LESSON XIII.—SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1899.
Golden Text: "The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them." Ps. 34:7. LESSON I.—Gracious Invitations. Hos. 14:1-9. God's gracious invitation to Israel, and to all His backslidden people to return to Him. The golden text is the true seeker's response to the Lord's appeal, "Come, and let us return unto the Lord." LESSON II.—Daniel in Babylon. Dan. 1:8-21. One of the grandest temperance lessons of the Word of God. It shows how God will work in the lives and characters and capabilities of him who is loyally co-operative with God. Golden text: "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself." LESSON III.—The Hebrews in the Fiery Furnace. Dan. 3:14-28. Here are points among others: Church and State governments (such was Babylon) always persecute. God's people should stand true to principle, whether death or deliverance await. They can not in any way compromise, or seem to yield their faith. God is able to deliver, and will now if it is for His glory. If not He is with us in the suffering. What bearing have the principles of this lesson on modern religious legislation or Sunday laws? Golden text: "Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us." LESSON IV.—The Handwriting on the Wall. Dan. 5:17-31. Near the time of the return of the captive Jews to Jerusalem. Babylon had run her allotted career. Weighed in the balances, she was found wanting, and doomed. Of what use are you in God's vineyard? He will soon weigh your character. Will He be forced to number the days of your existence? or will your future be forever with Him? Golden text, "God is the Judge." Ps. 75:7. LESSON V.—Daniel in the Lions' Den. Dan. 6:10-23. Another lesson of Church and State union. In lesson 3 God's people were asked to pay outward deference to a false god. In this lesson the servant of the Lord is asked simply to refrain from openly worshiping the true. Both of these tests will come to God's people in these days. God honors and preserves the loyal. Notice also that through the loyalty of those Hebrews the knowledge of the true God was carried throughout the Babylonian and Medo-Persian Empires. You do not know how much your loyalty to truth in a little thing will amount to. Golden text: "The Lord is thy keeper." Ps. 121:5. LESSON VI.—The New Heart. Eze. 36:25-36. The precious lessons on Daniel and his fellows have been dealing with new-hearted men; for the true hearts are the new hearts, made so by God's power. God will give to all the new heart who will yield to Him and believe. God's promise, "A new heart also will I give you," is a golden text for every man. LESSON VII.—Ezekiel's Great Vision. Eze. 37:1-14. A lesson of God's power in a twofold sense. He is able to re-create a living man who is as hopeless as the dry bones of the dead, and He will raise up all Israel in the last day. But to be among them then, the power of Christ's resurrection must be manifest in our lives now over sin. See Eph. 1:19-21; Phil. 3:10. The golden text is God's promise to His children now: "I will put My Spirit within you." Are you ready for it? LESSON VIII.—The River of Salvation. Eze. 47:1-12. From this conditional prophecy we may learn what God desires to do for all His people; nay for the earth. He wishes to heal all diseases, restore the lost. Jesus says (golden text): "Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17. LESSON IX.—Returning from Captivity.—Ezra 1:1-11. The lesson for us is God's faithfulness and mercy, and His desire to save us from all the bands and captivity of sin. Golden text: "The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad." Ps. 126:3. LESSON X.—Rebuilding the Temple. Ezra 3:10 to 4:5. This is the fulfillment of God's promise made 200 years before. The practical lesson is that God is taking our poor sin-weakened bodies and hearts and rebuilding them for His own dwelling-place. Golden text: "The temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." 1 Cor. 3:17. LESSON XI.—Encouraging the Builders. Haggai 2:1-9. God has always encouraged His true workers in great crises, by special messengers. He encourages every true soul in character-building, by the Word of God, by the messages through angels, prophets, apostles, and our Lord Himself. He encourages us by reproof, by warning, by true friends, by His Holy Spirit. Golden text: "Be strong, all ye people of the land, saith the Lord, and work; for I am with you." LESSON XII.—Power through the Spirit. Zech. 4:1-14. No machinery, no devices, no art or craft, no organizations, no carefully laid plans, no force of men can take the place of the Spirit of God in God's work. That Spirit must direct and furnish the power, or the work will come to naught. "Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts." An excellent review may be made from the golden texts of the various lessons.