The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-08-19
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical Duties Taught by Study OF the Inter.
national Sunday School Lesson Appointed for
Aug. %. st. John, Ii:l-l4.

Practical Duties Taught by n Study OF the Inter-
national Sunday School Lesson Appointed for
Aug. 20. st. John, H:1-I4.
Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
indicated above.l
Some portions of the Holy Scriptures are
doubtless preferred by the majority of readers.
favOrIte chapter among very many is the
18th of ST. Johns Gospel, part of which we
are now to study. Nothing ever said by our
Savior is more sweet, cOnsOling and strength
ening. The circumstances of speaker and
hearers made the words very impressive. 1t
was the last night o. Christ before his cruel
fixion. Jesus foresaw the difficulties, SORROWS,
prosecutions to which his Disciples would be
subjected. He knew enemies would beset
them on every side. Looking further, he real
lied the trials of his followers in all ages to
come. He would fortify them. His whole
object was to comfort. His text is, "Let not
your heart be troubled" He wanted his Dis
ciples not to be distrustfGl. He wished to show
them the difference between hopeless and hope
full trouble. The Disciples could not but be
troubled while human and on earth. Even
Christ had trouble. Q3:21.) But there are
comforts in trouble. There are ways Of pass
ing through trouble in a buoyant spirit
Christ does not simply bid the Disciples not to
be troubled, but explains how they may so en-
durs trouble rs to render it blessing. Why
ohOulu lut DlSCIpito nOI DO LEOuDfSu 10 dKc
they who have no offsets to difficulty?
l. They believed in God. (V. ~ Why
should believers in Providence be disturbed2
God has all power. No enemy of ours can be
stronger than our God. We believe God exists
". H. and has control of all the resources of
the universe. ". ~ Why should We dis
pair like atheists? Why should we be de-
spoiled as are the GOdless2 Is it no advantage
To US that we know the true God and have
him friand If yUa yufthnuf fyod
in the world, We might well imagine all crea-
tion would become wrecked, our enemies have
their own way, and every interest dear to Us
| he imperiled. Away with fear, We atheists
| Trust, We who own God and are owned of God.
2. We believe also in Christ. Tvs. i, 2 10,
| H. Here is a second ground for not letting
our hearts be troubled. Let one appreciate
who Christ is, his resources, his love, and how
can he be troubled? Is not Christ all we need ?
Can any one overcome him? No one can in
jure Us without first disposing of Christ; but
| who has power to harm the Son OF Man? Too
much agitation is sure proof the person does
not fully comprehend the Omniseience, omnip-
Otence and goodness of Christ. III suffering
comiortleSs distress, you do not know Jesus as
you should and can.
8. Another reason why our hearts should not
be troubled, is the assertion of Christ, " In my
/ Fathers house are many mansions" Never
mind II enemies turn you out of doors; no
matter if opponents rob you of home or tear
| down your tenement, il is only a question of a
short time. Do not be troubled as though shell
terless forever and beyond rescue. There are
not many mansions on earth, but they are nu-
merous in Heaven. Room enough in the Faith
! er's housel What comfort for troubled souls
is the knowledge that our Savior is preparing
place for us-a place without sickness, enc
mics, prosecutions, death-a place charming
with music ami sOng-a place so beautiful in
| climate, surroundings, architecture, as to be
indescribable-a place adapted TO every taste
4. Away with distressl Another reason for
abandoning trouble is the fact we can depend
on Christ's promises. He is truthful. He says
If it were not SO, would have told you" He
holds out no false hopes. Christ is frank, and
tells not only the best but the worst. He ha:
no false sootlS g to calm for the time being
| So in V. 6 he IS called the Truth. He is nc
ignis tatHus. His religion is correct. His book
| THE BibleJ is true. 1t is troublesome to find
ones self misled. No danger if you follow
Christ. He not only tells the truth, but warns
us of the false. If this or that be not so, he
informs us. Being true, We can believe him
| VS. IL, 12.)
5. The Disciples were relieved Of the weight
OF trouble which they felt by reason of the fact
/ Christ was about to leave them. He told them
will come again and receive you unto myself
that where am there ye may be also" They
7 NHAt Greatly hlSlItSStu db the LHOu1uI buell
| Friend was going to depart. They had enjoyed
his teaching and company for several years in
the most dear, tender and confidential rela
/ lions. But the separation was to be only tenn
pOrary. He was to visit them for 40 days after
the resurrection. He was to prepare q place
where they should all meet again after a little
never to be sundered.
g. Dismiss trouble. Here is another reason
| Christ shows US the way to the place which ht
| il DFeDariuU for uS-tha Home nf the Father
Heaven. Learning of its beauties, joys, asso
| Citations, we would not miss il. How can VIZ
reach it? Christ is the Way (Y g. We have
but to follow him. st. Thomas was not quit,
clear as TO the destination OF his Master. Prob
ably none of the Apostles fully comprehendeC
the meaning of Christ. The way TO HEAVIER
was not so much a literal pathway as a spiritua
preparation, correct training in religious truth
| upright life daily imitation of Christs exam
pie. Over these avenues Jesus had led his Dis
! ciples for several years, and hence they knew
The way. va rs TO physical location of tht
dead, az 10 Paradise, as to Heaven, Us to tn,
location OF either, the Apostles and we are quit,
wanting in knowledge. So st. Thomas had
reason for his assertion and question. ". D.
But Christ is the Way. He taught the way
and went the way, and we have but to study
his life, follow his instructions, and at length
go where he is.
Z. BE not troubled about death. Christ 4
life; he has brought Immortality TO light; ht
is the resurrection aud the life. ". 6) Tht
Disciples were TO be agitated over the death o
their Master. Their own lives were TO be IN
peril. But Christ would bring them comfort
He who is life cannot die, save for the moment
lie who is life itself can raise the dead, as h,
did resurreet several during his ministry.
.. Do not be troubled lest the work begun BY
| Christ may be discontinued by reason of hi,
death. The Disciples were to be able to carry
Oh religious enterprises on far larger scale
than did Christ. ". 12.) Jesus was not q
cease existence and power. lie was to ris,
from the dead and ascend TO Heaven, where hC
could be effective for good even more thar
while on earth. He, in Heaven, would have
full range of all lands and times and peoples
He could act with the Father and be as far
reaching as God. He would be Intercessor II
the very courts Of Heaven in behalf Of man
kind. He was to send the Holy Spirit to worI