Apostles had literally complied with the law of self-denial. Theirs was no idle boast. 29-30. Nor should any such go unrewarded. See the richness of the reward, the goodness of God! An hundredfold. Not a hundred houses, mothers, etc.; but a nobleness and richness of nature, of mind and heart, of personal worth, an hundred times greater ihan abundance of gold and silver. Any man might be a millionaire, and still mean-spirited, narrow-minded, unloving, dishonest. But a generous nature-18 it not God's greatest handiwork? Such a being can endure persecutions, if need be. What he truly has, cannot be taken from him. And eternal life is already begun in him. 31. First shall be last, etc. Judas, for example. Last shall be first-the poor disciples, who became princes in the everlasting Kingdom of Christ, whose praise is in all the earth and heaven. MORMON wagons took sunflowers along with them on their way to Utah, and Iowa farmers have a hard time fighting the pest. A single Scotch thistle planted in Victoria-the Scotchmen there had a congratulatory dinner over it twenty yeare ago-has covered tens of thousands of acres and been the destruction of farms. The scattered grain emptied from the bags of German troopships in the Revolution knocked millions off of the value of our grain crop for all time to come by bringing the Hessian fly. A careless man set out a French grape cutting in California a few years ago with phylloxera on it, and the pe t is now sprinkled along the Pacific Coast, creeping inland. Its ravages in France have cost $400,000,000. A man with a taste for peppery greens planted water cress in New Zealand, and the little plant has spread so that the local Legislature has to appropriate a round sum yearly to improve the water cress out of existance and the water courses. A kindly misguided man brought over to New York a basketful of sparrows, not twenty years ago, and the little wretches have already driven half our song into the woods. In South Australia the same thing was done, and the birds are clearing out the fruit crop. They will birds be here some day. Natural selection is oc asionally wiser in finding a place for men and animals than men. MANNERS. I have seen good manners defined as "the art of making those around us easy." Good manners do not consist merely in a conformation to the laws of etiquette; if they did a clown might be a perfect gentlen an and still be a clown. Respect for God, for yourself, and for your fellow man is indispensable to good manners. As a result of this respect your language must be pure and free from all taint of untruth, your bearing toward fellow man kind and considerare, your Lo matter what his station in life; and none of your actions should be such as to bring reproach upon yourself. The old maxim reads, "manners make the man;" but we think man makes the manners. Let us say to the person who is illtempered, profane, selfish, or low minded, that just as sure as "murder will out so sure your true condition will be discovered, though you may for a time deceive by your a-sured gentility. Do not affect to be what you are not, this is despicable in any one. If you wish to appear well, be natural; but take care that you work your thoughts and desires up to a proper degree of excellence. If I were advising one as to how he might become mannerly, I should say: first study your own character and strive to strengthen it where it is weak, and then it will be time for you to study the laws of social etiquette. A man's conversation is the glass through which we are able to see his mind, therefore he should avoid all coarse expressions and slang. I have seen a young lady who used slang compared to the beautiful young woman in that ancient fairy tale, from whose mouth, whenever she opened it, dropped toads and frogs. Had we known her we should probably have judged that her head was occupied by a miniature frog pond.—Our Home. That man cannot be upright before God, who is unjust in his dealings with men. Verse 32. Whither was Jesus going? Why were His followers amazed? To whom did He tell what was to happen? 33-34. Of what did He forewarn them again? Were His words fulfilled in every particular? 35-37. What request did James and John make? By whose mouth did they make it? (see Matt. 20: 20). 38-40. Did they know what was included in their request? What is meant by cup and baptism? Of what cup did James drink? GOLDEN TEXT. "The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." vs. 45. INSTRUCTION. Verses 32-34. Going up to Jerusalem; to be crucified. Amazed, because He was going to meet death. What things should happen? they are foretold in verses 33 and 34; and took place ten or twelve days after. 