The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1878-10-03

II 20 illustrate the growth aud eGpan.
sion u bls Kingdom from age 10 age
He IL slowly making biz way back from
the eastern side Of Jordan toward Je-
/ rusAlcm whence he was driven by the
efforts u tie pharisees TO put him to
death John 80. 40l he had been
through cities aud valleys. preaching
and teaching the people bot is now
about ready 10 be offered as a sacrifice
for Elm. 10 bis progress toward Jeru-
salem he ,rayersed a populous region,
sislted numerous places, aud spoke
nearly all those parallels and divine
lessons which are recorded in Luke
xiv xviii
rLAS or THE LESSON
On his preaching tour. %.
The question and urgent command.
20. "a
The door shut against Journalists.
| Is -.
The bitter disappointment. %, 20.
Last first; first last. 30
Those cities and villages we're be-
yond the Jordan, in Perea, lying to the
northeast Of Jerusalem, and IN the
neig hborhood OF Bethabara, which was
nearly east OF Jericho. aud others
across the river aud in his way from
there tc Jerusalem. lie went through
these, not 10 direct but in circuitous
route, probably; aud his journey must
have been Of slow progress, aud have
occupied considerable time in teaching
not only 10 the larger places. but
wherever there was an opportunity.
Jesus united teaching, and journey; a
happy combination which Christian
ministers and men should initiate. lie
spoke the parallels and other lessons
which are contained in the five sue.
ceeding chapters, which so clearly
show the way Of lite to men and 10
all his movements he was journeying
towards Jerusalem where he was soon
TO die. as he had ioretold lch. tx: 23) /;
for our Lord was not only our teacher
aud example, out also our priest and
sacrifice for sin. He reached Jerusa.
lem on Friday evening. March 30. A.
ID. 80, six days before the Passover,
aud seven before his crucifxion, Friday
April G.
The question and urgent command !:
23, Il This questioner was not a
disciple. probably, but one OF tue at
tending multitude ; aud he asked this
question out Of pride of bis own char
acter. believing that he would be saved
or from frivolous curiosity, rather
than from desire to learn of Christ
Or, possibly. observing the striotness
Of Christ's teachings, be asked whether
his doctrine admitted many into
heaven Questions of curiosities our
Lord did not encourage, and never an
swered aud be knew it was more I'M
! p0flant 10 show a man bow TO be saved
+ himself. than to tell him about others.
I His reply il this case involved disap-
proyai OF the inquiry, because Idle Gu
I iiosliy never saves men aud il was
nj directed 10 the qoestioner alone,
bnt To The whole company that listen.
Cd 10 him
salvation. il ita largest sense, is de-
/ livcreucc from evil = from physical
daogsrv. IN which sense God is The sa-
var OF pteserser OF all meu from the
guilt. pollution, aud dominion OF sin
eutre and complete az the resurrection
aud Qualification Of the saints. To be
saved. therefore. is to obtain tins saliva
ton and il il be not begun Ia this life,
il will never begin hereafter. There
fore strive. etc The strait gate is one
that Is close, narrow, pent up. hard TO
pass through Ia Matt. wi: IL, IA,
the figure ia Of agate and way !
while here it is that Of palace and a
narrow door OF entrance into it. II
il said there was custom at marriage
ieasts Of having gate designedly
made narrow through which those who
were bidder might enter, but which
might exclude those who were not bid.
den Others would make the allnsioz
to be to the narrow gates in the walls
Of cities. in distinction from the larger
ones
I The gate or door Of salvation is mar.
row because men DO not enter il wi tn.
out difficulty. aud because there is bui
one way Of salvation. and men must
fad that. l. is not narrow TO keep
men cot fer il is As wide as the love
q God could make It, and is not only
widc cnoagh TO let any uuiorgiven sim
ner through il into heaven.
Last frst frst last so This ia
a pfoverbinl expression. found also in
Matt xix So N: 10. The hrsi. OF
The most distinguished. ia privileges,
opportunities. aud wealth, may be las,
I aud least in Improvement. ia rewards,
! ia character. 10 nseialDess. and IN trea-
sares 10 heaven. This il true Of nations
churches. and iudividuAls. How trse
u Jess aud Geniiles, and Of churches
81 the East and West 10 the past aAd
present time