4. It should be read as a whole, in continuous sections, a book at a time. The best view of Washington is from the dome of the capitol; of Boston, from Bunker Hill monument; so we need to take a landscape view of Bible truth.

5. It should be read distinctly, and carefully, and reverently, as God's message. When a Japanese officer sees the signature of the Mikado, he falls prostrate before it. We should treat with reverence a message from our King.

6. It should be read with careful study and explanation, to give the sense, and not to interject a meaning into it. We need, not the opinions of men, but the mind of the Spirit.

An English Teacher's Notes on the Lessons.

BY SARAH GERALDINA STOCK.

THIS is a lesson on the Bible. We shall find the Bible possessed by the Jews at the time of which this passage speaks, or at least the first five books of it, mentioned ten times in the fifteen verses, four times as the "book," or "book of the law," five times as the "law," and once as the "words." It is not, however, the Bible in its authorship, its character, or its claims, that is the subject of the passage, but the Bible in its use; and the lesson we are to learn from it is what to do with the Bible.

The returned Jewish exiles who had left their homes in the foreign land, and come back to settle in their own country, in spite of its desolation and degradation from its former position, had undergone a long period of affliction and reproach from the enemies who surrounded them. Until the coming of Nehemiah, Jerusalem had lain waste. But now the work begun in that quiet chamber in "Shushan the palace," the work begun in prayer and carried on with prayer, was completed, and in the seventh month the people gathered together as usual to keep the feast of that month on a larger and more imposing scale than they had previously done. And the chief feature of this gathering as related in the passage was the use of the Book.

A series of graphic pictures may be drawn from the passage-the large concourse by the "water gates," the worship, the attention, the weeping, the comforting; then the festivities at home (ver. 12); the second assembly; the crowds going forth to the Mount of Olives, coming back laden with green boughs; and, woven in with these, the teacher will find a sevenfold pattern to set before the class. 1. The Jews blessed God for the Book. This was because they recognized whence they got it. We buy our Bibles cheap, or we get them given to us, and know there are plenty more to be had. But what if the Bible had never been written? We might have had histories and essays and tales and poems; but without the inspiration of God there could have been no book of God, no sure word from him. Those Bibles in the hands of the class are God's gift to each one. Has God been thanked for them? When Ezra opened the book and all the people stood up and said "Amen," with uplifted hands to his words of praise, and then worshiped

God with their faces to the ground, the sight and the sound must have been truly imposing. But God looks at the heart. He is as well pleased with the true and earnest thanks of the Sunday scholar as with the grand chorus of praise. If each one thanked God for the book, there would be a greater blessing on it.

2. They read it. From morning to midday the reading went on, the Levites probably taking it by turn; and so the next day and during the seven days of the Feast of Tabernacles. Verse 18. If you make a valuable present to a friend, you do not want empty thanks for it; you want to see it used, not put away and forgotten. The Bibles that never come out except on Sundays or when the lesson has to be looked up, can their owners really care much about them?

3. They explained it. It is supposed that the Jews, who since the captivity spoke a mixed language, their own and that of their conquerors blended into one, were not familiar with the original Hebrew, in which the law was written, and needed, therefore, to have it interpreted by those who were more learned. Our classes have the Bible in their own tongue, yet many of the expressions are strange to them, many of its references to history, geography, ancient custom, etc., are unintelligible without explanation. The teacher is endeavoring to do what Ezra and the Levites did, to give the sense, and make the reading plain and easy.

4. They listened attentively to it. In such a large assembly, gathered together in the open air, there might be much to attract the roving eye, and we know very well that when the eye is wandering the ear is not taking in much. But the Jews had come to hear; and instead of looking about them, and observing and commenting upon their neighbors, "the ears of all the people were attentive unto the book of the law." What a difference it would

make could this be said of the class!

5. They wept over what they heard. The law that was read contained the record of God's mercies to them as a nation and of their own unfaithfulness. It showed them how they had sinned. It was as a looking-glass giving a true picture of themselves. The Bible does this now for every one of us. It would be a happy thing if each one in the class were to look into this mirror and read his own heart and life in it. It would cause mourning indeed. But let us remind our classes of the Lord's word: "Blessed are ye that weep now: for ye shall laugh." Luke vi, 21. To discover that you are a lost sinner may seem very wretched, but it is the beginning of true joy. So it was with the Jews.