35-40. Whatsoever desire; an ambitious request. On Thy right hand-the place of honor. The cup-the baptism: the sufferings and trials of Christ. Ye shall-James was the first one of the twelve that was put to death (Acts 12: 2). For whom it is prepared-on the condition of their fidelity and labors. 41-45. Displeased; ambition causes ill-will, and is a troubler. Exercise lordship-domineer, tyrannize. Not so among you-earthly greatness and power is no pattern of true Christian greatness. Minister -servant. Servant-bondm QUESTIONS. CATECHISM. Ques. 29: Why is the Son of God called Jesus, that is a Saviour? Ans. Because He saveth us, and delivereth us from our sins; and likewise, because we ought not to seek, neither can we find salvation in any other. LESSON HYMN.—“ Must Jesus bear the Cross alone ?" vant. 45. Who was lowliest of all? Who is greatest of all? For what did He give His life? Ought we to help others? Are we doing so? LESSON III. 32. The time is at hand when the Master must go up to Jerusalem to of: fer Himself as a ransom for many, and He resolutely sets out on His journey. The people of Judea had often threatened His life before; now He would permit them to carry this threat into execution. At this the disciples were execution. At this the disciples were amazed and afraid. For the third time He now tells of His approaching sacrifice. 33-34. The Son of Man shall be de33-34. The Son shall be livered, etc. The Jews delivered Him out of malice, accused, persecuted and stigmatized Him; the Gentiles, out of ignorance, condemned and executed Him. Thus the whole race, in some sort, showed its hostility and impiety. Jesus foretold the manner of proceedings, going into minute particulars, and concluding with the assurance that on the third day He shall rise again. II. THE AMBITIOUS REQUEST. Vs. 35-40. In Matthew 20: 20 we learn that James and John made their request by the mouth of their mother, Salome. Being very closely related to their Virgin Mary, she may have felt that her sons should have the first claim to the honors of Christ's Kingdom. She was greatly mistaken as to the nature of His kingdom. Nearness to Christ then, meant danger and death; she thought of honor and advantage. A few weeks later she saw two other men on His right and left. Surely she could not wish James and John to occupy those positions on Calvary. To the honor of Salome be it said, she remained true to Jesus when He suffered on the cross. 36. What would ye? Grant us to sit, etc. Truly they knew not what they asked. It was not their lot to sit in ease and honor, but to be cast out and persecuted for the Master's sake. Can ye drink of the Lord's cup? Can ye lay down your lives, if need be, for the truth? Can ye endure a baptism of blood? They answered honestly, we can. This was the language of assurance; and it was no idle boast. James early underwent the baptism of blood, when he was beheaded with the sword. (Acts 12: 1.) John was a martyr in will, if not in act; for he was 66 on the isle of Patmos for the word of God." (See Revelation 1: 9) Jesus had foretold this: "Ye shall be baptized with my baptism. (V. 39). 40. It is not mine to give-not as a relationship. For whom it is prepared. personal favor, or because of earthly Exaltation on earth is often given as a mere caprice by one man to another; not so in the Spiritual Kingdom. Here all is according to fitness, and earnest labor. 41. The ten were displeased. Ambition is always a troubler. Self-seeking injures the Church. The spirit of rithe Kingdom of Christ. "Let the same valry is contrary to the best interests of mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." LESSON IV. SEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. BLIND BARTIMEUS.-MARK 10: 46-52. OUTLINE: Commit to memory verses 51-52. 48. And many charged him that he should hold his peace; but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. 49. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to { 46. And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples, and a great number of people, blind Bartimeus, the son of Timeus, sat by the highway side begging. 47. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Naza" him, What wilt thou that I should do unto 51. And Jesus answered and said unto reth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. 52. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And im mediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way. be called: and they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. 50. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. RY. Vs. 46-48. INSTRUCTION. GOLDEN TEXT: "The eyes of the blind shall be opened." Isaiah 35: 5. Ques. 30. Do such, then, believe in Jesus the only Saviour, who seek their salvation and happiness of saints, of themselves, or anywhere else? Ans. They do not; for though they boast of Him in words, yet in deeds they deny Jesus, CATECHISM. Verse 46. Near what city was Bartimeus? What ailed him? What was he doing? 