The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-08-26
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical Duties Taught by Study OF the Inter-
national SandaI School Lesson Appointed for
Sep. 5. st. John, l5:1-1G.
Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from tho Holy Scriptures Us
indicated aboye.l
We find our Savior having farewell talk
with his Disciples. The circumstances were
sad indeed. IL was Thursday night, few
hours before the cruc.ixion. Two of Christ's
followers had by his direction preceded him to
the city of Jerusalem aud had selected a room on
Mt. Zion in which the Twelve might celebrate
the Passover and originate the Holy Eucharist.
1t is known rs the upper rOOm." Last words
are very precious. Christ never before con-
versed so fully, tenderly and confdeutiaily.
His teachings at that interview have always
been dear to the Church. No one can tell how
much comfort they have been to our world. In
the darker, sadder hours Of life Christians turn
TO the chapters of St. Johns Gospel which give
account Of ChFist's last night with the Twelve.
In the New Testament We find many figures
for Christ {. o., Rock, Mamma, Door, shepherd,
etc. Our lesson represents him as Vine. Re-
garding him thus, his followers are branches Of
the Vine.
Many consequences suggest themselves as
results Of our Savior being the Vine.
We see the intimate relation of Christ to his
followers. Think OF the branches. See how
they cling to the Vine. Nothing can intervene
without decay and death. The currents Of life
must Cow freely from the Vine into the
| branches. Then notice the commences Of life
/ among the branches. All derive vitality from
| a common source. All cling TO the same vine.
/ Destroy the vine and all the branches wither.
/ abide in me and L in you" says Christ No
/ wonder nc declares, E" Without me ye can do
nothing"
Christ Is the true Vine. There are other
vines, false religions vain trusts. Christ is The
\ Truth. The life Of the branch depends on the
| vitality Of the Vine. We cannot trust ia the
I deceptive. There may be some comfort in tie
\ belief of an error which promises good, but when
/ one has 5ilted a dogma and proved 10 % be true
\ his reliance has foundation, his comfort 10 a.
I suTed.
/ Branches viii be strong OF weak as they de-
\ pend from vine which - vigorous or shruukcn.
\ When we conceive fully the Thought Of Christ's
power we see the secret OF Christians eudur-
ance and resistance. They pIrtlke OF the ON
/ impotence Of the Vine. jesus has all power
| Nothing can pluck Us from our source Of
/ sirens b.
We see, too, how {. happens that followers Of
/ Christ have the varied beautiful moral quail
ties. Branches must resemble the nature Of
the trunks from 80 ich they depend The
/ branches Of an apple tree must bear apples. Fur.
IL
green, small or Large. We are branches Of the
Vine Christ We should be like our Saviour
We should love what he loves and hate what
he hates. We must bs anxious for humanity
as be was. We mus be selfdenyins. willing
10 suier, and not unwilling, if call require q
die
The value Of a vine is its fruit. 1t is so Of The
Vine Of our lesson. What fruit this Vine hay
bornel And we are branches. What Of US
We must bring forth fruit. We Glorify God i
We DO productive. Fruit is proof Of genuine
discipleship. Christ has chosen Us on purpose
we should bring forth fruit. v. 16) II is js
srable that the products Of the vegetable wOrIC
he sound, capable OF preservation. So 1t wa
Christs wish that cur fruit should remain
". To-
Branches need attention. The husbaudma-
must watch them, keep them trimmed care tot
their nOurishmcnt. Vine and branches viii
depend much on the taitHfulucss of the vine
dresser God has care ol the Vine and branches
the Church with It's Head. Christ is the Vine
perfect, requiring no pruning. The branches
are human, defective. They need constant care
Each DAY they must be pruned. One can tel
at once on entering a vineyard whether th'
keeper be attentive or careless. In n thousand
WAYS God prunes the branches of the Church
The knife mostly used is suffering Thus are
removed pride, selfshuess, heartlessHess ant
every other excrescenCe. We are made clear
| ". 81 through UlN4lc TcbUkcS. OuE DUSTY
leaves are cleansed through the winds of adver
sity and the floods of trial Jesus was franz
and ioTetOld all ourstruggles, and therefore IL l.
according to his word v. 81 that We are prunet
with tho lancet Of pain, with the shears o
| poverty, with the knife Of SORROW.
1t is suggestive that some branches are en-
of because fruit!ess. Many hold this fac
, teaches that certain ones who have beef
actually Of Christ, in Christ, become useless
lost, cast into the fire. ". 81. This view vii
4 bear examination; but IL mist be remembered
on: study is parable, and that therefore, To
{ much Importance must not De attached % ever
= particular. Ii will not do To support doctrine
by mere hints. All who hold doctrines Of an,
a certain class can, after establishing such doe
: trines BY plain texts. fad some additional sup
1 port from merest analOgies; but TO derive dog
/ mas from the simple frInging OF parable is
r faith too iar-fctched, ere'lulity which is u
unphiloSophical TO be Trustworthy Bat ID
a statements of the parable on their very face ar
too terrific TO warrant carelessness as to tn,
9 soul Indifference % spiritual concerns vii
r always be attended by harmful effects hy in
jury TO the soul not too graphically repre-
{ scented by the burning of branches.
g Branches are dependent Their life Is who'll
derived. Nothing originates with them ~
g 50 of us as Christians. We can b Of no servic
but as we abide IN the Vac. Here is occasion
4 of humility. 81, our strength comes from
Christ self credit il unwarrantable.
: VS. shows we are responsible for continuance
/ in Christ. Hence cur guilt if We abandon
g Jesus, and our consequent punishment (V o.
Q Branches derive benefit FROM vines. Ii
: not profi.less for IA 10 be connected witt
Q Christ We secure benefit through channel
a of prayer. As life pours into branches fror
e the vine, so strength streams into our soul
o from Christ One method is prayer. (Vs. Z
l. 49, Love is another channel OF derivation Q