6. They rejoiced that they had understood the words. There were comfort and hope for them as well as condemnation in the book of the law. Such promises as those in Deut. 30, and at the end of the Song of Moses (Deut. 32. 43), might well cause rejoicing. The Bible is the book of good news. But the reason so few rejoice in it is because

Hints for the Teachers' Meeting and the Class. Describe the walls of Jerusalem, as rebuilt by Nehemiah....Draw a map of Jerusalem, and show the "water-gate," where the events of the lesson took place....The lesson may be presented as in the Analytical and Biblical Outline. "An Old Testament Sunday-school." Note 1.) That it was held on Sunday, "the first day of the seventh month; " 2.) That all the people were included in it, either as teachers or scholars: 3.) Its text-book was the Bible; 4.) Its superintendent was Ezra, an earnest worshiper, a godly man, and a thorough Bible student. Notice his peculiar fitness for the place; 5.) Its teachers were godly men and Bible scholars; 6.) Its exercises, taken from the story; 7.) Its aim, to give clear understanding of God's word; 8.) Its results, conviction of sin, and the joy of acceptance with God....See in the explanatory notes some good illustrations of incidents connected with the Bible.

Introduction. Recall last lesson: Nehemiah's love for his country, his desire to work for the Lord, and his faith that God would make a way for him to work. Tell that the king's heart was opened to Nehemiah's request, and that when he went to Jerusalem, the hearts of the people were opened, so that they were willing to work with him. Explain why a wall was needed around the city, and tell how wicked people tried to hinder the Jews from building it; show that God always helps those who are working for him. Tell how the faithful Jews worked, so that in fifty-two days the wall was finished, and the wicked men saw that it was God's work, and that they could not hinder it.

THE GREAT MEETING.

Tell that Nehemiah called a great meeting before he went back to Persia, to hear the law of God read. Ask what the law of God is, and hold up Bible to show where we may find it. Show picture of a roll, such as was used in that day, or, still better, have imitation of such a roll for children to see. Speak of the advantage we have, in each being permitted to have a Bible of our own. Tell why there were so few copies of the law in those days, and read God's command to the people to

EXPLANATION-This design is intended as an application of the lesson after its review, or study. Ask a few leading questions, such as these: "Of what value is God's law to me?" "Why does not every body value it alike?" "Why is it that some care for it not at all?" An answer to these questions is made by writing the name of Christ in the heart. With Christ in the heart, God's word is a lamp that lights our path to heaven. Without Christ in the heart, the Bible is only a book unheeded. It will be of no avail, when we appear before the judgment-seat of God, to make excuse that we knew not the law. It is our duty to study it, and understand it.

GOD'S WORD IS OUR LAW.

INSTRUCTOR,

GUIDE,
HELPER,
TEACHER.

Lesson Word-Pictures.

What did you say? A great conference in Jerusalem? Yes, notice the people thronging the street before the water-gate. What a vast concourse of men, women, fathers, mothers, children, all pouring into the space

before the water-gate! There is Ezra, an older man by thirteen years than when he came to Jerusalem's broken walls, but the same upright, reverent, godly leader. You can see him over in that "pulpit of wood," facing the multitude, while on either side are grouped men honored in Israel. Ezra is opening the precious book of the law of Moses. He has turned back the sacred scroll, and the people are rising. What a solemn invocation of the great Jehovah! And all over the assembly, what a deep, impressive response, "Amen, Amen," the people raising their hands to

heaven! And now, with faces prostrated in humility, they worship God. Such a serious, heart-searching hour, a heart-searching even for hour after hour, Ezra's assistants lighting up the meaning of the Word, the people solemnly listening. They begin to weep. All over the assembly there is a breaking into sobs. No, no, this day is for joy. Joy is holy. And dismissed with this assurance, we watch the people breaking up and separating to their homes, there to remember the poor, and there to celebrate God's goodness in great and even holy joy.

[Commit to memory

Esther 4. 10-17, and 5. 1-3. verses 1-3.] 10 Again Es'ther spake unto Ha/tach, and gave him commandment unto Mor'de-cai;

EST

CARE

11 All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not

SHIELDED called, there is one law of his to put

him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden scepter, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days.

