Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-06-07
Che fireman.
Sunday School Lesson Notes
BY REV. J. o. SHERBURN.
1unon: The Afflicted child-Mark g:il-ae.

the reality of things for once appeared
and heaven and earth were shown 10 De
near together to the devout soul. the resi-
due of the disciples were upon the plain
below, and there the powers OF hell con
spired to battle and put them to shame.
This set of circumstances presents in
miniature what is transpirlng almost con
stantly all the world over. A few, it NAV
be. find comfort and heavenly Joy In quie
communion with Christ and the heavenly
throng, but the multitudes of Christians
are in the thick OF the fight with Satan
and if the Master consented to remain
with the mystics and recluses, shut away
from the world, the conflict would perpet
ually 20 against those who are seeking to
cast out devils in his name.
But Jesus did not consent to abide in
booths upon the mount. lie had thought
for the world in need, and fastened from
the scene of glory to the dnst and turmoil
of the conflict with Satan. What courage
ought the "Lo, am with you" to bring
to every ono who is battling against
wrong.
As Jesus drew near the place where his
remaining disciples were he saw, as
doubtless lie had before seen with divine
vision, a great multitude gathered to-
rether and the almost ever present Scribes
holding discussion with the disciples.
The conduct of the people when they
recognized Christ drawing near to them
is not easily explained. One leading view
has been that they saw lingering about
his countenance and raiment some traces
of the glory that had covered him upon
the mount, and hence they were amazed
and saluted him. The verb, rendered
amazed, is fairly favorable to tie inter,
pretstion. 1t signifies to gaze with utter
astonishmcnt. 1t has in it more of the
idea of awe than of joy.
Another leading Interpretation, how
ever, has been that the multitude were in
utter CONSERVATION because of the failure
of tho disciples to cast out the evil spirit
and that when they saw Jesus they ran to
him and with delight saluted him, because
they saw in him one who could turn the
defeat into complete victory. 1t is alto
gcther possible that both explanation,
may correspond to the reality, IN part at
least.
The first question Of our Lord is directed
to the Scribes, and contained something o
rebuke in IT.: What, question ye witt
them" is about the same rs if he ha
said, Why will yc make quarrel witt
NY disciples? The man of all tho com
uany most deeply interested in the ap
proach of Jesus M tde answer anu eX
plained the case. He describe the cOndi
ton Of his son, which was that of m
opeptic, so long subject to violent fit
that speech and hearing are destroye
The effect of the demons presence is her
called quality of the demon himself, an
he is spoken of as dumb AMI deaf spri
The saddesI thing, however, in th3
ltlltk . LCllcll sal ID Inls piNO "I-A
thy disciples that they should cast hin,
out. and they could not" But while Jesus
rebuked and bewsiled their lack Of faith
he says at once: Bring lin unto me
This spirit, dumb and deaf, still mani
tested his knowledge OF Christ by produc
ing iu his victim the most violent convuI-
sons when brought into the Masters
presence. To test somewhat the father S
faith Jesus asks how long time the chile
has been thus afflicted Almost fcarfu
the father says: From a child" anc
adds description of tho aggravated
symptoms of the case, and ends by saying
plnintively: "If thou can5t do anything
have compassion on US and help u.s." Qr
using the plural Gus" " he makes the atli,c
ton as a matter pertaining to the whole
family,)
Jesus ro.urns his appeal and says: "
thou canst;" If man can believe all OBJ
struction is removed to the fullest healin!
of every one afflicted and oppressed b.
Satan. The man felt rebuked, but say
truly, my faith is weak; Help thou m
unbelief" Such q petition earnestly an
honestly uttered never was put up il
vain.
BY this time the crowds were prcssin
up 10 see and hear, and at once, 10 avoi
disturbance and any distraction of thougl
or faith on the part of the father, Jesu
commands the foul spirit to come out {
he child and enter no more into hin
Then with Il scream and more violel
convulsions than usual, the evil spir
came out of him and left him apparent
lifeless. But he who could dislodge th
demon could restore life, SO giving h
hand to the lad Jesus lifted him up to |
and freedom from Satan's power.
AS soon as the disciples were alone vii
Jesus they ask why they could not ca
him out. II is a good manifestation
Any one to ask after the cause of failure
order to avoid it in the future. Jesus
not rcbuko his disciples now, but tel
them lovingly how such power for goc
as was in him may be secured by h
followers.
Again Jesus withdraws himself fro
the mutitudes and passes in prlva
through Galilce, all the while seeking
prepare the minds of his followers f
those things which were to befall hir
Again they were stumbled by his speaklr
Of rising from the dead, and unwise
they were ashamed to confess heir faiu
to grasp hi' meaning, and hence tht
were at last unprepared for that event.