The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1886-04-10
INTERNATIONAL LESSONS.
BY REV. F. II. nARoREAvEs.
Lesson 2 Ap1il II
TIE FIRST DISCIPLES.

Lesson April IL.
THE FIRST DISCIPLES.
John !. 35-5l. Golden Text, John 1.
81. Time. A. d. q. Place, Bathabara.
a ford of the river jordan. Rulers.
Tiberius, emperor of Rome; Pontius
Plate, procurator of Judea; uerod
Antipas, tetrarch of Gallee.
Il is strange and weird scene! By
the Bethabara ford of the Jordan is
gathered a vast company of people. Ii
was historic place. Here Gideon Law
in wait for the Midianites. and here
the men of Gilead slew the Ephraimites,
1t was a place which had been the
theatre OF many exciting events, but
none which made so distinct an i'm
preston upon the world rs the one
narrated in our lesson. What meant
TINS strange, motley gathering of people.
OF every class and character? What
were they doing at the Bethabara ford?
L ey II vi come down to hear a ple cher
VINO was the greatest evangelist of his
age; man who stamped his impress
upon the times in which he lived 1t
was John the Baptist. He was a man
OF remarkable appearance. Stern of
feature, strong of figure, quaint of
uTess' ne appeared before the people.
His hermit life and great sanctity were
Known; and when he came forth from
ms secluslon, and began preaching his
wonderful message, Repent We. for the
Kingdom OF Heaven is at hand" he
reused the country to prepare for the
coming of Christ. 1t was noised
Unr Nrp. .v.l. l..
news told 1t to others, and so they soon
negan Hooking from all quarters to hear
the preaching of John the Baptist. lie
was a revivaist indeed. At first the
gathering was only local, but soon the
whole nation was interested Men left
their work. There was represented there
every class In the land, high and low,
good and bad. native and foreign.
military and civil priestly and lay. all
Kinds OF people were there. Amongst
them was young man named John, a
jerusalem trader, whose home was on
the shores of Galilee, and man named |
Andrew, who were intensely interested |
in the preaching of the Baptist. A
reputation of priests and Levites went
down from Jerusalem to inquire into |
the pro eedings, as the Jerusalem |
authorities claimed to be the sole dis |
nensers of religious instruction. Was
he the Christ? or Elias? or the expected |
prophet? He was only the voice of |
one crying in the wilderness, make
straight the way of the Lord, as said
the prophet Esaias."
n man. fair of form, stepped down
he river bank. picking his way amongst
the crowd, now brushing past Roman
soldier and then carefully threading
his way through a crowd o merchants
who had left their business to attend
the great revival. John saw him COM
ing and he cried out. There standeth
one among you. who m We know not;
lie 1t Is, who coming aft,r me is pre-.
icrred before me, WHOSE shoes latchet
am not worthy to unloose." The
eager, restless crowd turned upon each
other. and the anxious enquiry was
passed from mouth to mouth, "Where
is he? Who is hep" Each one doubt
less expected some one to step forward
and declare himself to be the one re-
ferred to. The people had long expect
ed the Messiah. whom they hoped
would be great military leader, and
under whose generalship they would
win back their freedom from the power
OF Rome. But no one manifested him
self that day. 1t was two days after
this that John looked upon Jesus as He
walked, and said, "Behold the Lamb of
Goo" hen the two disciples of the
Baptist, named John and Andrew,
followed Jesus. an in response TO His
question, "What seek ye, they replied,
Master, where dwellest Thou" He
answered them. Come and see." They
went with Him. and they became HIS
disciples and afterward linked their
fortunes with His for time and eternity.
Then Andrew went out and found his
brother Simon, and told him the news.
. We have found the Christ'-''and he
brought him to Jesus" The next day
Jesus went out and found Philip to
whom He said, Follow me-" At once
imbued with the same spirit which had
lctuated Andrew the day before, lie
went out and found Nathaniel. and
told him the news, "We have found
Jesus of Nazareth" Nathaniel knew
well the reputation of Nazareth and he
Immediately enquired, "Can there anv
COOL thing come out of Nazareth?'
Philip did not argue the matter with
him; but simply said, "Come and see."
Nathaniel went, he saw. he believed.
and he followed Jesus. So, to each ur.
one we would echo the words
Of Andrew and Philip, Come ana ste.
And if you thus come with true heart
and purpose. this same Jesus will speak
iway the sin from your soul. and to il
He will gently whisper. Peace; go in
peace and sin no more"
LESSON THOUGHTS.
l. John testified of Christ; let us do
likewise.
2. If we would knop Christ we must
'Ome to Him. "Cnmn and spe."
8. Tell the good news of salv; ON to
'our family anu fllenus.
4. Jesus never turns away the earn
ST seeker-the seeker becomes a dis
,iple.