12 And they told to Mor'de-cai Es/ther's words. 13 Then Mor'de-cai commanded to answer Es'ther, Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the king's house, more than all the Jews.

14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed; and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

[March 14.

15 Then Es'ther bade them return Mor'de-cai this answer,

16 Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shu'shan, and fast ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the king, which is not according to the law; and if I perish, I perish.

17 So Mor'de-cai went his way, and did according to all that Es'ther had commanded him.

1 Now it came to pass on the third day, that Esther put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the king's house, over against the king's house: and the king sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house.

2 And it was so, when the king saw Es'ther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favor in his sight: and the king held out to Es'ther the golden scepter that was in his hand. So Es'ther drew near, and touched the top of the scepter.

8 Then said the king unto her, What wilt thou, queen Es'ther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the kingdom.

In chronological order this lesson belongs to a period about thirty years earlier than the last, and to the reign of the Persian king Xerxes, the predecessor of Artaxerxes. Xerxes, called in the Bible Ahasuerus, after his disastrous war with the Greeks, gave himself up to the pleasures of his palace. A nobleman named Haman gained great influence over him, and secured an edict ordering the utter destruction of the Jews in the capital and throughout the kingdom. The reason given

for this cruel decree was the hate of Haman toward one Jew, Mordecai, who had refused to show him honor. But we can well believe that in the Jewish traits of that time were the same elements which have in every age and in every land made the Jews objects of persecution, so that Haman was not alone in his enmity. It was a dark day for the chosen people, and sounds of wailing arose around the palace wall. There were two facts, however, of which Haman was ignorant. One was that

in the palace was a queen of that Jewish race, Esther the beautiful; the other, that on the throne of high heaven sat One who had chosen this despised race to play an important part in earth's history, and man cannot thwart God's plan. Queen Esther heard of the impending destruction of her kinsmen. In the palace, and the favorite of the king, she was safe if she would only conceal her relationship with the condemned people. But to her they were the people of God, and she was prouder of her honor as a daughter of Abraham,

Explanatory and

Verse 10. Again Esther. She was the descendant of Jewish exiles, living in Persia, though long after the restoration by Cyrus. Her Jewish name was Hadassah, myrtle;" her Persian name Esther, "star." She was not only surpassingly beautiful in appearance, but lovely in character, and won friends in every condition of life. Out of a multitude of maidens she was chosen as one of the wives of King Ahasuerus (Xerxes), and was called "queen," though it is doubtful whether that was her true rank in the court. In the palace she retained her affection for her cousin and foster-father, Mordecai, and obeyed his counsels. Hatach. The name of the eunuch or attendant who waited upon Esther, and through whom she was able to communicate with Mordecai, who was not permitted to enter the part of the palace where the women lived. Gave him commandment. A message to Mordecai, in answer to the appeal which Mordecai had sent, for her to go to the king and entreat for the lives of her people. Mordecai. A Benjamite, descended from Kish the father of Saul, who lived at Shushan or Susa, and was connected with the court. After the fall of Haman, he became prime-minister. He has been identified with a certain Matacas, a eunuch of great influence during the later years of Xerxes.

Its

11. The king's servants. The officers of the court. People of the king's provinces. The entire population of the empire. Do know. The law of which she speaks was one widely known, and is referred to by various secular historians, that no person was permitted to come unbidden into the presence of the king of Persia. Unto the king. Xerxes, called in this book Ahasuerus, the despot who invaded Greece with five millions of men, and returned with scarcely as many thousands. He was fond of pleasure and of show, but had no capacity for government, and was utterly selfish and unprincipled. His character in secular history fully matches the account in this book. Into the inner court. The palace of Xerxes at Persepolis, which was undoubtedly of the same general order with that at Susa, has been discovered. ground-plan was of four great rooms, of which the one in the rear was "the inner court," where the king sat for the transaction of business. There is one law of his. Rev. Ver., "one law for him," that is, for the one who enters unbidden. To put him to death. The kings of Israel often appeared in public, and were accessible to their subjects; but those of Media and Persia were kept in seclusion and surrounded with mystery, as if lifted above humanity. Only the highest nobles ever saw the face of the monarch. So deep was this seclusion that an impostor personated Smerdis, the son of Cyrus, and reigned in his name six months before the fraud was discovered. The golden scepter. In all the sculptures the king of Persia is represented as holding a slender rod, in some reliefs painted red to represent gold, and in length about equal to his own height. These thirty days. Perhaps indicating that the king had grown indifferent to her, and might refuse to see her if she sent a request for admission to his presence. (1) Our King welcomes all, and inclines his ear toward the weakest of his people.

