RUTH AND NAOMI. THE GOLDEN TEXT. Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land. And a certain man of Beth-lehem-judah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons. And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Beth-lehem-judah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there. And Elimelech Naomi's husband died; and she was left, and her two sons. And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth and they dwelled there about ten years. And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband. Then she arose with her daughters in law, that she might return from the country of Moab for she had heard in the country of Moab how that the Lord had visited his people in giving them bread. Wherefore she went forth out of the place where she was, and her two daughters in law with her; and they went on the way to return unto the land of Judah. And Naomi said unto her two daughters in law, Go, return each to her mother's house: the Lord deal kindly with you, as ye have dealt with the dead, and with me. The Lord grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of husband. Then she kissed them; and they lifted up their voice, and wept. And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me. When she saw that she was stedfastly minded to go with her, then she left speaking unto her. So they two went until they came to Beth-lehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Beth-lehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi ? And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi, call me Mara for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the Lord hath brought me home again empty why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Beth-lehem in the "Thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."-Ruth i. 16. Subject.-"Ruth and Naomi."-Ruth i. 1-9; 16-22. OUTLINE LESSON. We are all like both Orpah and Ruth in five things: 1. They were both heathen, outside God's covenant. How does Paul describe us all by nature? Eph. ii. 12. 2. Yet both were connected with God's people—had married Israelites. And we have an outward connection too (Christian country, church, school, &c.) 3. Their connection by marriage was not enough; the time came when each had to decide for herself whether she would belong to Moab or Israel. So with us each one responsible-must make choice. 4. They both at first intended to go with Naomi, ver. 7, 10. We all intend to be God's people, some day. 5. They were both sad at the prospect of being separated from Naomi, ver. 9, 14. Who is not distressed at the idea of being cut off from God's people? But a decisive moment came; Orpah went one way, Ruth another. Now, which are we like? Do you say, "True, I have not decided for Christ; but then I have not decided against Him"? But no decision against Him is needed. Orpah had not to go back; they were still in Moab; the question was, Would she go out? You have only to stay as you are-that is deciding against Christ. Perhaps you are very sorry about your state, and wish to join God's people. So did Orpah: was that enough? Will even "weeping" for your sins save you? See Prov. xxviii. 13—“Whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." But perhaps you are a Naomi, a true Israelite, a servant of God. Do not dissuade others from joining you, as she did (though she meant it kindly). Draw them to you; let your God be theirs; say, "Come with us, and we will do thee good." FOR HOME STUDY. DECISION FOR GOD: What comes of indecision-Gen. xlix. 4; Jas. i. 6-8; Rev. iii. 15, 16. Exhortations to decision-Josh. xxiv. 14, 15; 1 Kings xviii. 21. When must we decide ?-2 Cor. vi. 2. Contrast Acts xxiv. 25. What will deciding. for God bring us? Perhaps affliction first, like Moses, Heb. xi. 25; but, like him, the reward afterwards, ver. 26. The great motive to decide for God-Rom. xii. 1; 1 Cor. vi. 20; 2 Cor. v. 14. THE RIGHT DECISION. WHEN a young man made an open profession of the Gospel, his father, not a little offended, gave him this sage advice: "James, you should first get yourself established in a good trade, and then think of and determine about religion. "Father," replied he, "Christ advises me very how money was wanted to send the good news out to the heathen, and as I had no money of my own I earned this by collecting rain water and selling it to washerwomen for a halfpenny a bucket; that is how I got the money, sir." "My dear child," said the clergyman, "I am very thankful that your love to your Saviour has led you to work so long and patiently for Him; now I shall gladly put down your name as a missionary subscriber." "Oh! no, sir, please not my name." "Why not, Mary?" "Please, sir, I would rather no one knew but Him; I should like it to be put down as 'Rain from heaven.'" THE LANTERN. OUT in the darkness, and over the snow, My word she obeys, she has nothing to fear; Dear little child, there's a journey for you Fear not the darkness, but follow your Guide, This light is the Bible, the Word of the Lord, It shines in the heart where its precepts are stored; And what a glad End, when life's journey is done, |