The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1888-06-15
THE GREAT COMMISSION.
LESSON XII, SECOND QUARTER, IN
TERNaTloNAt, SERIES. JUNE II.

LESSON XII. SECOND QUARTER, IN
TERNA TloMAt- SERIES. JUNE II.
Text of the Lesson. Matt. xviii, 1920.
Golden Text, Ps. xviii, Ii - AIcm-
Rev. II. S. Hoffman.
(Condensed from Lesson Helper Quarterly, by
permission Of Il. S. Hoffman, Philadelphia
l'uhlisher.i
v l6 The eleven disciples appear as the
representatives of the entire band of Christ's
followers. There were no doubt many others
beside them who had Travelled the long dis
tance from Jerusalem to attend this meeting
which sJesus had appointed. He still ap
points places where He will meet His people.
Let us be sure to be there. The precise
mountain in Galilee is not known. Some
think it Mount Tabor, or the mountain on
which He was transGgured. 1t seems to
have been providentially arranged that every
important place where Jesus manifested His
glory should be obliterated from the subse-
quent knowledge of mankind. Enough re-
mains of the places to attest the truth of
Christian records. but no one spot connected
Bethlehem still exists. but there is no trace of
the place where the manger Graded the won
drous child Nazareth is indicated, but the
carpenter shop and the home of Jesus cannot
be pointed out. One can no more find tho
house where the Last Supper was instituted
than the drops Of water that wet the dis,
ciples' feet. Tourists are shown at least three
places in Gethsemane where Jesus agonized
The hill of Calvary and the tomb of Joseph
cannot be surely identified. There was to be
no shrine to which idolatrous worshipers
might repair.
v. IL. An Immense assembly looked upon
Him. He appeared before them What
strange emotions of curiosity and OF love
filled their hearts as they looked upon their
Friend who was dead, but now alive before
them. ''Some doubtedn not of course the
eleven disciples who had doubted, but now
were convinced, and yet though some doubt
ed they worshiped Him Their doubt was
honest, one that could be overcome by evi.
dence. Their doubt was not lasting, since
Paul speaks of them twenty years after as
brethren, the most of whom were yet living
witnesses of the reality of His resurrection
They were no rash, fanactical enthusiasts.
Their slowness to believe adds immensely to
that bold and unfaltering faith with which
thenceforth they gave witness of His res1r-
rection. 1t is well to prove things and then
hold fast.
IS. Though they may have doubted,
Jesus did not reject them; He only came nearer
to them, giving them convincing proofs.
When they got closer view of Him, and
when His familiar voice fell upon their ears,
how every trace of doubt must have llecl
Matthew gives us but the most condensed
epitome or substance of what Jesus said on
this occasion. He addressed all present and
all future believers in Him. He asserts that
ali power of government, of guidance, of in
fuence, of authority is His, not only on earth
but in heaven. Seated on His mediatorial
throne, He declares that He is the Head of the
Church, the Guide of all tho nations, the
Director of the course of human history, max,
ing the enemies of religion subserve His pur-
poses. He says that He would have power
over nature and its laws; power over the in.
ventions of men, so that commerce with its
railroads and steamships and telegraphs
should carry His Gospel He tells us that He
has in heaven the power Of God, being God
over all; the power to give life, pardon and
peace: the power to plant new graces in the
renewed heart; the power to comfort and
strengthen; the power to send the Holy
divine nature and character were His to ex-
ercise. Glorious truth, we have an eve, Iiv.
ing, all powerful Saviour
V. 10. Christ has brought His disciples to-
gether in order that he might disperse them
over the world to bear the good tidings of
salvation to all men. He tells them that be
cause all power in heaven and earth are His,
therefore should they go forth to the ends of
the earth to proclaim His name. All His
power is pledged to each one of His servants
for protection and help They had the
promise of Christ's eternal and unlimited
power to back them. Dangers, trials and
persecution awaited them, but they had a
watchword such as conqueror never had to
quicken their zeal and to assure them of sue
cess. Out of weakness they were made
strong.
v. co. The business Of Christ's ministers
and people is to "observe all things that
Christ commanded" The word s'observep
means not merely to do them, but to keep
watch over them. The doctrines and pre-
cepts of Christ are to be eprotected and handed
down to other generations. The preachers
true fidelity consists in this, that he breaches
nothing but what Christ has taught While
there may be new methods Of Jeaching, the
truth is the same now that it was 1900 years
ago. Nothing is new, nothing becomes obso-
lete We want no new Gospel. Christ prom
ises to His true Church His presence to the
end of time. Hedoes not say 81 will be, but 81
am" with you. He is an ever present Saviour
By His risen Life. by Ills Providence, by
His Spirit Christ has engaged to be witt,
each one and all of His people for all time.
To have His presence we must be united to
Him. Snow is Christ with us, then lat the
end Of the world we shall be with Him whore
He is" Schatf. HE may hide himself, but
He never absents Himself from us.n "Al-
way.n i. e., all days, every day. week days
and Sundays, fair days and foul days.
Although left alone, ike orphan children in
cold, uniiind world, the disciples were not
to think they were deserted. Their Master
would be ever with them.' Though COM
missioned to do "a work as hard as that of
Moses when sent to Pharaoh, they were not
discouraged. Their Master would certainly
be with them.' Christ is with us always,
wherever we go. Hecame to be Emmanuel.
| God with u.s. when He first came into the
world. He iswith ms daily to pardon and
forgive; with us daily to sanctify and
strengthen; with us daily to defend and keep;
with us daily to lead and to guide; with us in
| sorrow and with us in joy; with us in sick
| ness and with us in health; with us in life
and with us in death; with us in time and
with us in eternity. It it everything to be q
real Christian. None have such King, such
a Priest, such a constant Companion and such
an unfailing Friend as the true servants of
Christ" Ryle.
Let us say Amen to this blessed truth, AMI
with our hearts believe it to omr great and
endless comfort Amen.
The Ruling Passion.
Life was ebbiua fast and his ho17,s 1vera