brazier, with a fire of charcoal in it. He was in a bad humor. When he heard about the scroll, he sent Jehudi, one of his courtiers, to get it. Jehudi read three or four columns of the scroll. Then the king in a rage seized it and with the knife which the scribes used in cutting pens, he slashed*the parchment into bits, casting one piece after another into the fire until the whole was con- sumed. The princes tried to prevent his act, but failed. He would show that he was not afraid of these threatening words which the prophet had written! He would do as he pleased! He sent messengers to punish Jeremiah and Baruch, but God hid his servants, and they could not be found. But it did not do any good for Jehoiakim to try to destroy God’s Word. He could not do it. “The word of our God shall stand forever,’ and Jehovah commanded Jeremiah and Baruch to take another roll, and to write in it all that had been written in the first roll, and more besides, for “ con- cerning Jehoiakim king of Judah thou shalt say, Thus saith Jehovah« Thou hast burned this roll, saying, Why hast thou written therein, saying, The king of Babylon shall certainly come and destroy this land, and shall cause to cease from thence man and beast? Therefore thus saith Jehovah con- cerning Jehoiakim king of Judah: He shall have none to sit upon the throne of David; and his dead body shall be cast out in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost. And I will punish him and his seed and his servants for their iniquity ; and I will bring upon them, and upon the inhabit- ants of Jerusalem, and upon the men of Judah, all the evil that I have pronounced against them, but they hearkened not. Then took Jeremiah another roll, and gave it to Baruch the scribe, the son of Neriah, who wrote therein from the mouth of Jeremiah all the words of the book which Jehoiakim king of Judah had burned in the fire; and there were added be- sides unto them many like words.” And God’s words were fulfilled, for soon the end came to Jehoiakim and to Jerusalem and to Judah. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 303 HANDWORK Oriental houses belonging to rich people were usually quite different from the houses of the poorer people, about which we have studied so often. The houses of the wealthy are usually built in a quadrangle, around a central courtyard, which sometimes contained a fountain, or a well. The inner rooms are warmer, and more protected from the weather, and for this reason are called “the winter-house.” The outer rooms, which are more exposed to cold, are called “the summer-house.” (Find a reference to these in Amos 3:15.) Jehoiakim was sitting in the warm “ winter-house,” and because it was the “ ninth month ” (December), and was chilly, he had a fire in a little brazier, or three-legged stand, beside him. Make a plan of the scene upon the sand table. Remember that the king’s palace was finer than the houses of ordinary people. NotEBook WorK Tell this story in your own words in your notebook. Add to your list of the kings of Judah, the names of those you have had this week. CHOAUAZ mer PY aU Et eye. 6S «fei 5% 608 B. Cc. en Gta itt a ee ee ire ose SS arene. 608 B. c.—598 B. Cc. MrMory WorkK Learn the words of another hymn about the Bible: “Thy Word is like a garden, Lord, With flowers bright and fair; And everyone who sees may pluck A lovely nosegay there. “Thy Word is like a deep, deep mine; And jewels rich and rare Are hidden in its mighty depths For every searcher there. “Thy Word is like a starry host; A thousand rays of light Are seen, to guide the traveler And make his pathway bright. 304 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS “Thy Word is like an armory, Where soldiers may repair, And find, for life’s long battle day, All needful weapons there. “Oh, may I love thy precious Word, May I explore the mine, May I its fragrant flowers glean, May light upon me shine; “Oh, may I find my armor there, Thy Word* my trusty sword; I'll learn to fight with every foe The battle of the Lord.” SUNDAY SESSION HOW THE BIBLE HAS BEEN PRESERVED FOR US Hebrews 1:1, 2 Toe MEMory VERSE “The sum of thy word is truth; And every one of thy righteous ordinances endureth for ever.”—Psalm 119: 160. i] THE LESSON STORY Many, many times since the days of Jehoiakim, there have been attempts to destroy the Word of God, but these at- tempts have always failed, and it has been preserved for us. For many years, however, the Bible was lost to many of the people of the world because they could not understand it. It had never been translated into their own languages, and was read to them in Latin in the churches. One of the first attempts to put the Bible into English was made by John Wyclif, who was born about 1324, and who died in 1384. But Wyclif’s translation of the Bible was made before printing presses were invented, and, as it had to be copied by hand, not very many people could possess it. The first really important translation of the Bible into English from the original Hebrew and Greek was made by William Tyndale. He worked on his translation of the JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 305 Bible for many years, and then took it to Germany, where printing presses were being used, in a very primitive form. At last, in 1526, six thousand copies of the New Testament in English were sent to England. But the king, Henry VIII, npucpe hour patrs noun tTyewpye Kore r1i0 criete ierp micte vortr fcyige Yeloy.Yeloy lammabatany/pe (GIy Che mte2ptid 1S. wy god. rt1y» God. Wly1 O2 WWHerto Ha por forfAken weft Hime of ten ondige Avorte, Herprges (rpten/ loo ve dlepry se foylt oon réupnge + Allynge atpoil Ge Wy Shea pirttige avonite to A Pee? ZAC Wis Dyrbe Coymge iE Fre 30¢. (ee We 31€ Help come (orto (yim Cott Foxope ic. A grecte Vor? {ente WD oz (enre out pe U2eey y peers tito Dit /o2 bp nepe/forop certiri V4 ge pewncbe ore cuca azentt. forto Epnge He pad oped: Cerpy Urelp prSmiAn WAS Todds fone/foyly PR WON Top wMINIen, LIWNdpnge Fro a fr2 ra monge WwInce Was mare mawielopa simatic oF yartics yelene, t modi oF jolepl t{rlomee/+ibYANC WoOwaAS m gale: per Colcrgrten Wye. t niprphtrittn to brn. mampe op wy mien Vat to gpd Aeyeten wep Wer1p Im WYCLIF’S BIBLE. FROM THE BRITISH MUSEUM would not allow the people to have these Bibles, and in that same year, Tyndale’s translation was burned in the church- yard of St. Paul’s Cathedral, in London. Of all those six thousand New Testaments, only two fairly complete copies and a few odd pages are in existence to-day, So, for a time, 306 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS the Bible was destroyed for the people of England, and Tyndale himself was martyred. But the Bible could not be completely destroyed. Miles Coverdale, who knew Tyndale, and perhaps helped him in his work, took the translations of the Bible which had been made before his day, and combined them, and added to them, and in 1535, Coverdale’s Bible was issued. This was fol- lowed by Matthew’s Bible in 1537, and by the Great Buble in 1539-1541, so called because its pages were very large. But the version of the Bible which is best known to English-speaking people in whatever land they live is the King James Version. This was first issued in 1611, by the order of King James of England. There were forty-seven ChexviChaptr, spitoen cart to {pire lie phrarifes a 2 | 6) with thefaSuces al(o /anddyd tépte him /defhr2 * (RMS Waellinge chat be woldefhewe thé fore fy gnefrd beZ MRS Ajoen. Bcanfwered and (aide onto chem: We even ye fapesme fhallbave fayremedder.andebatbe cauletbe (Fre yorced:2i the mornige:ye (aye/todayefbalbe forte wedder/z Lucey. chacbecanfeche (Fycistrobelcus andrecd, © AEE aX fq TYNDALE’S BIBLE men selected to do the work. All were great scholars, and they worked from 1604 until 1609 on the first draft of the translation. ‘Then nine months more were spent on a final revision, and in 1611 it was finally issued. In the latter part of the nineteenth century, however, it was found that there was need for another translation of God’s Word, and the English Revised Version was issued in 1885, and the American Revision in 1901. The two Bibles which are most used in our churches to-day are the “ Author- ized,” or King James Version of 1611, and American Re- vised Version of 1901, called also “‘ The American Standard Version.” So we in America have our wonderful Bible, which has been preserved for us and translated for us by men who JUNTOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 307 have loved God through all the ages. Should we not ap- preciate it and love it, and try to learn through it the way in which to live, as God wants us to live? PutTTING THE LESSON INTO THE LIFE OF THE CLASS Many men of the past have spent their lives in translating the Bible; we should appreciate what they have done for us, and treat our Bibles with respect. Many men of the past have given their lives for the sake of preserving the Bible, God’s Holy Word. We, too, should try to love it and to obey its teachings. If we learn by heart as much of the Bible as we can, we shall make it our very own. To possess the Bible truly we must know it and believe it and try to obey it. Tuer Lesson TrutH IN Your LIFE Let us try to make the Bible our own by learning to know its contents so that no one can take it from us. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Read a section of the Bible every day this week. Mend any of the Bibles in the church which need mending. Give a copy of the Bible to some one who has not a copy. A BrsLuE PAGEANT (Curtain rises on a group of children of all nations. Hach child has a Bible, except a girl dressed in ancient Hebrew costume, who has a scroll such as that on which the Hebrews wrote.) Hebrew girl steps forward, with her scroll: “Hundreds and hundreds of years ago, God sent ‘his message to men below, Moved by his Spirit, they wrote his Word, Most blessed good tidings that ever were heard, , Then Jesus, our Lord, in his last command, Said to tell of his love in every land; 308 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL: LESSONS And men have gone forth to do his will, To tell of our Father in heaven, until Each land and people may read God’s Word, Most wonderful message that ever was heard. “The Old Testament, which was first written in Hebrew, on a scroll like this, and the New Testament, which was originally written in Greek, have been translated into more than seven hundred different languages and dialects. Each year more and more péople are hearing about God in their own language, as missionaries learn these languages, and write out for the people the words of the Bible.” An American gil steps forward and speaks: “It seems strange that our ancestors, the Anglo-Saxons, were ever heathen. But it is true that they were. When they first became Christians, they heard the Word of God only in Latin. John Wyclif was one of the first to try to translate the Bible into the language that they would understand. But his language was not the English that we speak to-day, and we probably would not understand very much of it. Besides, there were no printing presses in Wyclif’s day, and all the words had to be written by hand. So the Bibles were very expensive, and only the very rich people could have them. But there were other people later who continued the work of translation, until now, we in America can all have the Bible, whether we are rich or poor, for there are many men and women in the United States who are glad to give Bibles to those who ask for them.” Chinese boy steps forward: ‘The translation of the Bible into Chinese was begun by Robert Morrison, who worked on -his Bible for many years. How hard he must have worked! First he had to learn the hard Chinese lan- guage. Then he had to find out the very best words to use for his translation. But now the Chinese have a Bible in their own language.” (Steps back with Hebrew and Ameri- can girls.) East Indian girl: “My name is Sukhdar. William Carey first translated the Bible for me. He worked for more than seven years on his translation of the New Testament.” Burmese boy: “If you look at the map perhaps you will JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 309 think that I do not live very far from Sukhdar. But my language is quite different from hers. Adoniram Judson first translated the Bible into Burmese, and he, too, worked on the translation for many years. He was sent to prison because he was an Englishman, who wore a high hat, and while he was there, my Bible had wonderful adventures, for it was hidden in a pillow, and escaped destruction by a miracle,” Mexican girl: “Our Bible is in Spanish, and even to-day we have difficulty in getting it, for there are those who try to hinder us from reading it for ourselves. But good missionaries are helping us, and we hope that some day we shall be free to read it as we choose.” Group of several other nationalities, African, Filipino, Korean, step forward. One of them speaks: “ We, too, all have the Bible in our own languages. The Bible will never be lost to the world again, as it was lost in the days of Josiah. No one who tries to destroy it as Jehoiakim did will succeed, for the Bible is scattered far and wide. Last year there were more than fifteen and a half million copies issued, in more than seven hundred different languages. Do you think that anyone could ever succeed in destroying all these? And then, the Bible is quoted in so many other books, and so many people know so much of it by heart, that we could almost put it together again from what people know of it. Does not this seem wonderful? But long ago, Isaiah the prophet foretold this, when he said, ‘ The word of our God shall stand forever.’ ” All the members of the group come forward, and give the Bible salute, as follows: Hach pupil holds the open Bible in the right hand, and at a signal from the teacher or superin- tendent raises the Bible reverently to heaven, stating, “ Thy word have I laid up in my heart, [lowering the Bible to the heart] that I might not sin against thee ” [raising it again on high]. (Close with the singing of “ Holy Bible, Book Divine,” by the children, the audience joining.) 310 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS EXPRESSIONAL SESSION LOVE, FOR GOD’S WORD Matthew 23:23 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS Jehoiakim, the wicked king of Judah, disregarded God’s laws, and tried to destroy his Word. Many men and women since his time have followed his example. The Pharisees of Jesus’ day knew the Word of God, but they neglected the more important parts of God’s commands. They disre- garded its teachings, and followed out the rules for little things which they themselves had made. And this has happened many times, even since the days of the scribes and the Pharisees. Sometimes it happens even in the case of Juniors in the Sunday school to-day. Do we do all the things that we know we ought to do, or do we sometimes disregard God’s commands? We all know that sometimes we fail; we forget; we are disobedient. But we all love the Bible. Let us ask God to help us to show our love for the Bible by trying to obey his commands, given to us through it. THE CLASS PRAYER Our Father in heaven, help us to learn thy will for us as thy Word tells it to us. Help us to try to obey thee, and to show that we love thy Holy Word. For Jesus’ sake. Amen. VERSES For UsE IN THE MEETING Psalm 119:2; 11, 105;%Jeremiah) 23:29; Lakewz42@ John =5 2°39 3713 17-7202 3lee Romans el0 217 sol Sere eee P22: Vislimothyrse lLomileprewsalentaecia4 wee Hymns THat May Bg Usep IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING = Wamp or @ur Peet: “ Holy Bible, Book Divine.” “Thy Word Is Like a Garden, Lord.” QuESTIONS FoR UsE IN THE MEETING 1. How can we Juniors show our love for God’s Word? 2. How can our nation show its love for God’s Word? JON TORSGHURCH aS CHOOLTSLESSONS 311 3. What nations to-day do not love God’s Word? 4. How can we help them to love it? 5. How can we spread the knowledge of God and his Word to all the earth? 6. Find out all that you can about colporteurs, and the work of giving the Bible to foreign lands. What would happen to the world if we had no Bible? ‘Topics FoR DIscuUSSION OR REPORTS David’s Love for the Word of God. Jesus’ Love for God’s Word. How God’s Word Has Been Preserved for Us. God’s Word Hidden in Our Hearts. God’s Word in Our Minds and Memories. The Apostles’ Love for God’s Word. The Bible Societies and Their Work. If the World Had Not Had the Bible. OS ae ae aye To READ IN THE MEETING “T would be learning day by day the lessons My heavenly Father sends me in his Word; I would be quick to hear his lightest whisper, And prompt and glad to do the things I’ve heard.” When the Bible was first printed in Kngland, its enemies tried to follow Jehoiakim’s example. ‘“ They bought up every copy they could find, and made bonfires of them. The printers used the money to provide ten presses where there had been one, and the Bibles in the land increased fifty-fold until they found that the bonfire game did not pay. You may cut God’s Word or burn it, or trample it under your feet, but still you have to reckon with God, and the Word remains and it is fulfilled whether you like it or not.” “The Bible lives only as it lives in the hearts of its grate- ful friends, and men will defend it if they love it.” SOMETHING TO Do THis WEEK Learn the names of the books of the New ‘Testament. Continue the work of repairing the church and Sunday- school Bibles. CHAPTER XXXHTI WEEK DAY SESSION THE LAST DAY Ss ORG E RW olan II Kings 25. 1-12; Lamentations 1: 1-6 Tur Memory VERSE “Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of Jehovah your God, which he made with you.”’—Deuter- onomy 4:23. Tuer LESSON STORY King Jehoiakim continued in his wicked way, unmindful of the warnings of the Prophet Jeremiah. He submitted to the power of the Babylonians. Then he rebelled, and the Babylonians, calling to their aid neighboring tribes which they had subdued, moved against Judah. ‘They took the king captive, and carried him off to Babylonia, making his young son, Jehoiachin, king in his place. But King Nebuchadnezzar continued his warfare against Judah, and after a reign of only three months and ten days, Jehoiachin and the queen mother, and his servants, and his princes and officers, surrendered to Babylon and were taken captives. The treasures from the Temple were carried away, too; all the golden vessels were taken; even the golden orna- ments were roughly hacked off. There was still one son of good King Josiah left in Jeru- salem, Mattaniah. Nebuchadnezzar made him king, chang- ing his name to Zedekiah. Zedekiah swore allegiance to Nebuchadnezzar, pledging himself most solemnly to be a true vassal of Babylonia. But he was a weak and vacillating king, and, in spite of Jeremiah’s warnings, he broke his promise, and rebelled. Once more the armies of Babylon came against Jerusalem, and on the tenth day of the tenth month of the ninth year 312 € Copyrighted by Harold Copping. Harold Copping. THE CAPTIVES OF JERUSALEM JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 313 of King Zedekiah, the siege of the city began. For a year and a half it held out against the attacks of the foe. During that time the suffering was terrible. “ Round the walls were reared the gigantic mounds by which [astern armies con- ducted their approaches to besieged cities, and which were surmounted by forts overtopping the walls. To make room for these, the houses which the kings of Judah had built out- side for pleasant retreats were swept away. ‘The vassal kings of Babylon had their thrones planted in view of each of the gates. Famine and pestilence ravaged the crowded population within the walls. The store of bread was grad- ually exhausted. ‘The nobles, who had prided themselves on their beautiful complexions, * purer than snow, whiter than milk, ruddy as rubies, polished as sapphires,’ had become ghastly, and black with starvation. ‘Their wasted skeleton forms could hardly be recognized in the streets. ‘There was something specially piteous in the sight of the little children, with their parched tongues, fainting in the streets, asking for bread, crying to their mothers for corn and wine.” So the eighteen months of the siege passed. Then, at mid- night, on the ninth day of the fourth month (July) of the eleventh year of Zedekiah (587 B. c.) a breach was made in the walls. The exhausted defenders of the city could no longer resist. The Chaldean guard slipped through the northern gate of the city and silently made their way through the streets until they reached the Temple court. Six of the Babylonian chiefs entered; they sat in state, as kings giving judgment sat, at the middle gate. Suddenly the alarm was given. The city was in the hands of the enemy. Zedekiah, with his family, attempted to escape through the king’s garden, by one of the small gates of the city. But the Babylonians learned of his flight; they seized him and took him as a prisoner to King Nebuchadnezzar at Riblah. | There before the king’s eyes his sons were slain, and then his own eyes were put out, and he was taken to Babylon, where he worked like a slave, in a mill. And so were ful- filled two prophecies, which seemed to contradict each other, for the Prophet Ezekiel had foretold that he should go to Babylon, to the land of the Chaldeans, “ yet he shall not see it, though he shall die there.” 314 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS And with Zedekiah, great bands of the best people of Judah were led away. Nebuchadnezzar did not want the city to become strong again. Jerusalem itself was burned until it was only a heap of smoking ruins, where soon weeds grew in the streets, and wild birds made their nests among the buildings. But as for the people, men and women and little children were driven like cattle along the roads leading to Babylon. And there they were scattered among the heathen, to work out their fate as best they could, and to mourn by the rivers of Babylon for the days when, now it seemed to them, they had been so happy in Jerusalem. HANDWORK Make on the sand table a model of Jerusalem, and its walls. Indicate roughly the situation of the Temple and the various gates, and plan out the siege. Map Work Put a map of Jerusalem on the blackboard, and alse in your notebook. NovreBook WorK Write an account of the siege from the point of view of Baruch, the scribe, or from the point of view of one of the courtiers of Zedekiah. Also add the following names to your list of kings: Jehoiachin is 1s eee eee tees Spefe ah 16 Ledekiah or. Mes esaie severe aie ate eae a er 597 B. C.-08/) Banc. Memory WorkK Learn the words of part of the psalm of the Captivity, Psalm 137: 1-6. By the rivers of Babylon, There we sat down, yea, we wept, When we remembered Zion. Upon the willows in the midst thereof We hanged up our harps. For there they that led us captive required of us songs, And they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Zion. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 315 How shall we sing Jehovah’s song In a foreign land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, Let my right hand forget her skill. Let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, ‘If I remember thee not; If I prefer not Jerusalem Above my chief joy. SUNDAY SESSION ‘BEEAGA DRIVES) OH SBABYLON Psalm 137; Daniel, chapter 1 THe Memory VERSE ** And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an aston- ishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.”—Jeremiah 25:11. THE LESSON STORY Jeremiah had not been taken as a captive with the Jews to Babylon, for it seemed to the leaders of the Babylonians that he had played the part of a friend to them. He had advised King Zedekiah to keep the faith with Nebuchadnezzar; he had warned the Jews that God would send them into cap- tivity for seventy years. So Jeremiah was allowed to do as he pleased. He might have gone to Babylon, and lived in comfort there, but he preferred to stay with the poor Jews left in Jerusalem. But finally, a party of Jews determined to flee to Egypt. They forced Jeremiah to go with them, and there our knowledge about his life closes. Jeremiah 43: 6, 7. In the meantime the exiles in Babylonia were becoming accustomed to their new surroundings. ‘The Babylonians treated them fairly well. Many of them were given posi- tions of honor and responsibility, and, had it not been for the feeling that they were exiles in a strange land, far from Jerusalem, they might have been fairly happy. But always they longed for Jerusalem and the true God. Never, after the time of the Exile do we hear that the Jews ever turned 316 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS to the worship of idols. Always after that time they served the God of their fathers, our God, Jehovah. | Among the first captives who had been taken to Baby- lonia, probably in the reign of Jehoiakim, there had been many of the finest young men of Jerusalem. The very best were selected to be trained to serve in the court of the king. They were to be given special instructions, special food, special care. Four of these young men are especially men- tioned: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. ‘These four were little more than boys when they were taken cap- tive, and the king of Babylon hoped by his training to make them forget all about their homeland. Even their names were changed, and Daniel was called Belteshazzar ; Hananiah was called Shadrach; Mishael, Meshach; and Azariah, Abed-nego. All these names contain a reference to the gods worshiped by the Babylonians, for this was one way in which the conquerors hoped to make them forget the true God. But these four young men were not easily led to forget the lessons which they had learned in their own land. Par- ticularly Daniel “purposed in his heart” not to forget the teachings of the homeland. When food and drink were offered to him that he knew were forbidden by the rules which he had been taught to obey in Jerusalem, he deter- mined not to eat and drink these things. He persuaded his three companions to do as he did, and he persuaded those who had charge of them to allow them to test out their desire, at first for ten days and then for a longer time. God helped these young men who had courage to do the right, for at the end of the time of training, when they went before the king, they proved better in all ways than any others of those who took the test. “In every matter of wisdom and understanding ... the king . . . found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters [the learned men] that were in all his realm.” | And these four captive boys won high positions in Baby- lonia, for they were true and loyal and obedient servants of God, no matter where they were, or in what positions they found themselves. Purtine THE Lesson INTo THE LIFE OF THE CLAss God wants us to follow his commands, wherever we are. