The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-05-27
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical Duties Taught by q Study OF the Inter-
national Sunday School Lesson Appointed for


Practical Duties Taught BIZ q study OF the Inter-
national Sunday School Lesson Appointed for
June o. ST. John, o $40.
Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
indicated above.l
This lesson finds us at Capernaum. March 81,
A. ID. %. The speaker is Christ. The hearers
are witnesses and sharers in the feeding of the
5000 men besides women and children. (6: 1O.l
The Apostles are also hearers. They were
quite wholly of the common people. The sub
jeet of our SaviorS discourse was, The Free
ness of Salvation. Redemption is presented
under the figures of bread and water.
The first great thought prevailing through
out the paragraph is the universally Of saliva
ton. 1t is life to the world. g.: l6) There
is no partiality as to section of earth, class of
people, condition of applicants. Jesus "giveth
life unto the world" No nationality is over
looked. None are too poor to receive gift.
None are so obscure as not to be included in
the whole world" 1t is universal not only
as to subjects, but also as to time-"neyer hum
ger"-" never thirst" Nv. 35.) Salvation Is
forever satisfying. Hence, there is ground for
the prayer in V. 81, Lord, eyermore give US
this bread" No matter who comes; for none
who seek shall be cast out. (Y. 81 Such may
come at any time" eyermore." Having sought
Christ, one may remain his forever" no wise
cast out"-always welcomed and entertained.
This universally of salvation and continuance
of benefit are according to the Will OF our
Heavenly Father. (V. 3d. Thus we have
ground for reliability and permanence. Gods
will is the law OF the universe and will forever
prevail. Christ shall lose nothing. (V. 3d.
No one need be abandoned. Each shall be re-
membered all through his life. But further,
We have proof of care on till the last day, for
then the bodies of deceased saints shall be re-
animated by the return of their souls. (V. 40)
God will not forget Us anywhere nor any time.
The universally Of Christianity and the gen.
eral applicability of salvation are beautifully
pictured by the emblems employed to point to
the Savior-bread and water-the one, uniTer-
sal food; the other, universal drink.
Let US notice more at length the symbols for
Christ. He is bread-he is water. Recall the
mama in the wilderness of Sanai, the water
flowing from Mount Horeb, the rock whence
issued the life-giving crystal streams, the water
of life proffered to the woman at Jacobs well.
Christ plainly says &" am the Bread of Life"
And verse 80 declares, "the Bread of God is he
which cometh down from Heaven, and giveth
life unto the world.n Jesus promised to those
who should come to him that they should never
hunger. ". 35.) Further, he declared, che
that believeth on Ne, shall never thirst"
What power in this Bread It is life-giving
to the inhabitants Of all places and times.
w. 49, 1t imparts everlasting life" (V. 40.)
So Of Christ, too, as to water. "a: 14-15.) Such
Bread aud Water are foundation Of our Savior's
beatitude-" Blessed are they which do hun.
ger and thirst after Righteousness" Thank God
for the promise appended-"they shall be
filed" Matt, 5:6.) How Christ meets oul
spiritual appetitesl Hunger and thirst are
blessed conditions, if only there be food and
drink enough.
The paragraph we study not only tells Us Of
the Bread and Water, but also sets forth the
conditions for supply. We must pray for spirit
ual sustenance; say, Lord, evermore give III
this Bread v; forever be to Us Well Of Water
If we hunger and thirst, our appetites cry ou
and will not permit Us 10 rest without speedy
supply. III we be sensible of wants for ouI
souls, we shall not remain quiet, but find relic
and refreshment in prayer. We must hunger
and thirst. (Y. 3d. These are healthful con
ditions. A man who has lost his appetite fo
meals feels concern and causes his friends
anxiety. To secure sustenanee for our spiritus
natures, We must 90 to Christ" cometh Il
me-" (V. 35l; "shall come to me-" (V. 81.
We must seek knowledge as to our Savior
| comprehend his work in our salvation, approach
| him in prayer. There is q sense in which WI
must see Christ. (Y. 40.) We should behold
| him, discern him, realize who he is and wha
he does. But more than sight of Christ j
| requisite. The Jews saw him, (V. &c. but j
| failed to benefit them; I'VE have seen me, bu
believe not" We must credit Christ, accept hi
doctrines, obey his laws, heed his threatening
trust his promises, act according to his wishes
avail ourselves of his help and merits, seek hi
/ approval and guidance, follow his example.
See what eae0uYGgsmellts there are as 70 saliva
| ton. 1t is for all. None need dispair. (Vs
80, 40.) Your hunger and thirst shall be sp
peased. Our Savior has promised food ant
| drinks Bread and Water. Going to Christ
be sure of welcome. You viii not be cast out
| Nv. 81 Have no apprehensions as to tn
| Father in the matter of salvation. Your re
demption is not only on the heart of Christ
| but in the will of God the Father. Heave
world he sent his Son. 10 :25, 29.) Salvation
is certainty. III: IL; 1881 The Fathe
and Christ act jointly in the work Of savin
souls. Never mind if you die. Death is nc
the end. You are destined to the resurrectio
of your bodies. You shall go forth from you
graves. (V. 40) Your souls shall revisit thei
wonted abodes. And then you shall live fol
ever. ". 4O.) How much there is to en-
courage mortals in the matter Of salvation
Even the grave is not an obstacle All Heave
has become interested in our redemption an
parties more or less TO its success. Th
foundation of God standeth sure, having tn
seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his.
q tt, 2: 1871
The following lines 80 beautifully set fort
| the entire paragraph We study, we cheerful
permit Horatius BOnar to tell the story:
| True bread Of life. In plying mercy given,
| Long furnished souls To strengthen and to feed /
Christ Jesus Son of God, true bread of heaven,
Thy flesh is meat, thy blood is drink indeed
| cannot hamish, though this earth should fall
Tho life through al its Fields should pine 81
| die;
Though the sweet verdure should forsaks eaS
| vale,
And every stream Of every land run dry.
True Tree Of Lief OF thee eat and live
| Who eateth of thy fruit shall never die;
| IT'S thine the everlasting health to give,
The youth and bloom of Immortality.
| Feeding on thee all weakness turns TO power,
This sickly soul revives, like earth in Spring;
| Strength howeth on and in, each buoyant hour,
This being seems all energy, all wing.
Jesus. our dying. buried, risen Head,
| Thy Church's Life and Lord, Immanuelf
At thy dear cross we find the eternal bread.
And in thy empty tomb the living well.
Words of our Savior are specially dear. Ever
sentence is full of life. Paragraphs from b
lips are burdened with depth Of though
Bishop Butler, the eminent and scholarly
vine, became quite respondent when consciol
death was approaching. His sinfulness seem,
unbearable. Ny Lord" said his Chaplain
rou forOet that Jesua Christ Ia a Savior