Christian Nation Vol. 18 1893 - Rparchives.org

Feb. 22,1893A FAMILY PAPER.the voice of God. Moses' hand thrust into hisbosom is white with leprosy. Stretched forthto grasp the serpent, it becomes the power ofGod. Esther, had she neglected her duty,would have lain one of the first, a bloodycorpse, pierced through by the cruel sword ofthe persecuter. She would have lost tier lifa.By devoting her life she saved not only herself,but her people. Her course at that time is theonly safe course now. Reader, devote yourlife. God asks it. Your people need it.3. God was not short of means. He isnever short of means : he can save by many asby few. It was not necessary that Esther'ssweet young life should have been sacrificed tothat selfish, heartless monarch, in order thatGod would deliver his people from death.Mordecai says, " If thou do altogether holdthy peace at this time, then shall there enlargementand deliverance arise to the Jews fromanother place ; but thou and thy father's houseshall be destroyed," v. 14. Yet he lays beforeher the question whether or not this may nothave been lihe very thing for which, in providence,she had come to the throne.4. Appropriate preparation for solemn work.The queen says to Mordecai, " You and theJews fast; I and my maidens also will fast, forthree days and nights, so will I go in unto theking." Here was a most touching appeal.Mordecai could do nothing for her, and yet heand his friends could do much. They couldnot reach the King. They could reach theKingof Kings in whose hands the King'sheart was. Slie felt the need of help. Shetoo fasted. By their fasts and prayers, theymoved God to move the king, and so he did.Esther felt in doubt; I may perish, she said,but she was resolved : I ivill perish. Better toperish in a good service, than to live and rememberthat we have neglected duty.Esther succeeded. She entered the king'spalace, robed as a queen. Her heart throbbed,she had not been called ; but she was accepted.The golden rod in the king's hand is exten ded^—not to strike, bufc to pardon and to accept, andto grant request, whatever that request maybe, even to the half of the kingdom.One closing meditation. Xerxes was cruelin his power. He might have killed thisqueen for daring to come before him, as hehad divorced the former for refusing to come.How unlike Christ, our King, into whose presencenot only queen, but beggar may confidentlycome, assured that, " whosoever eomethunto me, I will in no wise cast out."THE PEIMARY LESSON.By Grace Hamilton George.The whole story of Eather must be broughtout in order to teach the verses which constitutethe lesson proper. When the class is familiarwith the story, an interesting and profitablehour may be spent in studying the variouscharacters. A favorite plan for c:intrastingthe good and evil is to draw outlines on theblackboard; one to represent each character.Then as the prominent traits of each one arebrought out in the lesson study, write in theheart outline : thus in today's lesson we mightbave three hearts, Esther, Mordecai and Hamanbeing prominent characters.In the first we find strength of purpose, de_the life. We would not like to have our heartslaid open to the eyes of men. We forget thatour actions show to all about us the kind ofhearts we have. We forget that God can seewhat is in our hearts as plainly as we see theseon tbe blackboard. We have in the lessonproper ;1st. Esther's opportunity. The work was tobe done : she was given the choice, whetheror not she would undertakeifc. Mordecai suggestsa question to her mind. "Who knowethwhether thou art come to the kingdom for sucha time as this."2d. The struggle It was a serious questionto the queen. It was not settled withouta tremor. On the one hand there was thecruel heart of the king ; the law of the courtthat those who entered unbidden should die ;the fatal decree that the Jews should perish.On the other hand there was the King's lovefor her. The golden sceptre, the promises ofGod. Should she risk her life against suchodds.3d. Esther's resolution. " So will I go inunto the King, which is not according to thelaw, and if I perish, I perish"—a decisionworthy of a queen. Many have passed throughstruggles as great, and formed resolutions asheroic, and the world knows nothing about it.But the King knows and all honor shall begiven his faithful ones when He cometh.4th. Aids to the accomplishment of her purpose.Esther did not rush impetuously intothe presence of the king. She summoned allwithin her power to aid her in reaching thedesired end. Her strongest hope lay in prayer.She prayed for herself : her friends prayed forher. She went forward strong in the confidencethat the hearer of prayer would give hersuccess. Her second aid was her pereonal appearance.This she used to the best advantage.Her third stronghold was