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 317 Sometimes when we are away from home, we find that it is hard to follow the rules that our parents have made for us. But we should try to obey, as did Daniel and his companions. Daniel was not disagreeable when he persuaded those in authority to let him and his friends make their test. He was so polite and courteous that the steward in charge allowed him to do as he wanted to do. We should never forget to be polite and courteous, in situations of the same kind. If you are away from home for the summer, do you go to Sunday school, just as you would do if you were at home? If you are visiting, and your hostess offers you something to eat which you know that you are not allowed to eat at home, what do you do? Can you imitate Daniel in these things? Tue LEsson TRuTH IN Your LIFE We will try to do right, wherever we are. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Wherever you are this week, at school, or visiting, or at home, try to obey God’s rules and those of your parents. SoMETHING ABOUT BABYLON Babylon, the capital of Nebuchadnezzar and the new home of many of the exiles, was situated on the Euphrates River about fifty miles south of where the modern city of Bagdad is. The ruins of Babylon stretch over a space of about six square miles, and one part, where stood the temple, is ninety feet high. The city was in shape a great square, through which flowed the Euphrates, dividing the square into two triangles. It was built on a shelf of rock and so was health- ful, as it was above the low plain. This plain contained beds of clay, and the clay was used to make bricks for palaces, houses, and walls, besides the tablets upon which the cuneiform letters were pressed. So the Babylonian li- braries were made of books of brick, not paper. The walls of the city rose out of moats on the four sides. ‘Herodotus says they were more than three hundred feet 318 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS high, and so broad that chariots with four horses could pass each other on the top. These walls were of burned brick, cemented with bitumen. ‘There were two hundred and fifty towers and one hundred gates, whose doors were of brass and whose bars were of iron. On each side of the river which crossed the city were inner walls. Even the ordinary houses were three or four stories high, and were painted in gay colors. There were groves where tall palm trees grew ‘round about the houses. There were parks and gardens. Farms outside on the plain had great fields of grain and other crops that grew well in that warm climate. But all these seemed as nothing when one looked at the palace of the king and the wonderful temple to the heathen god, Bel. This temple had a great hall, in which were giant statues of the god, with the head of a man and the body of an animal. Along the wall were wonderful pictures. Gold, precious stones, polished wood added to the beauty of the place. Somewhere in this temple Nebuchadnezzar stored away the golden furniture taken from Jerusalem’s Temple, little dreaming that in doing this he was keeping it quite safely until God had finished teaching his people the hard lessons of the Exile. For, this journey into a heathen land was to help God’s wayward people as no loving command had done. Daniel and his companions were among the first captives taken from Jerusalem; the time was 605 B. c., the year of Nebuchadnezzar’s accession to Babylonia’s throne. Babylon must have been a wonderful city in their eyes, but since Nebuchadnezzar himself, the greatest builder of ancient times, did much of the work, they could not have seen the completed Babylon as the later captives did. Daniel and his three friends were from royal or noble families. As bright and promising lads, Nebuchadnezzar planned to train them for court service. The hardest kind of test came to their faith, when offered “the king’s dainties.” Babylonians ate the flesh of swine, hares, and other meats, which God had forbidden to his people. Before each meal a part of the food was offered to idols, while some of the wine was poured out before the heathen shrines. If these lads had yielded and shared in this food, it would have meant that they no longer were true Hebrews, loyal to God and to the laws of their country. Because their faith was so strong, God gave to ° JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 319 them, and especially to Daniel, the knowledge of the right and the power that would best help himself and his fellow exiles.—E.. J. Brown. EXPRESSIONAL SESSION Hb SSoONt OL SELE-CONLROL Jeremiah, chapter 35 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS Several hundred years before the fall of Jerusalem, there lived a man named Jonadab, the son of Rechab. His de- scendants were known as the Rechabites. Jonadab had left a command for his descendants that they should not live in cities, nor drink any wine. For more than two hundred years they had kept these rules faithfully. At the time of the siege of Jerusalem, they took refuge within the city walls. And there they showed to the people of Jerusalem that they had learned the lesson of obedience and of self- control, for when Jeremiah, the prophet, summoned them to the Temple, and offered them wine to drink, they refused. “We will drink no wine,” they said. They had learned to control themselves as had Daniel and his companions in the court of Nebuchadnezzar. We Juniors of to-day can follow the example of Daniel and of the Rechabites. We can learn to be strong for the right, also, and to exercise self-control. Let us ask God to help us to learn this lesson which is valuable in so many ways. Tue CLAss PRAYER Our Father in heaven, help us in our struggle for self- control. Help us not to yield to temptation; help us to control our appetites for food and drink; help us to control our tempers and our tongues. We ask in Jesus’ name. Amen. VERSES FOR USE IN THE MEETING @@ormthians. 25) Galatians 5:22) 23% Philippians 425 ; Hebrews 12:1, 2; James 3: 3-5; II Peter 1: 5-9. 320 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS Hymns THAT May Br Usep IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING “Dare to Be a Daniel.” “O Master, Let Me Walk with Thee.” “Yield Not to Temptation.” “Fight the Good Fight.” QUESTIONS FoR USE IN THE MEETING 1. Who were the Rechabites? 2. How did they show self-control? 3. How did Daniel and his three companions show self-control ? 4. How can a Junior of to-day show this same kind of self-control ? 5. How can a Junior show self-control in temper? 6. How can a Junior show self-control in regard to his tongue? 7. What did Paul mean in II Corinthians 9: 25? Topics FoR Discussion or REPORT'S The Rechabites. Controlling the Tongue. Temperance in All Things. Responsibility for Our Neighbors. . The Greek Games, and Why Self-Control Was Needed There. 6. The Greek Games and the Christian’s Race. 7. The Self-Control of Modern Athletes. Saba See To READ IN THE MEETING “God wants us so to learn control of self, that our bodies will always be strong and fit for his service.” “ He that ruleth his.spirit ” is better than he “that taketh a city.” “No man is such a conqueror as he that has defeated himself.” | JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS Syah| “ Self-conquest is the greatest of all victories.” “ Self-control, I say, is the root of all virtues. It is the very center of character.” “ Peter the Great made a law that if any nobleman beat or ill-treated his slaves, he should be looked upon as insane and a guardian should be appointed to take care of his person and estate. This great monarch once struck his gardener, who, being a man of keen sensibilities, took to his bed and died in a few days. Peter, hearing of this, exclaimed with tears in his eyes: ‘ Alas! I have civilized my own subjects, I have conquered other nations, yet I have not been able to conquer or civilize myself.’ Alexander could conquer Persia, but he could not conquer his passions. Czesar triumphed in a hundred battles, but he fell a victim to his desire of being king. Bonaparte, the conqueror, was no better.” SOMETHING TO Do Tuts WEEK Control your temper. If you have a temptation to be greedy, conquer it. CHAPTER XXXIV WEEK DAY SESSION JRED, LEO IRINDS, (COME Taya ION Daniel 2: 1-30 Tur MEMory VERSE “Ts not this great Babylon, which I have built for the royal dwelling-place, by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty? ”’—Daniel 4: 30. Tue Lesson Story Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king who had conquered Jerusalem, was not only a great warrior. He was also a great builder. He determined to make his capital the great- est city of the world, and even to-day, more than twenty-five hundred years later, we are learning through explorations, much of the way in which he accomplished his purpose. Then, too, we have preserved for us the written account of the Greek historian, Herodotus, who lived more than a cen- tury later, and, although Herodotus is not always to be believed, much of what he says is true. Babylon was situated on the Euphrates River, “ the river,” the Hebrews called it, in a great, fertile plain. It was built in a great square, said to have been sixty miles around. Its streets were straight, and at right angles with one another, as is the case in many of our American cities. It was sur- rounded by an immense wall, said to have been three hun- dred feet high—just about as high as the Statue of Liberty, including the pedestal—and so wide that a chariot with four horses could turn upon it. ‘There, too, were wonderful hanging gardens, rising one above another, to a height ‘of seventy feet, terraces on which were planted forest trees and flowering shrubs. ‘The houses were several stories in height, built of white or pale brown brick, and then painted 322 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 323 with pictures showing all the colors of the rainbow; there were great palms in the gardens, and luxuriant groves of trees, bordering the canals which brought water through the city. The greatest building of all Babylon, however, was the temple of Bel, the great god of the Babylonians. In the midst of the level plain it rose like the great pyramid, square upon square; and it was believed to have reached the height of six hundred feet. Its base was a square of two hundred PLAN oF ANCIENT BABYLON feet. Each square was painted in a different color—black, orange, crimson, gold, deep yellow, brilliant blue, with a silver shrine on the top. It was to this wonderful city that the people of Judah were led captive. Some of them were set at the tasks of servants; others were given positions of authority. One night King Nebuchadnezzar, the ruler of all this mighty city, had a dream. When he awoke he could not remember what it was, but he was troubled. Like so many tyrants who have ruled throughout the world, he wanted his 324 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS own way. He sent for the wise men of his land and de- manded that they should tell him the meaning of his dream. “© king, live forever. Tell us the dream, and we will tell you the meaning,” they answered, for there were many men connected with the court who did just this sort of thing. Nowadays, we feel that it is foolish to think that our dreams mean anything in particular, but in those days God often sent his messages to men through their dreams. “T do not know the dream,” said the king. “I cannot tell you what it was.” * Then he promised them great rewards if they would tell him the meaning of the dream. “ There is not a man upon the earth,” the wise men in- sisted, “that can show the king’s dream.” Then the king became so angry that he made a decree that all the wise men of his kingdom were to be slain. Of course Daniel and his three companions, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, were among the wise men. ‘They, | too, were to be killed. Daniel went to the captain of the king’s guard, and then to the king and asked that a respite be given to them. Again he must have spoken persuasively, for his request was granted. Then he went to his three companions. He told them about the dream, and they all prayed to God that he would tell them what the king’s dream had been, and what its meaning was. God granted the prayer of Daniel and his friends. He re- vealed to Daniel the king’s dream and its meaning. ‘Then JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 320 Daniel blessed God and thanked him, and hastened to the king’s captain to tell him that he could tell the king what his dream had been, and what its meaning was. Quickly the captain went to the king, and told him about Daniel, and the king sent for him. “Are you able to tell me about my dream?” asked the king. “That I am,” said Daniel. “ But it is not I who tell you. ‘There is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and he hath made known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be... . But as for me, this secret is not revealed to me for any wis- dom that I have more than any living.’ ” So Daniel gave to God the credit. He did not claim great wisdom for himself. He attributed it to God. Always Daniel was modest and courteous, and as we learn more about him we shall see what he won for himself through these qualities. HANDWORK Make on the sand table a representation of Babylon, such as that given in the picture on page 323. Be sure to show the river and the walls. Look at some of the books which your teacher has, and try to represent some of the glories of Babylon, such as the temple of Bel, or the hanging gardens. Keep this model. You will be able to use it with several lessons. Mar Work Put on the blackboard the map of Babylon. NotrsBook WorK Write a description of Babylon, and illustrate it with a picture of some of its buildings. MrmMory Work Learn the words of Daniel’s thanksgiving to God, Daniel DeeU-22: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever; for wis- 326 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS dom and might are his. And he changeth the times and the seasons ; he removeth kings, and setteth up kings; he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that have understanding; he revealeth the deep and secret things; he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him,” SUNDAY SESSION WHAT THE KING’S DREAM MEANT Daniel 2: 31-49 Tort MEMoryY VERSE “But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”—James 1: 5. LEH eS ESSON sO LORY Daniel stood confidently before the king. He told him that his dream had been of a great image, with head of gold, arms of silver, body of brass, legs of iron, and feet partly of clay and partly of iron. The image was broken by a stone, which became a great mountain and filled the whole earth. He knew that God had told him truly what the king’s dream had been; but he knew, too, that it would not be pleasant for the king to hear about a dream which foretold his downfall. And then he spoke out courteously and bravely. “Thou, O king, art king of kings, unto whom the God of heaven hath given the kingdom, the power, and the strength, and the glory,” he said. And this was true. Nebuchad- nezzar, the great conqueror, was a “king of kings,” to whom God had given glory. “Thou art the head of gold,” continued Daniel. ‘ And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee; and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth. And the fourth kingdom shall be strong as iron, forasmuch as iron breaketh in pieces and subdueth all things; . . . and whereas thou sawest the feet and toes, JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 327, part of potter’s clay, and part of iron, it shall be a divided kingdom.” ‘Then he told the meaning of the stone which had destroyed the image, and had grown into a mountain that had filled the whole earth. That, he said, was a King- dom which the God of heaven would set up that should never be destroyed. Such was the meaning of the king’s dream. Nebuchadnezzar was amazed and pleased. He saw that Daniel spoke truly, that God had told to him the dream and its meaning. He acknowledged that Daniel’s God was the true God; he made Daniel the ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief governor over all the wise men. And Daniel did not forget his friends. He asked the king that they, too, should receive appointments, and the king granted this request. So the lives of the wise men of Babylon were spared, and once more Daniel and his friends won favor and position because they were true and loyal to God, and trusted in him. Once more God had rewarded the faithfulness of his servants. PutTiInc THE LEsson INTO THE LIFE OF THE CLASS Daniel met the test of the king’s forgotten dream in a way in which we can meet the tests that come to us. [ee tie amet. it: by sprayer: @eeliermeteit by trust in’ God. 3. He met it by asking his friends to help him with their prayers. 4. He praised and thanked God for his help. 5. He was courteous and polite. 6. He was loyal toa God and to the right. Daniel acted in such a way that even the heathen king acknowledged the true God. Are you such a true follower of God that those who have dealings with you see it, and are influenced by you for the right? By his trust in God, Daniel was able to save the lives of many of the wise men of Babylon. So we, too, may do good to others by our trust in God. 328 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS Tum LESSON “URUTHIIN SVLOURWWIFE Let us try to meet the tests which come to us as Daniel met his tests; trusting in God and in our friends; courte- ously ; doing our best. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Try this week to be particularly pleasant and courteous to everyone. : How DANIEL’s INTERPRETATION OF NEBUCHADNEZZAR’S DREAM CAME TRUE Daniel, having given the story of the dream, immediately proceeded to interpret it. The parts of the image repre- sented different nations. Just as the silver followed the gold, and the brass, the silver, so nation would follow nation. Daniel told the king that he and his kingdom were the head of gold. After Babylon would come another kingdom repre- sented by the silver. It would not be so glorious as the first. Daniel did not name the kingdom, but scholars think he may have meant the kingdom of the Medes. After the silver came the brass, and the brass probably represented the Per- sian Empire, which was ruled over by Cyrus. ‘The brass in turn was followed by the legs of iron and feet and toes of iron mingled with clay, which doubtless referred to the Grecian Kingdom established by Alexander. The clay mingled with iron suggested that there were elements of weakness in this nation and history confirmed that sugges- tion. After the death of Alexander, his kingdom was divided. This then was the meaning of the strange and ter- rible image. In the dream the king saw a stone cut out without hands, and the stone destroyed the image so that it dissolved away in dust, which was blown to the four winds, but the stone itself grew into a great mountain which filled the whole earth. Daniel stated that this strange happening had reference to the Kingdom of God. The stone referred to the Messiah, who would come into the world, without noise and without swords, but he would destroy the power of the world and establish a new Kingdom, the Kingdom of God which would endure forever. It was the message of JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS SPs) the prophets which we have met with before. It was a prophecy of the coming of the Messianic Kingdom which Jesus came to establish. It would not be built upon the foun- dations of the world, but would be built by the unseen hand of the eternal God.—THE WEsTMINSTER TEACHER. EXPRESSIONAL SESSION ROYAL YlO7GOD Daniel, chapter 3 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, made a great image. He commanded that at a certain hour of a certain day, every- one in all his kingdom should bow to the image and worship it. The person who failed to do this should be cast into the burning, fiery furnace. Daniel was not present—perhaps he had gone away from the kingdom on an errand for the king. But his three friends were there. Would they bow before the image? Would they remember God’s Second Commandment? Or would the king’s threat terrify them so greatly that they would be disloyal to God? We all know that they obeyed God’s command; they did not bow before the image, and the king had them thrown into the fiery furnace, which had been heated until it was seven times hotter than it usually was. But God saved their lives there, also, for as the king watched he saw a fourth figure with them—one “like a son of the gods.” And again Nebuchadnezzar, when he saw this miracle, asknowledged that the God of the Hebrews was great and powerful, and decreed that the Hebrews should be allowed to worship their own God. So once more loyalty to God had taught a lesson to the heathen, and the trust of God’s followers had proved well founded. THE CLASS PRAYER O God, we ask thy help in proving ourselves loyal when a test comes to us as it came to the Hebrews in Babylon. 330 JUNIOR’ CHURCH -SGHOOL, LESSONS Help us to be true to thee always, and to Jesus Christ, our iFOrU een: VERSES FoR USE IN THE MEETING Exodus 20:4; Job 13:15; Psalms 56:4; 91; Proverbs 29:25; Isaiah 43:2; Matthew 25: 21-23; Acts 5:29; Reve- lation 2: 10, Hymns THAT May Br Usep IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING Trusteand:@) bevag “ ’T’rue-Hearted, Whole-Hearted.” “O Jesus, I Have Promised.” sotand’ Up. stand WU petors) estisis “ Onward, Christian Soldiers.” QUESTIONS FOR USE IN THE MEETING 1. How did Daniel’s three friends show their loyalty to God? 2. How did Peter show his loyalty? 3. How can you show your loyalty to God? 4. Can you be loyal to God and disloyal to others? 5. Were Daniel’s three friends disloyal to the king? 6. What should you do if the commands of God and the commands of men contradict each other? Topics For Discussion or REPoRTS The Statue in the Plain of Dura. Worshiping Images To-Day. Loyalty to God and to Our Country. Trusting God in Time of Danger. Trusting God Although We Do Not Understand. Obeying God Rather Than Men. ee tae ae To READ IN THE MEETING Loyalty to God comes first. “He liveth long who liveth well; All else is life but flung away; He liveth longest who can tell Of true things truly done each day.” JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 331 “No trials faced in obedience to God will be borne alone.” “God takes care of his faithful and obedient children. It is heroic service for God’s children to be faithful and loyal under fire.” “ Admiral Li Huo is a Chinese Christian admiral of our own day. Asa Christian he declined to attend heathen sacri- fices, and was excused by President Yuan Shih Kai. But when with others he was called upon to take an oath of allegiance to the new President of China, he refused to swear by heathen gods in a heathen temple, although he feared that he was thereby endangering his position and even his life. His refusal was brought to the notice of President Yuan, who investigated the matter and then dismissed the admiral from his service. But several prominent Christians inter- ceded for Li Huo and President Yuan agreed to reinstate him in office if he would take the oath of allegiance in some other place and way. So from the steps of the Temple of Heaven, Admiral Li took the oath of allegiance, and sealed it with an earnest prayer to the true God whom he serves.” SOMETHING To Do THis WEEK Do something this week to show your loyalty to God. OTACE, TH Rapes WEEK DAY SESSION DH ESTE GEO BABE Weig@y Jeremiah 51 : 34-37, 43, 58; Daniel 5: 1-23 THe MrEMory VERSE “God will bring every work into judgment, with every hidden thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”— Ecclesiastes 12: 14. THE LESSONT OLORY: ““T have made completely strong the defenses of Babylon; may it last forever!” So King Nebuchadnezzar wrote in one of his inscriptions that has been preserved for us. But his wish was unfulfilled. Not many years passed after his death before a new and mighty nation came into power. To the northeast of Babylonia the empire of the Medes and the Persians was growing strong. These men were of a different race from the Chaldeans, or Babylonians. for they were of Aryan descent, as are many of the peoples of Europe whom we know. They were wonderful horsemen, accustomed to shoot with bows and arrows, a nation of arch- ers. About the year 550 B. c., twenty-seven years after the fall of Jerusalem, the Persians, with a great body of cavalry, set out to conquer