The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-31
THE SUyDAY.SCHOOJ.
international Lessons-By Henry q. Grout.
ID. D.-May 3I.-Paul's Charge Ito limo
othy.-2 Timothy 3:I4; As.

ID. D.-NTay 3I.-Paups charge :to limo
othy.-2 Timothy 3:I4; As.
GOLDEN TENT.-The Holy Scriptures, which are
able to make the wise unto Salvation.-@2 Tim. 3:
Is.
The Second Epistle to Timothy WIS written
one or two years later than the first, and not
long before Pauls martyrdem at Rame. The
Apostle has once more been made prisoner.
aud writes in evident anticipation Ut bis end
as near at hand. 1t is his last conamunica-
ton tc his dearly beloved son." Hnd most
likely the last of his epistles. 1t contains his
dying counsels 10 young Christian; brother,
who has given himself to the work OF an
evangelist. We may be sure then that he
VIII speak of things to him of chief impor-
lance and nearest to his heart.
The verses before Us virtually c:oss the
epistle, that which follows being rasinly
summary OF news, with parting Solicitations,
The times were in many things dark and
evil. Perils and distresses were multiplying
about the churches, and there we signs of
heresies and apostasies within. Paul saw
this. And 1t is this which makes; him so
earnest and tender. But he is also full of
courage. Particularly does the thaught of
his own nearing reward and crown fill his
soul with rapture. From these verses we
learn something of the good man's'duty in
evil times.
l. In evil times the good man VIII take
care to continue in the truth. "B.lt con-
tinue thou in the things thou hast learned"
These things were the truths of the Gospel.
1t is not cay for the unstable to maintain
their faith when steadfastness costs pain and
hardship. And it less easy when Others lose
heart and turn away. The faith and fidelity
OF others are great supports to our own; and
when these fail many once promising disci-
plts 60 over TO the ranks of the cold and
formal. if not of open unbelievers.
Paul bids Timothy guard against this ten
dency. Continue thou:" Hold stead lastly
on. Have it as q matter of watchtul, prayer
full resolution to let nothing turn you aside.
For this steadtastness in the trnth the
Apostle gives important reasons Timothy
bad goo0 grounds for his faith. He knew
''of whom he had learned these things" and
was assured of their credlbility. Hia moth.
er and grandmother had taught him he Old
Testament Scriptures, and from Pau HIM
self he has learned to see how they fointed
TO Christ The teachings of plous 1aother
and OF good men are not to be lightly salued.
A second reason urged by the ApNlls is
| that the Scriptures ARE able to Mako wise
unto salvation" not indeed apart fIcSa our
own believing acceptance of Christ, sut by
convincing of sin and leading rs to hsm. 1t
is not the Bible that saves. but Chriss Jesus
who is revealed in it. And he sayes 51ch as
| by faith receive him,
A third reason for steadfastness tosScrip.
ture truth, urged by the Apostle, is Is ade.
| quacy to all cur need, whether of "dCx.trine,
or reproof, or correction, or instruction in
inpf bat e1l,o
or in public or private station. hs. ever
reeced means to completeness of character,
and furnishing for good works. The J: Bile is
| no merely human production, but a. book
from God. Being inspired of God,'; it is
''also profitable" to all these imlartant
| ends
1t will be observed that here the Revised
Version makes a noteworthy change ~ the
rendering. For "All Scripture is givsn by
inspiration OF God and lie proftabHn it
reads, every Scripture. inspired of esd, is
also profitable" Either reading is graknmst-
ical. And the meaning is Substantially the
came whichever is preferred. In tba one
case the inspiration OF the Scriptures a. As.
serted, in the other IT is assumed. "Ins sired"
here is God Dreathed." The sense is, SHoly
men Of God spake as they were movsa by
the Holy Ghost q Peter 1:21).
Surely no wise person will turn from such
Scriptures. Whatever others do, however
mucn of unbelief there is about rs, he will
continue in" the things ne has learnetsf from
such source, and from which such b..aefits
are to be derived.
| ,. In evil times the good man Will be
earnest in the work Of pressing home: this
truth upon others, II charge thee, peach
the word" Be not content to possess and
enjoy, and personally profit by the Eord;
impsrt the good to others; preach ii. To
preach" is to proclaim or herald. Bus one
may preach in private as we'll SIS in ps5lic,
to an individual nearer as well as ito
crowded assembly. And this all cas- do
Thefe is some one to whom the humbles. dis.
ciple can somehow preach. And the iuore
evil the times, the more i'm portant Is the
work. :.
Note some things about his preaching.
What shall we preach? The word"; t51ds
message, not mans, The closer we keep 20
that the better. When shall we preachG In
season, out OF season.; when " is COZ ven
lent, and when IL is not convenient. :"In
the morning SOW thy seed in the eveking
withhold not thy hand" Preach on, Though
none seem to give heed. How shalt we
preach? "Reprove, rebuke and exhccr'
but do this with all long suffering; and
with all doctrine. or every kind of teach.
ing. Be patient, and use every possible way
OF conveying and impressng the truth; II
one fails, try another.
Farther on ". o. something is added to
this part of the charge: "Waich, the1';
keep an open eye and an alert mind against
forgetfulness and lest opportunities escape
improvement Endure Affections; shr.nk
not from costly service in the face of hard
ships and opposition. "Do the work OF an
evangelist; go into the By ways and hedges,
carry the gospel to all sorts OF places. Make
full proof of thy ministry" leave nothing
untried and undone. How emphatic this lei
Watch and endure, work, make full proof
What earnestness is here implied
3 In evil times the good man will not
overlook the powerful motives which should
incIte 10 fidelity. There is here o hsaping
up OF ihese which is noteworthy and impress
sive. Fret Timothy is solsmnly charged,
in the sight OF Gcd and OF Christ Jesus. sho
shall judge the quick and the dead " He is
reminded that Gods eye 10 uEon him; that
he In In the sight of Him before Whom ALI