The National tribune., 1888-06-07
SUNDAY MEDIrATIoN.
Practical Ratles Taught by study Of the Inter
national Sanlay-Sctiool Lesson Appointed for
Hmm L. 81 Malt Is; In-2n.


We always attach Il special saeTtducss to Sinai
e&pr s5Ons. We remember the last words of
friends. The late Charles Kingsley, speaking
OF the verses which we are to study, said:
And these words were. as it were. his last
words-hls last will and testament. Was It likely
that these last words would have any meaning iu
them? Likely, Does II not stand 10 reason that
tney would be full of meaning Most likely the
most important OF all his words Perhaps the
summing up ana finishing OF ali his words, his
whole message and teaching gathered up into one
lie had been saying wonderful and blessed things
for many year. And think that this last word Of
his the most wonderful and blessed oi all his
sayings, rs we might expect
st. Matthew is the only writer who states
these final words of our Saviour
l. Tine
Christ uttered the words for our study on
Thursday, March 81 a. ID. %, 1853 years ago,
in his 34th year of life and the fourth OF his min
iatFy. This was between his resurrection and
ascension.
2. Place.
The commission was issued probably on
Mount near Capernaum in Galiiee, Palestine,
Asia (Mt., 20: b; 25:7)
,. Speaker,
The words were spoken by Christ--him whom
the Jews crucihed; but, 10, he came to life
he was recognized by those who knew him well
before his death.
l. Hearers
1t is thought that the II Apostles were those
to whom Cuust spoke direct 1t is also held
by many that 500 others were present. Z Cor,
I5:6)
s. Subject,
St Matt (2s: 10, 2O} really gives Us the ordi-
nation charge spoken by Christ to his chosen
ministry.
6. Anagsis
1. Ground of the commis5ion-Chrises au-
thority
2. The commission-verses I9 and 90.
3. To whom gIven-the II Apostles.
4. Encouragements.
Z. The Discussion.
l. We find Christ taking a position not be-
coming an ordinary man. lie said "AI power
is given unto me Ia heaven and in earth" Is
the speaker the same person as be VINO suffered
aud groaned and died only little before on
cross But now he claims universal power and
authority. He assumes command over nature,
heaven, earth, yea, over men. Compare Dan,
Z 13; IA; st. Matt, 1I:27; IS Is; st. Luke,
/ -; st. John, 3: 35; 3 p; 1873; I7!2;
Acts, 2 SO; Ro., 14:9; l Cor, Is 27; Eph
l 10, 2l Phil, 2: 8, 10; Heb, 2; 2:5; 1
Pet, 3: y; Rev. II l4.) We associate a com
mand with the glYer. If Christ is thus power
ful, there IS weIghtiness to his commission. Il
Christ has such authority, it is presu ptIou on
our part not to heed his commands
2 Notice the command Go" Where
To whom For what purpose Go" There
is call for action, and enterprise, and persist
ence Why go? Why heed the command /?
TO ye therefore," Why? Because Christ has
all power aud authority. We are his subjects
Our duty is to obey. TO all nations" Is.
50: 10; ST. Luke, "a: AZ; Acts 2 SO; Ro
10: Is; Col, / 81 What do? Baptze aud
teach. Administer ordinances and instruct
The act Of baptism was to be administered by
4 rrFf
lively an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 1t i'm
plies water. The fOrmuIum is givcn-"i in the
name of the Father. and Of the Son, and OF the
Holy Ghost" " Teach them" What? What
Christ commanded. The IL had been taught
of Christ for several years Now they IN turn
were to instruct others. The theme was to be
Christ and him cruci6ed.
3. To whom was the command given? To
the Apostles. Hence they were to 5apize and
teach. But they became sort OF corporation
"a body which could live on prOpagating it
self, filing up its own numbers Hence Christ's
words with you Away not with the Il
during all time for they all soon died but
with the II and their successors during all
ages. The whole ministry is, in a certain cor
pogatc sense, q single, continuous body.
4. Encouragemeuts. - am with you Away,
even unto the end of the world"
@ Ever my Savior, till the earth doth end
Yes, through the ages Of eternity
bHLll see iHee, shepherd, savior, Friend,
cling 90 this: Thou ever art with me, -
90 7 an says Christ, not I iciH be. We see in
this form OF expression the constant being of
Christ Even yet in sense Jesus is Imman-
uel. The perpetuity Of the Church is thus as
sured. Here IS encouragement for all to 90 10
Christ in every age. lie always is. Here is
encouragement TO preach. The opportunity of
salvation is not limited by time, by national
lines nor by the absence Of Christ
s. The Reporter.
St. Matthew gives the account OF the issue of
the commission. he wrote at Rome A. ID. 90,
or 81 years after the event which we study.
lie was present at the time Christ spoke
8. Doctrines.
l. Chrisrs Deity shown by the resurrection,
his being an object of worship ". H. his
eternal existence or Am- ness and his possession
OF all power. 2. The doctrine of the resurrec-
ton. .. Baptism with the form of words to be
used. 4. The distinction Of the Father and
the Son FROM the Holy Spirit, suggesting the
! personality of each of the three 3. The min
istry and call for ordination thereto.
10. Duties Taught.
/ l. Meet Christ at appointed places He had
promised TO meet the Apostles in Galilee The
sanctuary is the special spot where Christ aud
( his people may gather with each other. Give
! heed TO churcn attendance.
?. Worship Christ. (V. IL We must mag
I Nifty the Importance of wOrshipas distinct from
/ preaching. 1t is as needful to get into sympa-
! thy with Christ as it is to be taught new
| truths.
3. Have faith Some doubted" V. III
| 1t will always be so. How people rob them
/ selves Of religious enjoyment by allowing a
/ spirit Of distrust to dim their confidence Want
of faith is misery The fruits of doubt are
/ jealousy, and discontent and hate
/ 4. Trust Christ lie cannot fail We can
never reach straits where he cannot avail lie
has all power.
5. Labor for the world. Here is groundwork
/ for mission enterprise. How can men obey
! Christ's command when they oppose foreign mis-
sons? In "A sense the world Is our parish. We
fail to get into the great cosmopolitan spirit Of
Christianity when we speak dispar8gingly in
any degree of efforts to evangelze all earth.
/ After all, this is a little world. 1t is all our
/ home. There is no foreign part of earth We
are brought together. We realize the common
brotherhood Of mankind and begin to under
4 stand the force of "Our Father" III the Lord S
Prayer. We recall the following incident:
The Duke Of Wellington once met young
/ clergyman who, being aware of his Graces for
mer residence in the East, aud Of his familiarity
with the ignorance and obstinacy of the Fl in
docs in support of their false religion, proposed
/ the following question: Does not your Grace
think it almost useless and extravagant to
preach the gospel to the Hindoos?" The Duke
Immediately rejoined Look, sir, to your
marching orders: Preach sHe gOsDel 10 eyeyy creo-