DEAR YOUNG FRIENDS,—
The number of papers received during March has been a real cheer, not only to Cousin Edith, but to your true and long-tried friend, the Editor of “THE SPRINGING WELL,” who, amidst his many engagements, finds or makes time to take a deep and kindly interest in your Bible study.
Question 1, asking for a verse from the Book of Joshua which proves that before the call of Abraham, his father and family worshipped idols, has been correctly answered by ALL who have sent papers (Josh. 24:22And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods. (Joshua 24:2)): and it is encouraging to find that as the word idol or idols is not used in the passage quoted, some care has been taken by the members of our Class to read between the lines, and so grasp its real meaning. “Other gods” could only be idols, not the One Living and True God, who had been pleased to make Himself known to His people Israel in such words as “Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God is one LORD” (Deut. 6:22That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged. (Deuteronomy 6:2)).
Question 2— “Was the prayer of Abraham’s servant the first of which we read in Genesis? If not, give references to the first and last prayers recorded in Scripture”—does not seem to have been at all clearly understood, an answer, in some cases, not having been even attempted. Was it so very difficult, dear ones? Most who have answered it seem agreed in thinking it the first of which we read. Shall we turn for a moment to Gen. 18, verses 20 to 32?
There we find a man (Abraham) who in the holy calm of communion with God poured forth his heart’s desire, and made request (in a prayer of intercession) for the guilty cities of the plain. See also Gen, 17:18,