The Indianapolis journal., 1885-05-31

GOLDEN TExr.--How shall we escape, if we neglect
so great salvationi Hebrews IL g.
HOME READINGS.
Monday. The Word Of God. .Psa xix
Tuesday. The Voice of Sinai. Elk. xx 1-23
Wednesday. The First Prophet Jude 14-2l
Thursday Gods Message by His Son. Heb. 1-S
Saturday. The Vision of Abraham - Gen iv, la
Sunday The Words of Jesus. John xii 44-50
The authorship of the epistle to the Hebrews
is not definitely known. The early Church
could not determine whether it was written by
Paul, or Barnabas, or Luke or Clement But
Notwithstanding these doubts as to its author
ship, its canonicty is beyond dispute. Yet in
very early ages it was accepted by some of the
fathers as of Pauline origin, the principal argu-
ment against the apostles authorship being the
great diversity of style between it and the other
epistles bearing his name To account for
this variation, it was conjectured that Paul
first wrote it in the current Hebrew or
Aramaic, of his day, and that either Luke or
Clement translated it into Greek; but this is
mere conjecture. Besides it bears internal evi-
dence of being Greek original, aud not a trans
lation. There are good reasons, however, for
surposing Paul to be the author. Peter, writing
to the Jews of the dispersion, says: "Our be-
loved brother Paul also, according to the wis
dom given unto him, hath written unto you; as
also in all his epistles." ETC. e Peter
iii, Is, ICY, implying that Paul had al
ready addressed letter to the same
persons to whom Peter was 'iting,
and distinguishing between that his
other epistles. Since none of the anc. fa-
theirs say that this letter mentioned by Peter
was lost, it must have been that which now
bears the inscription ITO the Hebrews" The
companion of the writer is spoken of as "our
brother Timothy"--a phrase often used by Paul
tCol. j. 1; 2 Cor i, 1; Philemon 1);Iand we know
that Timothy was in Rome with Paul, at which
place this epistle was probably written. We
may. therefore, accept it as of Paul. for it GER
tainly represents his views, ard is impregnated
with h influence. Even the early fathers, who
doubted his authorship speak of it as being 1.-The
words of Paul"
l. THE MEssENGER-"I time past"--''of old
God spoke to the race by the prophets. How
ever diverse their age-station-special message
they were the servants of one Master At least
thousand years were covered by this prophetic
era. The earliest book of the Old Testament dates
as early as l400 B. c.. the latest nearly 400 B. c.
Then after an interval of nearly four centuries.
during which time there twas no open vision"
the ''last days" brought new and fuller mes
sage spoken by and revealed in Gods Son. The
last days" probably mean ''the en1 of these
days OF prophetic announcement and the intro
AS if foreseeing disputes concerning the doc
trine of the Trinity, the apostle in this lesson
makes distinction between the revelations of
God through prophets in the oden times. and
the words spoken by the Son of God in the later
times Not in kind, hut in degree; for in both
the early and the last days the Spirit of Christ
was the inspirer and the author If the Word
of God spoken by angels was steadfast," the
same word uttered by the Son of God is worthy
of credit and is to be received with faith by
those who hear it. He who is exalted to the
eternal throne, through whom the worlds
were made who is the inhertor of
all things. who upholdsth all things by
the word Of his power, who laid
the foundations Of the earth, and whose hands
formed the heavens, must be no other than God
himself To regard Jesus as anything less than
God, dishonors Him; and we have equal reason
for worshiping each person of the divine Trinity
as for worshiping God the Father alone. How
these persons exist in the Godhead we may
never understand There are mysteries of god
Illness to be received by faith, since they
transcend reason, but they are none the less
true The proofs of our Lords supreme deity
are no less than those of his Messiahship. He
was 'the effulgence of His glory and the very
image Of His substance as the Revised Version
gives it.
of dignity and honor. the message is correspond
ingly important. Therefore" should we heed
carefully what has been spoken, lest we drift
away from the truth, and make shipwreck of
our hopes. "Let the word of Christ dwell in
you richly" says the apostle in his epistle to the
Colossiaus. BY this Word of Christ" we are
to understand the message which he has de-
livered to mankind. But what is this messageg
Not simply the Gospels which contain his talks
with his disciples. for not yet had tkev been
published, though the gospel had already
been proclaimed. Not the Epistles of
the Lords apostles for they were
not all yet written. Not the traditional
report of what Jesus had said, for only the few
%<x uhnvo = bod rao, A,1. l.
peat it. But the whole revelation of the will of
God in all the Scriptures then written, and to be
written, both of the Old Testament and the New.
This appears evident from what the apostle
adds: Teaching and admonishing another
In psalms and hymns and spiritual songs" The
entire New Testament record of miracesis Gods
plea for the acceptance of the message brought
by His Son. 1t is a message of salvation,
brought by the Savior confirmed by apostles,
established by miracles-an expression of Gods
holy will, and wonderful love for sinners Who
can question but that the message of these last
days is the most important the world has ever
heard, and that to neglect it is fearful folly as
we'll as an invitation to infinite perle
THOUGHTS TO BE APPLIED.
God has spoken. The Bible is His word.
Every voice echoes His message Every witness
testifes of His WILL We need not be in doubt
We need not crepe for truth. God has spoken;
His word is truth.
God has spoken to us. His message is to each
one, as though there were no other. The Bible
is His plea for your heart. and life, and love.
God has spoken fully The message contains
all that is needful for salvation and godliness.
God has spoken completely. There will be no
further revelation. The divine canon is closed
1t is worthy of the closest attention and study.
How can you escape2 We cannot elude God
No darkness can hide u.s. No covert offers shell
ter from the wrath OF the Lamb. Beware
How shall we escapep
THE ADELE HUGO STORY.