47. What did he hear? What was his cry? What title did he give Jesus? Did he be lieve that Jesus was the Messiah or Saviour? Verse 46. Jericho, 15 miles north-east of Jerusalem. By the way side begging, as beggars often do in the east. 47. He heard, and faith came by hearing. Jesus of Nazareth, the name by which the people commonly called Him. Bartimeus gave Him this Messianic title, "Son of David;" thus he confessed Him as the Saviour. Have mercy, his earnest cry. 49. Called; Jesus answered the blind man's cry: "He calleth thee." 50. His garment, the loose, outer one. 51. What wilt thou? Jesus knew, but wanted the man to make his wishes known. An encouragement to pray. 52. Thy faith saved thee; because it led him to call on Jesus at the right time. Followed Jesus, out of gratitude. July 23, 1882. QUESTIONS. the only Deliverer and Saviour: for one of these two things must be true, that either Jesus is not a complete Saviour, or that they, who by a true faith receive this Saviour, must find in Him all things necessary to their salvation. 48. What did the people charge him to do? Did he obey them? 49. What did Jesus command? Does He call all the blind and poor? Of whom is Bartimeus a type? Is the sinner blind? Is ing Him? he poor? Of whom does he beg in vain ? 50. Did he obey the Divine call? To whom did he hasten? believe Jesus could give it? Was that strong 51. What did he say he wished? Did he faith? How was it rewarded? 52. What saved him? Does faith lead men to pray? Is prayer answered? What did Bartimeus do? Why? Are you follow LESSON HYMN; “Hark the glad sound, the Saviour comes," LESSON IV. July 23, 1882. as to rise, and come to Jesus. This be him first. Wby do men go to Jesus? any form or comeliness" in J sus! He would nave given them the light of truth. Seventh Sunday after Trinity. I. THE CRY. Vs. 46-48. Jericho was situated in the valley of the Jordan, opposite the point where Joshua crossed the river when he entered the holy land. It was about 15 miles northeast of Jerusalem. They came to Jericho; it was our Lord's only visit to the place, and we read of but one who availed himself of the privilege of ca ling for help-the well-known Bartimeus, blind, poor, and a beggar. Mark says the miracle was wrought as they departed from Jericho; Luke, as they came near. Literally translated, when they were near, either coming or going. There was an old and a new Jericho; as they would leave one, they would approach the other. Matthew informs us that there was another blind man with Bartimeus, (20: 29). Misery loves company. The other was silent, and hence Mark does not mention him. He, however, was healed because he was with the right company. 47. When he heard that it was Jesus, he at once cried for help, thus improving the present opportunity. He was told of Jesus of Nazareth; his faith recognized the Messiah in the form of the humble Prophet, and he cried: Thou Son of David-the common Jewish appellation of the expected Messiah. His one plea is mercy. Show Thy mercy, and I shall obtain all that I need. Thus a beggar has taught us how to pray; and his petition has been embodied in the Litany of the Church. 48. Perseverance in prayer is taught us by this cry of Bartimeus. I. THE CALL. Vs. 49-50. When man cries, God hears. Jesus stood still, and listened to the cry of the humble. Then He called him to His presence; but made use of His followers in so doing. He has commanded His people to call the world to Christ. And the message of every ministering servant to the sick and sinful is: Be of good comfort, rise; Jesus calleth thee. 50. The blind man must also do something before he could receive sight: he must believe and obey to such an extent 66 52. Our Lord often attributed the healing power to faith: thy faith_hath made thee whole. Faith makes man a willing recipient of salvation; unbelief repels God's gifts. Gratitude for his great deliverance made Bartimeus follow Jesus. And when "the eyes of our understanding are opened," we follow without a command. The soul finds delight in being with Christ. A QUEER SUPERINTENDENT. Rev. Mr. Roberts, the pastor of a church in a Western city, was greatly troubled by a Sunday-school Superintendent who made too many speeches. One Monday morning, he met a clerical friend, Dr. Summerfield, when the latter. exclaimed: "Why, Brother Roberts, you look bluer than blue Monday! What is the matter?" "Why, brother," answered Roberts; I am in great perplexity about my Sunday-school. I wouder if you can help me! Could you recommend to me an intelligent Christian deaf-mute? I want him as a superintendent. 99 "No, I can't," replied the doctor. "If I could find such a one, I should want him for my own school." Harper. |