12, 13. They told to Mordecai. Perhaps the message which Esther gave to Hatach was by him intrusted to some friend of Mordecai. Then Mordecai. The grief and alarm of Mordecai at the edict of the king was not for himself, but for his people, whom he regarded as God's own, and the inheritors of the Covenant. Think not with thyself. Esther, having kept her nationality a secret, might selfishly hope to escape the general slaughter. But Mordecai reminded her that she belonged to the condemned race, and some jealous rival might therefore obtain her destruction.

14. For if thou. Mordecai, with the insight of faith, saw God's hand in Esther's opportunity, and desired her to go boldly into the presence of the king

and heiress of the covenant, than as queen of Persia. At the suggestion of Mordecai. whose faith shone like a star in the darkuess, she resolved to go in boldly to the king, even at the imminent risk of death, and avow herself one of the people whose destruction had been decreed, and plead for their lives. Her plan was successful, her people were saved, their foe perished amid the wreck of his plot, and the name of Queen Esther gained an everlasting honor.

Practical Notes.

6.

and plead for the lives of her people. At this time. The time for which God had raised her up, and the time when her services were in deepest need. (2) Every life has opportunities which may be employed to aid God's cause. Enlargement. Literally, breathing room," freedom from restraint. Arise to the Jews. Mark the magnificent faith of this man, condemned to death! He has no doubt that in some way God will intervene to save his people, and is only concerned that Esther shall enjoy the privilege of delivering them. (3) Faith trusts in God under a dark heaven. From another place. (4) The failure of one agent will not thwart the great purposes of God. Thou and thy father's house. He believed that one who failed to measure up to such a sublime opportunity could not remain unpunished. (5) Neglect is as great a crime as wrong-doing. (6) The selfish life is sure to defeat its own purposes. And who knoweth. Mordecai perceived that each link in the chain of circumstances by which the Jewish maiden became a queen was forged by an almighty hand for the accomplishment of an all-wise purpose. What was true of Esther is true of each and every person. (7) Every well-lived life works out some divine plan. Such a time as this. The greatest hour in Esther's life, the hour for which she was born, was not that when the crown-royal was placed upon her brow, but that hour when she stood forth to save others. (8) Success in life is not in gaining but in blessing.

15, 16. Esther bade them. It may be that her faith needed not this stirring exhortation from Mordecai; or it may be that this appeal aroused her to her noble deed of self-devotion. Gather together all the Jews. The Jews have always shown a fondness for city-life, and were probably quite numerous in the capital, since the Persian kings had shown them special favors. Shushan, One of the four capitals of the Persian empire, situated in the province of Elam, north of the Persian Gulf. It is supposed to have been founded as early as the time of Abraham; was the principal residence of Xerxes; and is now a mass of ruins, called Sus. Fast ye for me. Though prayer is not mentioned, yet it undoubtedly accompanied the fasting, and was the most important part of the service. Three days. This may mean, as in other places of Scripture, not three whole days, but until the third day, that is, for a day and a half. I also and my maidens. The reference to her maidens is suggestive of the influence which Esther obtained over all around her-king, eunuchs, and attendants. Will fast likewise. This shows that she relied more upon the power of God than upon the charms of her person, which might suffer from the fast. So will I go in. In her words note, 1.) Decision; 2.) Patriotism; 3.) Courage; 4.) Self-sacrifice; 5.) Faith. (9) Teacher, impress this noble example upon your class! Not ac cording to the law. This was one of the instances when the law of man conflicts with the law of God. Our duty is then to obey the higher law, and abide by the consequences without a murmur. If I perish, I perish. The utterance, not of despair, but of resignstion. Hers was a dangerous mission, to enter into the presence of the king uninvited, to request the rescinding of a law which according to Persian custom was unalterable, to confess herself a member of a despised and condemned people, and to oppose a powerful favorite.

