Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-04-14

fidelity not in words only, but IN acts.
The Pharisees were always opposed
TO Jesus. They were jealous OF his in.
huence with the people, and lost no
opportunity to throw contempt on his
person and on his teaching. They even
accused him OF being in league with
Satan, and in many ways endeayored TO
turn against him the tide of popular
indignation. Even the instances of
their hospitality, of which one is re.
corded in this lesson, were hypocrtcal
in character. and in the hope of Undue.
ing h;m to commit himself, so that they
might find something OF which to &C.
cuse him.
Jesus was especially severe in his de.
nunoiation OF this famous sect for their
bigoted devotion to mere forms and Ger.
emonies, while they neglected doctrines
and practices of far greater importance
and more spiritual value. Their long
and formal prayers, their ostentauous
charities, their frequent ablutions, were
often the object OF his animadyersion,
while they themselves prlded them.
selves on these rs evidences of their own
superior sanctity. On this occasion our
Lord took occasion oi the invitation OF
a certain Pharisee to dine with him,
purposely to omit the customary wash.
ing before meals, which was insisted on
by the purists and Journalists of the
day. Our Lord was never guilty Of
rudeness or failure to observe the
proper courtesies OF society, but in this
case he wished to teach the people that
there was no vital religion in mere cerc-
monial forms and rites, and that exccs-
sive devotion to these was very differ
ent thing from true spiritual religion.
So he took his place at the table with.
out performing the usual ablution,
which omission was probably remarked
upon by his host and the company in n
critical and offensive manner. This led
TO the stern and uncompromising re.
buke which followed from our Lord.
His language seems harsh; the term
fools" which he applied to the Phari.
sees means rather ''thoughtless ones
and Christ was warranted in plain
speaking to such bareiaced hypocrites
as they were, who laid so much stress
on outward purity while so thoroughly
detiled within. His pure and honest
soul revOlted from the impious cant of
the whole tribe Of sanctimonious, self.
righteous purists, and he poured out
upon them the lava Of his anathemas
with the holy indignation which every
sincere soul must instinctiyely feel for
shameless hypocrisy such as theirs.
To the humble. penltent sinner Jesus
was always tender. compassionate and
forgiving, but to the proud, selfright-
eous aud censorious he was a stern re.
ha -Es Of IN
cords orrthe biting reproaches ol holy
Law, which vindicated the purity OF its
Divine Author, who cannot look upon
sin without the greatest adherence.
The Pharisees, Lawyers add Scribes
professed 10 be the teachers and guides
of the people. But they loaded them
down with grievous burdens of soullcss
ceremonies and vain obseryances, which
brought them no comfort or help. but
only aggravated the troubled souls
whom they should have endeayored to
lead into the way Of peace.
1t was no wonder that these men were
especially odioas to the pure and loving
Saviour who came to preach the Gospel
TO the poor. to heal the broken hearted.
10 bring deliveranoe to the captives.
md of whom and whose teaching it
Sas said as a noble eulogium, "7Hc com.
"soa people heard hin g'adig."
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
/. There is only one washing which
can cleanse the soul. II il the wash.
ing OF regeneration and the renewing
of the Holy Ghost"
Jesus, my God thy blood alone
Hath power sufficient 70 atone
Thy blood caH make me white as snow;
No Jewish types could cleanse me so.
.. No amount of outward lustration
can insure purity of heart.
The tombs around Jerusalem were
whitewashed every year, aud made thus
prominent, so that the people, as they
Travelled towards the city, might not
even accidentily coshe into contact with
them, aLd thus be made eeremoniaily
uuclean. The whitewash was indeed
an outside improvement, bat il was in
all the more offensive contrast with the
foul corruption within.
Such is hypocrite in religion. lie
Il only a whitewashed tomb.
3. The Pharisees "for pretence made
long prayers and received damuation.
One true prayer can insure salvation (.
q Goa BE- Bercifa 70 me a anaer."
1. The religion OF selfr1ghteousnes
muitiplies the burdens of the soul.
Jesus alone says; Come unto me. all
We that labor and are heavy.laden, and
will give you rest" 8
5. Infinite purity abho's The selfrigh.
teous Pharisee, hut stoops to welcome
even the very chief of sinners. who re.
penis and trusts to the imputed righ.
teousness OF Christ.
6. Sin is not extenuated by the high
position Of the sinner.
No class received such scathing re-
Dukes from our Lord ns the Scribes and
PhaFisees, who we're the most respecta.
BILE class in Jewish society.
Sin in the Fifth avenue " is as obi
Gus to a holy God as sin at the +" Five
Points,
The sinner may be clad in purple or
IN rigs, but is equally naked without
The robe Of Christ's righteousness.