The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-29
READING FOR THE SABBATH.


Sunday-School Lesson for Feb. D, 1885.
THE TRANsF1eURATIoN.--Matt.x xvii, lib
Golden Text--And there came voice out of the
cloud saying this is my beloved Son; hear him.
Luke il, 30.
Mon.---.----- Matt. xvii 1-13 The transformation.
wed..---..--.H Peters, 1-2I. The excellent glory.
Thurs Heb: ! LA j, Gods glory . odd
Sat--.Acts j. LII. Received into glory.
sun Rev. i, 9-lS. In heaven.
Several writer's have called attention to the
strange silence and inaction of the disciples dur
ing the six days since the last lesson 1t may
have been that the teachings of Christ about
"the cross" struck them dumb; that it caused a
sort of moral paralysis that could only be cured
by some wonderful revelation of his glory.
Christ was calm because he knew his place and
power
The disciples needed to be cheered and
strengthened by some manifestation in behalf
OF Jesus that would confirm their faith in him,
even while he chooses the way of humiliation
and death 1t was hard for them to walk along
that line 40 contrary to all their previous ideas
and hopes Jesus took Peter, and James, and
John apart from the others to one of the lofty
spurs of Mount Hermon. and gave them a vision
of Ills power and glory that they never forgot.
His own nature became like a vase lighted
from within, and even his garments shone like
the sun. Then Moses. the great law-giver. and
Elijah the great prophet and defender OF the
old religion, appeared in visible forms, talking
with Him." and by their presence attesting
His divinity, and that He was to complete their
work; and finally God. the Father, speaking
from the cloud, calls Jesus, His beloved Son."
With such vision and such voice they could
never again question His Messiahship di-
vinty
HELPS AND HINTS FOR TEACHERS.
/. Some Test Questions-L Why were only
Peter and James and John taken with Jesus2
2 What Is 1t to be TRANSFORMED 8. Why did
Moses and Elias appearl a. What is meant by
tabernacies, and why were these suggested 5.
Why were they sore afraid2 6. Why not tell
the vision before his death, and why tell it
afterwardl z. How did John the Baptist repre-
sent Eliasl
2. Some Subjects for Lesson Talks-I Jour
neys apart with Jesus. 2. Special manifesto
tons of His glory gwen in secret places 3.
How far can they of the spirit world manifest
themselves to us2 4. The interest of the dead
in the worlds salvation. 5. Gods word to US.
ssHear We Him" g. "Jesus only" but Jesus
alone is more than all the rest together. Z The
wonderful touch Of Jesus. g. The Son of Man
must suffer; His death essential to our saliva
ton.
SPECIAL APPLICATION.
The all-important preparation for preaching
or teaching is the spiritual. The special revela-
tion of Gods power and glory to our hearts in
the mountains is worth more than all the rest.
The vision may be brief, but it photographs it
self on the soul We do not need many
lengthy experiences like it. One such hour will
produce a depth and clearness OF conviction that
all the unbelief and opposition of years cannot
overcome. Peter, many years after. In writing
his second epistle, refers to this browning mani
festation of Christ's glory. when he with others
.''were eye-witnesses' of his Majesty Ii, 1919.
Such experiences produce faith that itself al
ways gives accent of deep conviction to every
utterance of the speaker.