17. So Mordecai went his way. He could easily send word to the Jews in Shushan, for, according to Oriental usage, their homes were all in one quarter of the city. Did according. The service of prayer probably took place in some place of meeting, which about this time began to be known as a synagogue, or assembly for worship.

1. On the third day. ligious exercises was over. That her charms might be

After the fast with its rePut on her royal apparel. heightened by every possible

aid, and the king might immediately look upon her with favor. Stood in the inner court. In her see the picture of a soul in the relation of prayer toward One who is a more just and gracious King than was the Persian despot. Upon his royal throne. Not a lofty seat, but a chair having a footstool in front. It was either made of gold or covered with it, and was kept sacred for the king's use. Over against the gate. There was great square court, with rooms on each side, and beyond it the throne-room, from which the king could see all who approached.

a

QUESTIONS FOR SENIOR STUDENTS.

1. The Message of Faith, v. 10-14, chap. 4.
Where was the scene of this story?
What had happened to occasion the message of
Esther to Mordecai?

What light is thrown on the character of the Persian monarchy by this lesson? 1. The kind of monarchy ? 2. Woman's position in it?

Is Esther's message a refusal to go to the king? What does it show as to her state of mind? What effect had Mordecai's message of faith to her? 2. The Resolve of Faith, v. 15-17, chap. 4.

In what beautiful words does our Golden Text show this resolve?

Who did Esther feel were as important in the service she was to perform as she was?

What effect would this united prayer have upon the people themselves?

VOL. XVIII.-3*

which thrust back the hands of the guards who stood ready to arrest and slay every intruder. (10) There are no barriers in the way of our approach to the King of kings. Touched the top. As a mute expression of gratitude for the king's kindness in sparing her life.

3. What is thy request? She showed tact in not at once presenting her petition, but in preparing the way by the banquets. Still, there was the request in the background, as the king well knew. To the half of the kingdom. We read in Herodotus that Xerxes once promised to grant to a favorite wife any petition which she would proffer, without even this limitation. Esther's prayers were answered, she saved her people, and gained for herself a deserved renown.

In the New Testament what instance of united prayer delivering from great peril ?

How is the doctrine of faith and works as taught by James shown here?

3. The Power of Faith, v. 1-3, chap. 5.

What is the picture presented by these verses?

What must be the result of this presence of Esther, unsummoned, in the inner court?

Who must we believe was present, though unseen, besides Esther, the court, and the king?

What special instance is cited by the apostle James of the power of the prayer of faith?

Practical Teachings.

The court of the earthly king was unapproachable to Esther unless called. The court of the heavenly King is open to all.

The place one occupies in the world is to be used for furthering God's work. Complete submission to God's will won the day for Esther.

How does all this apply to you?

QUESTIONS FOR INTERMEDIATE SCHOLARS. 1. The Message of Faith, v. 10-14, chap. 4. To whom did Esther send a message?

Of what law of the palace did she remind Mordecai? What exception was there to this law?

Why did Esther hesitate to enter the palace? What message of rebuke did Mordecai send to the queen!

What would follow her refusal to see the king?
What question did Mordecai ask?

2. The Resolve of Faith, v. 15-17, chap. 4.
What request did Esther make of Mordecai?
What did she procure for herself and maidens ?
What was her resolve?

What attention did Mordecai pay to her request?
3. The Power of Faith, v. 1-3, chap. 5.
How long did Esther fast?
Whose presence did she seek?
What preparation did she make ?
Where did she find the king?

What sign of favor did the king show her?
What did Esther venture to do?

What was the king's question?
What was the king's promise?

What other king made a like promise? Mark 6. 23.

Teachings of the Lesson.

Where, in this lesson, are we taught-1. Faith's test? 2. Faith's sacrifice? 3. Faith's reward?

QUESTIONS FOR YOUNGER SCHOLARS. What cruel law was made by the king of Persia? That all the Jews in his kingdom be put to death on a certain day.

What did the Jews do when they heard it? They mourned in sackcloth and ashes.

Who was the king's queen? Esther, a Jewess, Did the king know she was a Jewess! No. Who sent a copy of the king's law to Esther? Mordecai, her cousin.

What did he want her to do? To ask the king to spare the lives of her people.

What was Esther's reply? That she might lose her own life in so doing.