the world. Media fell into their hands, and joined with them. They extended their power to Greece in Europe. They sent part of their army, under a general named Gobryas, to attack Babylon. During the years that had passed since the time of our last lesson, several kings had ruled over the Babylonian Empire. Now the ruler of Babylon was Nabonidus, who shared his throne with his son, Belshazzar, called in the Bible “the son,’ which means here “ the successor,” of Nebuchadnez- zar. At this time Nabonidus was leading his army against 332 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS Jo the enemy in another part of the land, and Belshazzar was in charge in Babylon. Belshazzar was a careless, thoughtless ruler. He seems to have thought that Babylon was safe because of its great walls, its mighty wealth. And so, instead of preparing to protect Babylon, he gave a great feast to which he sum- moned a thousand of his lords, who should have been de- fending the city! Men and women gathered together in the palace. They: were served with food and drink. Belshazzar, in his drunk- enness, ordered to be brought to the feast the vessels of silver and gold from the Temple in Jerusalem—cups and dishes which had been used in the worship of the true God, but which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away, and put in the temple of his god, Bel. Belshazzar gave to his nobles these vessels to drink from. ‘There they sat drinking wine, and praising “the gods of gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone,” while outside the city walls the army of the enemy was drawing nearer and nearer. But the true God warned Belshazzar and his nobles in a strange way, of what was to happen. As they sat there drinking, the fingers of a great hand suddenly appeared and wrote strange words over against the candlestick which lighted the room, upon the plaster of the wall. The king saw the writing. His nobles saw it, too, but they could not understand its meaning. ‘They sent for the wise men of Babylon. | “To him that can read these words and tell me their mean- ing I will give a robe of purple and a golden chain!” cried the terrified king. ‘‘ He shall be third ruler of the kingdom.” The wise men hurried to the palace. But none of those who had been summoned could read the handwriting. The queen mother in her apartment heard something about what was going on. She remembered Daniel, and how he had told King Nebuchadnezzar the meaning of his dream, and she hastily went to Belshazzar with the message that Daniel should be sent for. So once more Daniel was brought before the king of Babylon. Belshazzar does not seem to have known who Daniel was, for he questioned him closely, and Daniel ex- plained. Once more the courteous Jewish captive, now an 334 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS old man, had an opportunity to show how great was the power of the true God, who had given to him his wisdom and his power. HANDWORK Continue the work on your model of Babylon. NotTeEBooK WorK Write an imaginary story of what Daniel had been doing between the last lesson and this lesson. How old do you think that he was at this time? Daniel had been taken to Babylon at the time of Jehoiakim’s captivity, in 605 B. c. He was about twelve or fifteen years old at that time. This lesson took place in 539 B. c. How old was he then? Memory WorkK Learn these words from a poem about Belshazzar, by Sir Edwin Arnold: There cometh forth a hand upon the stone, Graving the symbols of a speech unknown; Fingers like mortal fingers—leaving there The blank wall flashing characters of fear— And still it glideth silently and slow, And still beneath, the spectral letters glow— Now the scroll endeth, now the seal is set— The hand is gone—the record tarries yet. SUNDAY SESSION THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL Daniel 5: 24-30 THe Memory VERSE “ Pride goeth before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall.’—Proverbs 16: 18. Tue L&sson STORY The old man Daniel stood before the king and the nobles. The fingers of the hand wrote on the wall before him, as they JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS a0 had written before: “ MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHAR- SIN.” To Daniel, these words, written in Hebrew letters, were clear. They were the names of weights: “ A mina, a mina, a shekel, a half mina.” Daniel, with the wisdom given him by God, knew the meaning. “ MENE; God hath num- bered thy kingdom, and brought it to an end,” he said first to the king. And again the same word was repeated, to make it more impressive. ‘“ TEKEL; thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. PERES [which is the same word as UPHARSIN, in the singular number]; thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.” As the old man spoke these words, terror filled the hearts of the king and his nobles. They must have known that Daniel’s words were inspired by God. And, although they were filled with fear, Belshazzar kept his promise. He ordered that Daniel be given a chain of gold and a robe of purple, and made a proclamation that he should be the third ruler of the kingdom. | But the promise of the proclamation could not be carried out, for that very night Daniel’s words were fulfilled. The Medes and the Persians entered the city. Belshazzar was slain, and Darius the Mede became the king of Babylon. Once more Daniel had proved a true interpreter of God’s messages. Purtinc THE LEssSon INTO THE LIFE OF THE CLASS God will punish the individual or the nation which does not obey his laws. A nation which does not obey God’s laws will be destroyed. But a nation is as good or as bad as the people who are in it are good or bad. Let us do our part to make the nation righteous. The old man Daniel, like the boy Daniel, was courteous and polite. He knew that God would tell him the meaning of the message. He did not hesitate to tell the king the truth, although it would not please him. He trusted in God. We, too, should trust God, and do what he commands us to do. 336 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS “You are weighed in the balance and found wanting.” Do you see what that means? Draw an old-fashioned bal- ance, or scale, in your notebook. On one side is the boy or the girl that God wants you to be. On the other side is the boy or the girl that you are. Are the arms of the balance even? Or are you “ found wanting,” a “light weight,” not measuring up to what God wants you to be? ; THE Lesson TrutH In Your LiFe We will try to make ourselves the boys or the girls that God would have us be, so that we may not be found wanting when the test comes. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Write in your notebook a list of certain things that you think that you would lke to attain to this week, such as: perfect attendance at school; good marks in lessons; at least one kind act each day; unfailing politeness ; obedience ; being on time; clean face and hands and neatly brushed hair, so that mother will not have to remind you of these things. Then, at the end of the week, honestly measure yourself, and see in how many of these things you could mark your- self perfect. To READ WITH THE LESSON “», ae D : my, d ; 7 an Minera? Ve q Le J ra 4 “ , v4 ay Copyrighted by Harold Copping. Harold Copping. EHEMIAHW’S MIDNIGHT RIDE CHAPTER XL WEEK DAY SESSION NEHEMIAH VISITS JERUSALEM Nehemiah 1:1 to 2: 16 Toe Memory VERSE “Know ye that Jehovah, he is God: It is he that hath made us, and we are his; We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.” eb saiin eLU0 23. TuE Lesson STORY Thirteen years had passed since the return of Ezra and his party to Jerusalem—years filled with work and struggles to lead the people to realize that they were God’s people, and that they should obey him. There were many discourage- ments in Jerusalem. Enemies still harassed the people; crops were often poor; and even at this time the walls of the city were still in ruins, and God’s Temple was exposed to the attacks of enemies. The Jews in Persia were still interested in affairs in the homeland. They kept in touch with things that went on there, although there was little chance of communication. One of the Jews who was intensely patriotic, although he held a position in the court of King Artaxerxes, was Nehe- miah, the king’s cupbearer. This young man, the son of Hacaliah, served the king by tasting all his food and drink, before the king himself tasted it, to show that it was not poisoned. King Artaxerxes had his winter capital at Shushan, or Susa, a beautiful city about a hundred miles from the Per- sian Gulf, One day in the month Chislev (November- December) 445 B. c., Hanani, the brother of Nehemiah, and 379 380 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS a party of Jews arrived in Susa from Jerusalem. They brought with them sad news. The Jews who had returned to Jerusalem were in great trouble; the wall was broken down, and the gates had been burned. When Nehemiah heard this report, he was greatly grieved. He was sincerely sorry to find that affairs in Jerusalem were in such a state, and his first thought was to ask God’s help in the matter. He made a wonderful prayer, confessing the § 2 = (73) - bn e) j BS wo" i | ALLEY OF HiINNOM sin of the people, but asking God’s help and mercy for them. He determined to go to Jerusalem. He asked that God would make the king favorable to him, and allow him to go. Four months passed before an opportunity came for Nehemiah to speak to the king of what was in his heart. Nehemiah had to keep as cheerful as possible in the presence of the king, or else Artaxerxes would have become sus- picious of him. But at last Nehemiah’s looks betrayed him. No longer could he keep his countenance cheerful. The king JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 381 and the queen, whom he was serving, spoke of it, and asked him what the matter was. Before Nehemiah answered the king he quickly said a prayer to God, asking that the king look favorably upon his request. ‘Then he asked Artaxerxes to allow him to go to Jerusalem, and to rebuild the walls of the city. God granted Nehemiah’s prayer. Artaxerxes and the queen talked to- gether. The king asked Nehemiah how long he thought that it would be necessary for him to be absent, and finally granted his petition. The king showed his favor in many ways. He gave to Nehemiah letters to the governors of the regions through which he must pass; an order to the royal forester for timber for the castle at Jerusalem, for the wall of the city, and for a house for Nehemiah himself. So Nehemiah set out on his journey with all things favor- able. The king gave a military escort; all along the way— at Babylon, at Hamath, at Damascus—he would probably be entertained at the residences of the governors. His party was small, and so he probably made the journey in less time than did Ezra or Zerubbabel. Nehemiah arrived in Jerusalem in safety. For three days he rested, as Ezra had done also, you remember. ‘Then he was ready to plan for the work which had brought him to Jerusalem. HANDWORK AND Map Work On page 380 you will find a map of Jerusalem as it was at the time of Nehemiah and later. Model the city, particu- larly the walls, on the sand table, or put the map on the blackboard. Mark the different gates. NoreBook Work In your notebook write a comparison of the journeys of Zerubbabel, Ezra, and Nehemiah. Memory WorxK Nehemiah was a man of prayer, and God answered his prayers. Learn these prayers to say morning and evening: 382 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS A Morninc PRAYER “Help us to do the things we should, To be to others kind and good; In all we do in work and play To grow more loving every day. Amen.” AN EVENING PRAYER “Blessed Lord, we thank thee For thy care to-day; Make us good and noble, Take our sins away. Bless the friends who love us; From all evil keep: May thy holy angels Guard us while we sleep. Amen.” —THomAs Simmons (with alteration). SUNDAY SESSION NEHEMIAH BUILDS THE WALL Nehemiah 2: 17-20; chs. 3, 4 THE MEMORY VERSE “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, And into his courts with praise: Give thanks unto him, and bless his name.” —Psalm 100: 4. THE LESSON STORY At first Nehemiah did not tell the people of Jerusalem what his purpose was in visiting the city. He wanted to have the situation clear in his own mind before he put matters before them. f So, after he had rested from the journey, he set out one night, with a few trusted attendants, to examine the walls. They rode for part of the way, but for the rest of the expe- dition found that it was necessary to go on foot. After Nehemiah had made this survey, he called a meeting of the Jewish leaders—the priests, the heads of families, the chief workmen, the city authorities. He told them his story —how God had led him to come to Jerusalem, and how the JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 383 king had helped; he pictured to them the conditions of the city, and said that it was a disgrace to them. He was so eloquent, and so much in earnest, that at the close of his speech the people were ready. As one man they shouted, “ Let us rise up and build!” The work was apportioned. The priests were to build the part of the wall, nearest the Temple; the men of Jericho were to build the part of the wall toward their town; many of the men were to build the part of the wall nearest their own homes. They began to build eagerly. However, it was not all easy. The enemy Samaritans and Arabians and Ammonites and others tried to prevent the work. They plotted against Nehemiah; they ridiculed the efforts of the people. Nehemiah knew how to stand the attacks of the enemy. He prayed to God; he armed the people so that they might withstand attacks. He was a strong leader ; the people “ had a mind to work” under him. In spite of every hindrance the building continued, and in fifty-two days, with all work- ing together, the wall was finished in the month of Septem- ber. Once more God’s city was protected from the attacks of enemies. PutTING THE LEsson INTO THE LIFE OF THE CLASS _ “Nehemiah accomplished his great task because he put first things first. He allowed nothing to draw him aside from the thing that God had committed to his hands.” God will help all of us who put our best effort into willing and loving service for him. Work and pray. Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem continued their work in spite of opposition. They showed enthusiasm, pa- triotism, courage, self-control, energy, readiness to cooperate with others. How many of these qualities do you possess? Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem were not afraid of ridicule, which is often one of the most difficult attacks to 384 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS withstand. When you know that you are right, do not give up because others make fun of your efforts. THE Lesson TrutTH IN Your LIFE Let us try always to “ have a mind ” to work as the people of Jerusalem did, and do with all our might what our hands find to do. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY You are building a wall—the wall of character. Be sure that the stones you lay are all square and true. Try to do one act this week that will be a “square” stone in your foun- dation wall, upon which you can build in the future. As JosEpHUsS TELLS THE STORY Now there was one of those Jews who had been carried away captive, who was cupbearer to King Artaxerxes; his name was Nehemiah. As this man was walking before Susa, the metropolis of the Persians, he heard some strangers that were entering the city after a long journey, speaking to one another in the Hebrew tongue; so he went to them, and asked them whence they came. And when their answer was that they came from Judea, he began to inquire of them again in what state the multitude was, and in what condition Jerusalem was. And when they replied that they were in a bad state, for that their walls were thrown down to the ground, and that the neighboring nations did a great deal of mischief to the Jews, while in the daytime they overran the country and pillaged it, and in the night did them mischief, insomuch that not a few were led away captive out of Jeru- salem itself, and that the roads were in the daytime found full of dead men. Hereupon Nehemiah shed tears, out of commiseration of the calamities of his countrymen ; and look- ing up to heaven, he said, “ How long, O Lord, wilt thou overlook our nation, while it suffers so great miseries, and while we are made the prey and spoils of all men?” And while he stayed at the gate, and lamented thus, one told him that the king was going to sit down to supper: so he made haste . . . to minister to the king in his office of cupbearer. But as the king was very pleasant after supper, and more JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 385 cheerful than usual, he cast his eye on Nehemiah, and seeing him look sad, he asked him why he was sad. Whereupon he prayed to God to give him favor, and afford him the power of persuading by his words, and said, “ How can I, O king, appear otherwise than thus, and not be in trouble, while I hear that the walls of Jerusalem, the city where are the sepulchers of my fathers are thrown down to the ground, and that its gates are consumed by fire; but do thou grant me the favor to go and build its wall, and to finish the build- ing of the Temple.” Accordingly the king gave him a signal, that he freely granted him what he asked, and told him that he should carry an epistle to the governors, that they might pay him due honor, and afford him whatsoever assistance he wanted, and as he pleased. “ Leave off thy sorrow, then (said the king), and be cheerful in the performance of thy office hereafter.” So Nehemiah worshiped God, and gave the king thanks for his promise, and cleared up his sad and cloudy countenance by the pleasure he had from the king’s promises. Accordingly the king called for him the next day, and gave him an epistle to be carried to . . . the governor of Syria, and Phoenicia, and Samaria; wherein he sent to him to pay due honor to Nehemiah, and to supply him with what he wanted for his building.—JosEPHUs. EXPRESSIONAL SESSION ENTHUSIASM FOR OUR TASKS Nehemiah 2:17, 18; 4:6 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS Nehemiah’s enthusiasm inspired the people of Jerusalem to work, for after his talk with them, they rose up, shouting, “Let us ... build,” and later he tells us that they “had a mind to work.” In fact, they worked with such a will that in fifty-two days they repaired the wall which had lain in ruins for more than one hundred and forty years. Often great things are accomplished through an enthusiastic leader. If our hearts are in the work that we undertake, we can ac- complish much. If we are in earnest in God’s work, we shall 386 JUNIOR, CHURCH SCHOO LESSONS be able to do far more than if we work half-heartedly. Let us ask God to kindle in us the fire of enthusiasm such as Nehemiah felt, so that we may do much for him and in his service. THE CLAss PRAYER Our Father in heaven, we ask thee to help us to do our work for thee whole-heartedly and with enthusiasm. We ask thee that our example and our encouragement may help others also to be enthusiastic for the right. Amen. VerRSES FoR USE IN THE MEETING Psalm 69:9; 119: 139; Ecclesiastes 9:10; Isaiah 59:17; Johnvacl 7g al le @orinthians e272: Hymns tTHat May Bs USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING “ Work, for the Night Is Coming.” “ Now in the Days of Youth.” ** Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus.” RaVAICLOLY. a “Quit You Like Men.” “Let Us Be Up and Doing.” * Ready for Service.” “ True-Hearted, Whole-Hearted, Faithful and Loyal.” QuEsTIONS FoR USE IN THE MEETING 1. How did Deborah encourage Barak to do God’s work? Judges 4: 14. 2. How did Joshua encourage the people of Israel in their battle with the Amorites? Joshua 10: 12-16. 3. In what way did David show his enthusiasm for build- ing a house for the worship of God? 4. How did Solomon, inspired by the enthusiasm of his father, complete the work which David planned? 5. How did John the Baptist’s fire and earnestness in- spire the first followers of Jesus? John 1: 35-42. 6. How did the enthusiasm of Philip the disciple lead Nathanael to become a disciple of Jesus? John 1: 45-49, JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 387 Topics For DIscUSSION OR REPORTS The Enthusiasm of Peter for the Work of Christ. Paul’s Enthusiasm in Carrying the Message of Jesus. Enthusiasm for Good Work. Enthusiasm for God’s Work. Inspiring Others with Enthusiasm. Enthusiasm in Missionary Work To-Day. ame RON ex To READ IN THE MEETING “ Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Put your whole heart into everything that you do, and you will find that you will win the interest of others, and succeed in your undertaking. “Enthusiasm is the steam of the human engine—the elec- tric current that moves to action.” Be careful to “carry through” the task which you begin with enthusiasm. “ Do not begin a job with a hurrah, and finish it with an excuse.” “ Successfully to accomplish any task, it is necessary not only that you should give it the best there is in you, but also that you should obtain for it the best there is in those under your guidance.” “Somebody said it couldn’t be done, But he with a chuckle replied That ‘maybe it couldn’t,’ but he would be one Who wouldn’t say so till he tried. So he buckled right in with the trace of a grin On his face. If he worried he hid it. He started to sing as he tackled the thing That couldn’t be done, and he did it.” SoMETHING TO Do Tuts WEEK Find out the story of a man or a woman who has been an enthusiastic leader in God’s work, and write his or her story in your notebook. CHAPTER XLI WEEK DAY SESSION EZRA TEACHES THE LAW Nehemiah, chapter 8 Tore MEMory VERSE “ For Jehovah is good; his lovingkindness endureth for ever, And his faithfulness unto all generations.”—Psalm 100: 5. THE LEsson STORY The repairing of the wall of Jerusalem was completed on the twenty-fifth day of September (Elul, the sixth month) amid great rejoicing. On the first day of the seventh month, Ethanim or Tishri, came the feast of trumpets, the Jewish civil new year’s day, and on that day, at the request of the people, Ezra called them together, to hear the law of God. It had been more than thirteen years since Ezra had re- turned to Jerusalem. During that time he had been copying the book of the law, and working to make it ready for the people. Now they assembled eagerly to hear it read, for the Jews wanted to know God’s will, and to do it. On the hill Ophel, near the water gate, through which water was brought into the city, was a large, open square. Here the people assembled—men and women and all the children old enough to hear with understanding—in the early morning of that new year’s day, after the repairs on the wall of the city had been completed. They knew something of the law, but for many years they had not heard it read. Many of the younger people had never heard it at all. Ezra and six other scribes had prepared to instruct the people. A sort of raised wooden pulpit had been built, and the people gathered around this. Ezra rose. He opened the book of the law. He blessed the Lord, and all the people answered, “ Amen,” and worshiped God. Ezra and the other scribes took turns in reading. ‘They 388 ——S ee eS ee OO JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 389 read from morning until midday, slowly and distinctly, ex- plaining the words which they read, telling the meaning of the law. It was the first Bible school. The people stood there listening. They knew as they heard the reading that they had not done God’s will. They mourned and wept for their sins. Nehemiah, the governor, and Ezra saw that the people were truly sorry for their disobedience. They knew, too, that one of the reasons for their disobedience was that they had not known God’s law. So they went among the people, urging them not to mourn longer for their sins of the past, but to try to do better in the future, now that they knew God’s will for them. They urged them to go home and to feast and to make merry, to share their good things with others who did not have so much; to show their repentance by future obedience. This day was holy unto the Lord, they said. The joy of the Lord was their strength. The people did as their leaders commanded. On the next day they assembled again, and again the law was read and explained to them. During this time they learned of the feast of tabernacles, which had been forgotten. They learned how it had been celebrated from the days of Joshua, for many years. It was just at this time of the year, for it began on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, and lasted seven days, so they determined to celebrate this feast. The feast of tabernacles was a harvest festival. During the seven days which it lasted, the people lived in booths, in memory of the time of the wilderness journey, when the Children of Israel had lived in this way. 5o now messengers were sent through all the cities of the land, to obtain olive branches and palm branches and pine and myrtle, and once more the people built for themselves booths, where they dwelt for seven days, as their ancestors had done in the past. On the eighth day there was a solemn assemblage, as the law decreed. Once more God’s people were trying to live according to his law. After this time the Jewish people were the “ people of a Book.” ‘They guided their lives in every way by the law. Never after this time did they worship any god but the true God, Jehovah. ‘6 390 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS Tue First SuNDAY SCHOOL OF MopERN TIMES Probably you would not have thought it a Sunday school at all. It was about the year 1780, in the city of Gloucester, in England. Robert Raikes, a Christian printer, was troubled as he went through the streets on Sunday, to see the boys and girls passing their time in “ noise and riot, play- ing chuck, cursing and swearing.’ He determined to do something about it. He employed four women who were already teachers in the day schools, then called “dame schools,” to teach such children as he could gather together. For a shilling a week the pupils in this school were taught reading and the Church catechism. These children showed such improvement in their conduct that they attracted the attention of the newspapers and magazines, and soon Queen Charlotte of England became interested in the work. So the Sunday school had its begin- ning in England. In the United States, the first permanent Sunday school of which there is authentic record was the First Day, or Sunday, School Society formed in Philadel- phia in 1791. It was composed of pupils of several differ- ent denominations, including the Society of Friends. To-day there are more than 1,361,000 pupils in the Presbyterian Sunday schools of the United States alone. HANDWORK Make a scroll “book,” such as you have made several times before, and write on it the names of the teachers of the first Bible school, and the founder of the first modern Bible school. NotTEBooK WorK Tell in your own words the story of Ezra and the reading of the law. MrEmMory WorkK Learn Psalm 19: 7-14. The law of Jehovah is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the simple. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 391 The precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of Jehovah is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of Jehovah is« n, enduring for ever: The ordinances of Jehovan are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the droppings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned: In keeping them there is great reward. Who can discern his errors? Clear thou me from hidden faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; Let them not have dominion over me: Then shall I be upright, And I shall be clear from great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in thy sight, O Jehovah, my rock, and my redeemer. How You May HEtp to MAKE THIs SCHOOL THE BEST ScHOOL IN "LOWN Come regularly. Do your work faithfully. Be on time. Bring new pupils. SUNDAY SESSION THE PROPHET MALACHY Malachi 3: 1-3, 8-18 THE MrEMory VERSE “ Bring ye the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.”—Malachi 3: 10. Tur Lesson STORY At about the time when Ezra and Nehemiah were working in Jerusalem, there was a prophet who warned and advised the people what they should do. This was Malachi—a name which means “my messenger ’’—the last prophet of the 392 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS Old Testament. We know nothing of Malachi’s history, but in his prophecy there are many messages even for the people of to-day. His words were probably spoken at a time when the people were much discouraged. ‘They had returned from the Exile to find Jerusalem far different from the city of their dreams. They were unhappy as they compared it with the city of Solomon’s time, of whose glory they had heard so much. They felt that perhaps God did not care for them after all. Then Malachi spoke out. He told the people that in many ways they had not honored God; he warned them that be- cause of their selfishness and wickedness, God would not accept their offerings. There would be purer sacrifices which showed love more truly, among the Gentiles, and the heathen. The Jews had robbed God. If they brought to — him true service, he would open the windows of heaven, and pour out a blessing upon them so great that there would not be room enough to receive it. “ Bring ye the whole tithe into the store-house,” he said, “that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.” Malachi foretold, too, of the coming of the “sun of right- eousness ’—the Saviour of the world—and of the messenger who would prepare the way before him. He prophesied of the coming of the great Day of Judgment when God should reward the obedient, and punish those who had dis- obeyed him. Malachi lived more than four hundred years before Christ. He was the last of a long line of prophets who had spoken God’s will to the Jewish people. After his time they had God’s written Word, the law, to guide them. ‘They were to follow its rules. PuTTING THE Lksson INTO THE LIFE OF THE CLASS TRACHINGS OF MALACHI WHICH ARE USEFUL FOR US TO-DAY Missionary Teaching. We should help to spread the knowledge of God through the world. “ For from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same my name JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 393 shall be great among the Gentiles ; and in every place incense shall be offered unto my name, and a pure offering: for my name shall be great among the Gentiles.”—Malachi 1: 11. Stewardship Teaching. We should be faithful stewards of God. “ Bring ye the whole tithe into the store-house, that there may be food in my house, and prove me now herewith, saith Jehovah of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be . room enough to receive it.”—Malachi 3: 10. Preparing for the Future. We should so live that we shall not fear the Day of Judgment. “ And he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi, and refine them as gold and silver; and they shall offer unto Jehovah offerings in righteousness.”—Malachi 3: 3. “And they shall be mine, saith Jehovah of hosts, even mine own possession, in the day that I make; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.” —Malachi 3: 17. “For, behold, the day cometh, it burneth as a furnace; and all the proud, and all that work wickedness, shall be stub- ble; . . . But unto you that fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings.’—Malachi A eRZ: THE Lesson TrutTH IN Your LIFE Let us try to obey God, serving him and loving him, hon- estly and whole-heartedly, so that we shall be approved upon the Judgment Day. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Talk over with your teacher the subject of tithing, or of giving a tenth of your time and your money to God. Then do it. EXPRESSIONAL SESSION KNOWING GOD’S LAW AND DOING IT Psalm 19: 7-14 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS After the time of Ezra, the Jews were known as “the 394 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS people of a Book.” They studied faithfully the parts of the Bible which they had; they wrote interpretations of it; many of them spent their lives in studying it. Though they added to the laws which God had given to them many laws of their own, we would do well to follow their example in studying the Book, and trying to understand God’s will for us as it is given there. We know more of God’s will than did the people of Ezra’s time, for we have the New Testament as well as the Old Testament ; we have the life of Jesus as an example to follow. As we study God’s law, we see that it touches our lives in every way. It shows us how to live aright in the sight of God and of our fellow men. Let us ask God to help us to read and understand his law of life as given in the Bible. THE CLAss PRAYER O God, we know that thou wouldest have us grow as Jesus grew, advancing “in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and men.” We can do this if we know and do thy law. Help us then, we pray thee, to know and to do thy law. Amen. VERSES FoR USE IN THE MEETING Psalm 119:2, 105; Luke Ll: 28; John#5- 393" @olossiane On | Ona) ainecelerecar y Hymns THAT May Bg USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING “Oh, How Love lL [hy awe “O Word of God, Incarnate.” “A Glory Gilds the Sacred Page.” “Upon the Gospel’s Sacred Page.” QUESTIONS FoR USE IN THE MEETING 1. When and how was God’s law given to the Children of Israel? 2. How was it cared for by the people of Israel? 3. How did Joash and Josiah and Jehoiakim treat God’s law? JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 395 What did Ezra do in regard to the law? How can we know God’s law? How can we obey God’s law? Cre Topics FoR DiscussION oR REPORTS The Law of God Given to Moses. The Law in Old Testament Times. The Law in New Testament ‘Times. Ezra and the Law. The People of a Book. The Law of God To-Day. Knowing God’s Law, and Doing It. Pe bata aoe To READ IN THE MEETING Psalm 119 is a long psalm of one hundred and seventy-six verses. Yet all but two of these verses mention God’s law, and tell of the feeling of the psalmist about it. It was a light to his path, and a guide which he loved. “Tow shall the young secure their hearts, And guard their lives from sin? Thy Word the choicest rule imparts, To keep the conscience clean.” The Bible is perfect law, sure testimony, right precept, pure commandments, clean fear, true judgments, richer than gold, sweeter than honey, friendly warning, great reward. To make the Bible our own, we must read and study it; put its truth into our words and into our living. “Apply thyself wholly to the Scriptures, and the Scrip- tures wholly to thyself.” “We search the world for truth; we cull The good, the pure, the beautiful From graven stone and written scroll, From all old flower fields of the soul; And, weary seekers of the best, We come back laden from the quest, To find that all the sages said Is in the Book our mothers read.” 396 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS SoMETHING TO Do THIS WEEK Go over Psalm 119 very carefully, and make a list of the words that are used there to mean God’s Word, the Bible— such words as statutes, testimonies, judgments. Make a list of these, and be able to tell which verses of the psalm do not have such a word. COAPT B Rex LT WEEK DAY SESSION THE STORY OF THE MACCABEES Hebrews 11: 13-31 THE Mrmory VERSE “Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12: Ik Tue LEsson Story After the days of Ezra and Nehemiah many changes came to the Jews, as well as to the other people of the world. The time of history of which we have written records had come, and the nations of Europe were beginning to play a part in the world. A new struggle for world supremacy began. Before this time the rulers of the world had been the Egyptians, or some of the peoples of Asia, such as the Assyr- jans, or the Babylonians, or the Persians. Now a new na- tion was rising into power, west of Persia. Greece, in Europe was, coming to the fore. In 490 B. c., the Persians had been defeated by the Greeks at Marathon. A little later they had met defeat again at the naval battle of Salamis. Then, in the year 336 B. c., Alexander, the twenty-year-old son of Philip of Macedon, in northern Greece, became the king of Greece. In 334 B. c., he started out to conquer Persia and the East, and in three battles with the Persians he was completely victorious. “ Persia soon lay at his feet. With tireless energy he pressed eastward to India, and south to Egypt. The entire civilized world of antiquity fell before his army, and all countries offered him homage as the great- est conqueror that the world had ever seen.’ 397 398 JUNIOR CHURCH" SCHOOU LESSONS But Alexander did not live to be an old man. He died when he was only thirty-three years old, and his empire soon fell to pieces. Judea at first fell into the power of Egypt. Later it was annexed to Syria, and in 175 B. c., Antiochus Epiphanes became the ruler. Under his rule, the fashions of the Gentiles were introduced among the Jews. Antiochus disregarded all the religious rites and ceremonies of the people. “After gaining a victory in a war with Egypt, Antiochus returned to Jerusalem and entering the Temple took away the golden altar, and the candlestick, and all the sacred gold and silver vessels and much hidden treasure. He set up the Greek Zeus in the Temple court, desecrated the altar of the Jews, and issued the command that all people of every nation forsake their own, and worship at that altar. The Jews were forbidden to keep the Sabbath or any of their holy days. ... The book of the law was forbidden, and if copies were found, they were burned. Jews disobeying any of these commands were tortured and put to death.” Finally there was a great massacre of the Jews. Some of the people would no longer endure this state of affairs, and an old priest named Mattathias led a revolt against Anti- ochus. He, with his five sons, and a little band of faithful and courageous Jews fled to the mountains, where, as had David before them, they gathered together an army of those who would not stand longer for foreign oppression. After two years Mattathias died, and his third son, Judas, became the leader of these faithful men. This man, Judas, received the name ‘“‘Maccabeus,” which means “hammer,” because he won his successes by a series of sharp, unexpected attacks upon the troops of the Syrian ruler. Another reason given for the name is that in battle he wore a cap whose peak looked like a hammer. Again and again Judas and his band swooped down upon the enemy, and finally, in 165 B. c., they took Jerusalem and cleaned and rededicated the Temple. Then, for eight days, they held a celebration which has been known and celebrated ever since as “ the feast of lights.” Judas Maccabeus fell in battle in 160 8. c., and his younger brother Jonathan, who was already high priest, became the leader of the army. ee a a ee ee ee ee JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 399 The family of the Maccabees ruled in Jerusalem from 166 B. c. until 37 B. c. In the meantime, the supremacy of Greece had yielded to that of Rome, and Judea came under the control of the new world conqueror. It was ruled by Rome at the time of the birth of Jesus and during his life, and for many years afterwards. The rule of the Maccabees was the last period of independence which the Jews enjoyed. Ever since those days they have been under the control of a foreign power, and scattered over all the world. Tur APOCRYPHA The story of the.Maccabees is not found in the Bible, but is in a book called the Apocrypha. This is an old collec- tion of Jewish stories and history, some of them valuable, but not “the sacred writings,” as the Bible is. Some of the most important sections of the Apocrypha are the four books of the Maccabees; the two books of Esdras; and Kcclesiasticus. HANDWORK Complete any handwork that you have failed to do during this course, and prepare for an exhibit. NoteBook WorRK Write the story of the Maccabees in your notebook, and complete any unfinished work. Memory WorkK Learn the words of the following old hymn: “Faith of our fathers! living still In spite of dungeon, fire and sword, Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy Whene’er we hear that glorious word: Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee till death. “Our fathers, chained in prisons dark, Were still in heart and conscience free; And blest would be their children’s fate If they, like them, should die for thee. 400 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS “Faith of our fathers! God’s great power Shall win all nations unto thee; And through the truth that comes from God Mankind shall then indeed be free. “Faith of our fathers! we will love Both friend and foe in all our strife, And preach thee, too, as love knows how By kindly word and virtuous life.” be Jupas Maccas2us “Mighty and strong even from his youth up.” These were the words with which the dying Mattathias had recom- mended Judas for the leadership; and as more than mighty and strong, as tender and true, he became the darling of all who were lovers of country and creed. “In his acts he was like a lion, and like a lion’s whelp roaring for his prey ” (1 Maccabees 3:4). But the words in which the panegyric closes tell in simple pathos of more than soldierly might, “He received unto him such as were ready to perish” (1 Maccabees 3:9). Very touching and very suggestive in their simplicity. They bring before us at once the extremity of the national peril, “those that were ready to perish,” and the saving work of the leader’s life—‘ he received” them, putting around them the great arms of his loving strength. His deeds read like a romance, and did we not know what men inspired by love of faith and fatherland can do, they would be incredible. As Cromwell out of raw peasants made the “ Ironsides,”’ and as Clive out of the sweepings of the jails made the men who endured at Arcot and triumphed at Plassey, so Judas from the fugitives of the hills formed an infantry whose steady discipline, inspired by religion, breasted and broke, at odds of ten to one, the trained troops of a mighty king. Under him they learned to count neither the number of their friends nor the number of their foes, but with the Hammer at their head, to go straight on.— “ BETWEEN THE TESTAMENTS,” By CHARLES M. GRANT. —— PUNTO, CHURCH. SCHOOL LESSONS 401 SUNDAY SESSION APPS Ries Oe Ae MEE Hebrews 11: 1, 32-40 THE MrEMory VERSE “This is the victory that hath overcome the world, even our faith.”—I John 5: 4. Tue LkEsson STORY When Judas and his small army were preparing to go against the huge force of the Syrians, numbering forty- seven thousand men, they were in many ways like Gideon of old. You remember how Gideon, at God’s command, had sent home those who were afraid, and had tested his men until there were only three hundred to fight against the huge host of the enemy. Now Judas had only six thousand men to fight for him. But as did Gideon’s forces, they trusted God and were obedient. They were at Mizpah in the moun- tains. In preparation for the battle they fasted all day; they put on sackcloth; they sprinkled ashes upon their heads. They spread out before the Lord the book of the law which they had been forbidden to possess, and in which the heathen had painted likenesses of their idols. They brought to the Lord offerings—the first fruits and the tithes which there Was no one to receive, saying: “ What shall we do with these, and whither shall we carry them away? For the sanctuary is trodden down and profaned, and thy priests are in heavi- ness and brought low. And lo, the heathen are assembled together against us to destroy us: what things they 1m- agine against us, thou knowest. How shall we be able to stand against them, except thou, O God, be our help?” Then Judas arranged his army. He sent home those who were afraid, as Gideon had done before him, so reducing his force to three thousand men. He moved south, and trusting in God, won a great victory. He advanced toward Jeru- salem, and the next year entered the city. So Judas and his men lived a life of faith, and conquered by faith. They trusted in God’s power to help them, and they depended upon him. 402 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS We, too, who live in the present day have battles to fight. We, too, must trust in God, as did so many of the heroes of the past. We must live by faith, too, as did Abraham and Jacob and Nehemiah and Judas Maccabeus, and the rest. If we decide whole-heartedly and earnestly to serve God, and to be his followers, we will be ready to add our names to the list of those who have in so many ages of the world lived by faith and stood boldly for Christ and for the right. as PuTttinc THE Lk¥sson INTO THE LIFE OF THE CLASS Trust in God, and do the right. God wants his followers to show their faith in him by de- claring their belief in him openly. We show our faith in God openly, by becoming members of his Church. “T believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth: And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.” We show our faith in God the Father and in Jesus the Son in the lives that we live, and in trying to do God’s will. God wants us to be faithful to him even to death. Per- haps we shall not have the opportunity to die for him, as did so many men and women in the past. But we can show our faith by living for him. Men and women of to-day could hardly live if they did not have faith and confidence in one another. You have faith in your doctor; you have faith that your mother will do as she promises. Let us have faith in God that he will do what he promises, and we will find that our faith is justified. “ Jesus Christ makes of our faith in God a reality because he shows us the way his own faith in his heavenly Father brought him the fullest and noblest kind of daily living. His whole life and teaching show us the possibility of living in happy harmony of purpose and work with our heavenly Father. Jesus Christ had not only faith in“his Father but es ee ee ee ee eee eee JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 403 in himself. He said again and again, ‘1 do always the things that are well pleasing to him,’ and he said this because he also said, ‘I and my Father are one.’ You see, through his life and teaching we learn from Jesus Christ that faith is not just a pleasing sentiment; it is a rule to live by and to live with day by day. Faith in ourselves, faith in our neighbors and friends, and above and beyond everything else, faith in God as Father and Friend will help us to live as Christ lived.”—Living at Our Best. THE Lesson TrRutH IN Your LIFE Let us show our faith in God and in Jesus Christ by the way in which we love and trust him. EXPRESSIONAL ACTIVITY Try to find examples of faith in our fellow human beings. Look for examples of faith in God. Then show your faith in God by coming out openly on his side. EXPRESSIONAL SESSION THE VISION OF LIFE Proverbs 29: 18 SUGGESTIONS FOR THE LEADER’S OPENING ADDRESS As we look forward into the future, we see a vision of what we hope that our lives will be. We want to be good men and women; we want to do our work in the world faith- fully and well; we want to do the work that God would have us to do. We know that the Bible tells us that where there is no vision the people perish. Many people live only for the present, not thinking of the better life to come. But we want ourselves and all the people of our nation to be people of vision. We want to desire the best, and to devote our lives to the best—and the Best is God. We want to be ready to give ourselves and our lives to his service, as did the heroes of the past, and as so many heroes of the present are doing. We are only Juniors, but even now we can plan for our life 404 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL EERSSONS work. Whether we are missionaries or preachers or busi- ness men and women, or housewives, or whatever we may be, we can do all that we do to the glory of God. Let us ask God to help us in this. THE CLAss PRAYER Our Father in heaven, help us to see the future in the true light, and to plan our lives with the thought of thee guiding us. May thy Word be% lamp to our feet. Help us to take the right path, we ask thee. Amen. VERSES FOR USE IN THE MEETING Joshua 24:15; I Samuel 3:1; Joel 2:28; I Corinthians 12: 27-31; Hebrews 11. 1. Hymns THAT May Bg USED IN CONNECTION WITH THE MEETING “OC Master Workman of the Race.” “ Dear Master, in Whose Life I See.” “Take Myilitesandsietaltabers “ Move Forward.” “ Forward! Be Our Watchword.” “ Forward, Singing Glory.” QUESTIONS FoR USE IN THE MEETING How did the boy Samuel prepare for his life work? How did the boy David prepare for his life work? How did George Washington prepare for his future? How did Abraham Lincoln do this? How can you best prepare for your life work? What should guide you in your choice of life work? Does God want us all to be preachers? doctors? mis- sionaries? (I Corinthians, chapter 12.) 8. Name some ways in which God points out to us our life work. ! NDB ON Topics For DiscussIoN or REPORTS 1. Choosing Our Life Work. 2. The Vision of the Future. JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS 405 Great Dreams and Great Deeds. God Guiding Our Decision. The Greatest Decision of All. Giving Our Talents to God. Dreaming and Doing. SN eat ear To READ IN THE MEETING “OQ Thou who dost the vision send And gives to each his task, And with the task sufficient strength, Show us thy will, we ask; Give us a conscience bold and good, Give us a purpose true, That it may be our highest Joy, Our Father’s work to do.” “The youth who does not look up, will look down; and the spirit that does not soar is destined perhaps to grovel.” “Tn the springtime, be able to see the harvest.” “Think of Columbus and Galileo! Think of Admiral Peary, or General Goethals! . . . Every inventor, whether he is a boy making a little water wheel that will turn in a brook, or a man who sees a new kind of machinery which will make adventure in the air safer and swifter; it matters not! The boy inventor and the great scientist alike have faith in the substance of things hoped for, and more than hoped for. The vision is there, the vision which they pur- pose to materialize through physical forces into reality.” A LOoFtTiER RACE “These things shall be—a loftier race Than e’er the world shall rise With flame of freedom in their souls, And light of knowledge in their eyes. “They shall be gentle, brave, and strong To spill no drop of blood, but dare All that may plant man’s iordship firm On earth, and fire, and sea, and air. 406 JUNIOR CHURCH SCHOOL LESSONS “Nation with nation, land with land, Unarmed shall live as comrades free; In every heart and brain shall throb The pulse of one fraternity.” SOMETHING To Do T'HIs WEEK Think seriously about the question of a choice for the future. If you have not yet made the greatest choice of all —the decision for Christ—think about that choice first of all. SG reese oe eae tae bree eet pea bebabebeeret Sot pare ere ess. eeeseery . 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