her knowledgeof the king : his likes and dislikes. Shehad studied her husband and understood hiswhims. His love for her ; his admiration forthe beautiful ; his enjoyment of the preparedbanquet, served her purpose well.5th. The result-. Such a cause, undertakenin such a spirit, aided by earnest prayers, couldhave but one result. When we know that weare doing God's will, in God's way, supportedby God's people, we know too that we will attainGod's result.PRAYERMEETING TOPIC.In nothing',else, as sufBcient, should we hope. Wemust not hope in ourselves. Neither must we hope inour fellowmen. "Thus saith the Lord ; cursed bethe man that trusteth in man, and maketh fleshhisarm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord." Jer.17 :5. We should hope in God beoause of what he is;because ot his power, his holiness, his justice, hisgoodness, his love, his truth, his wisdom. There isno God like unto him. He is the one supreme beingin the universe. We should trust him because ofwhat he has done for his people. How God's handhas wrought for them all through their history ! Howmuch did he tor his ancient people ? What he hasdone is an indioatiofi of what be will yet do for thosewho bope in him. And we should hope in God becauseof his promises. "In his word do I hope."God's promises are many and great. He changethnot, cannot lie, repenteth not.But only Ood's people can truly hope in him. Thewicked otten have hope, if not always, some at least,of the wicked have more or less hope tor divine favor.And the wicked do enjoy favor from God. The rainfalleth on unjust as well a^, just. The church is asource of great benefit even to the unsaved. ButGod's blessing in its fullness is for his own child.The blessings of salvation come only to the spiritualIsrael. As the manna feU about the tents of Israelonly, so God's higher favor comes to his people alone,and God's people are bis chosen, called, redeemed,regenerated, believing, penitent, praying, obedient,children.The hope of God's people should not be temporary,is not temporary, but is per'manent. The believer isto hope all through his lite; most men lose hope.The believer in all ages of the world is to continue tohope in QtrA. The church must never lose her hope ;should cling to this hope forever. And why not ? Thegrounds for this hope are- permanent. God does notchange. His promises stand. Why should our soulsbe discouraged ? Let us hope on. " Let Israel hopein the Lord from henceforth and torever."Sow may ive obtain sure hope ? This is the importantquestion for the individual, and for the church.The answer is implied somewhat in the foregoing. IfGod's people only can have true hope, we mnstendeavor to become God's people, or endeavor to ascertainif we are his people. If our hope should bein God, then we ean get it by coming into right relationsto him, and by studying his character p.nd word.Though man cannot come to God without God's aid,yet man has his own work to do in realizing theChristian's hope. Let us believe on Christ; andyield to God, yield honestly and fuJly ; repent of allsin; and pray for divine favor. Let us study God'aWord, bis nature, and his promises. Let us reflect onthe history of his people, and specially on Calvary ; andwe shall secure true hope, and our hope will grow on.T. P. S. C. E.Authorized subject for the week beginning March5,1893. The Lord's Day. How shall we keep it?Neh. 13 :22 ; Matt. 12 : 8-13.Topics for Remarks.1. The day shonld be hailed as the best day of theRev. T. H. Acheson.Prayermeeting topic for Wednesday, March 8,1893, week—a day of delight to the soul. Isa. 58 ;13, m. o.Hope in God. "Let Israel bope in the Lord from 2. We should abstain trom all worldly employmentsand enjoyments on the Lord's Day. Neh. 13 :henceforth and forever;'' Ps. 131 :3.1. Our hope should be in God.19 ; Isa. 58 :13. 1. c.3. Only God's people can hope in him.3. The day ahould be devoted to the worship o3. Their hope should continue forever.God. Isa. 66 :23 ; Acts 16 :13; Lev. 23: 3.4. How may we obtain sure hope ?4. Works of necessity and mercy may be performedParallel passages : 1 Cor. 13 :13 ; 15 :19, Rom. 8on:the Lord's Day. Matt. 12 : 1-13. Luke 13: 16.24-25. 1 Pet. 1 :18. Lam. 3 : 26. Job 8 :13. Prov.A CHRISTLAN FIRST.14 : 32. Jer. 17: 7. 1 Thes. 5 : 8. Eph. 2 : 12. Ps.votion, unselfishness, etc. In the second, trust,119 :166. Gen. 49 :18. Joel 3 :16. Prov. 10 : 28. " For myself, I am first a Christian, afterwards afaith, loyalty. In the third, jealousy, envy.Suitable psalms: 131 ; 130 : 5-8; 78 : 5-8 ; 42 : 8- white-ribboner, for movements come and movementsdeceit, murder. In this way is brought outgo, but the church of Christ goes on forever."—J^rancesK11 ; 62 : 5 8; 146 : 5-8.the truth that sin in the heart shows itself in The believer and the church should hope in God.Willard.