The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-05-02
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Notes on the Lesson for May 6
THE Judgment"
from the Chicago Standard. !


thirty-frst to the forty sixth verses.
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES
When. Not IT. He is coming. There is
no u in the Bible as to the second advent
There is no argument as to the fact Not
then. We are not told of the exact time. We
are simply shown the incidents and circum-
stances which shall characterize the time
when NJ last 1t comes, as IL surely will. It is
moments lifting of the curtains of futurity,
an anticipated ringing of eternIty's bells in
heavens last solemn call Mercy makes dis
closure. Snail We be warned by the Gem
passionate divulgence? The city OF Basle
was once about TO be delivered by conspiracy
into the hands of her enemies. The plot was
discovered and tho stronghold saved by the
proyidentially defective striking of the town
clock; 1t tapping one instead of twelve. At
times they celebrate the event by turning
their clocks an hour ahead Of time. Eternity's
dial has here moved forward for us space
or two; how many we do not know. May we
seize the lesson
Then Grace changed to glory He is on
the throne now, the throne OF ms redemptive
grace. Yet his attitude toward the world to-
day is more that of an advocate than of a
judge. He Is the shepherd seeking to-day.
Tomorrow 1t will be az shepherd separat-
ing. He is pleading now; he will sentence
then. You recall the story which, as told by
DR. Chaffee at the last Illinois State annivers-
impression. A younger son went wrong.
His brother, eminent at the bar and doubly
esteemed for his service TO the republic ap-
peared and pleaded for him. For his broth
er's sake the culprit was released from custo-
dy. Again, after some time he disobeyed the
law, and was summoned into court Again
the faithful brother appeared, and, holding
up his empty sleeve, with tears in his eyes,
pleaded for his younger brothers acquittal
The guilty one again went free. Years
naSanH a las At Ia M M har
cended to the bench One day they brought
In again the erring brother on a criminal
charge But the Judges face was stern. 1T
Is too late, he said "As an advocate 1 could
and receive sentence" Sinner, Christ will
one day take the throne.
AL nations. The Moabites? Yes, and the
Moors. The nations of yesterday and the ma
tons OF to-day. The polished Greeks? Yes,
and at the same time the outrageous Gauls,
The benighted heather Of Africal Certainly,
and right along with them the enlightened
heather of America-"dN nations" Is the
word. And to tell the truth, all nations in
their heart OF hearts are anticipating the audi
ence. That Hindu there at the Ganges, that
Chinaman before his little lido, that Ethiopi-
an in his wild frenzy Of fetishism, that Indian
talking TO the moon-each is cnnfessing his
expectation OF the judgment II is only the
headlong nationalist in his study chamber
who doubts the apprehension of future re-
wards and penalties. And he is only doubt
ing II for some one else than himself In his
own conscience he cannot but witness to tho
word. Our present controversies about the
Judgment go long way from home for
their material. If II were not for half-known
people across the water, the occupation Of
Infdelity and Liberalism would be well-nigh
gone
On His right hand-on the left There is a
right and wrong side in heavens audience
chamber. The fallen angels doubtless found
religious
who would teach us otherwise. There Ia,
they teach, but one mood to the divine mind,
and that benevolence; righteousness and
justice but subordinate considerationsi a
one-sided deity, ruled by love. No; God
himself is ruler, and with infinite discretion
and perfect rectitude, he is ever true to him.
self and his own supreme worthiness. There
is with God fright hand" and "left"
There is no doubt as to the directions.
Axioms or space are universal and perpetu-
al Our relation 10 Gods truth to-day de-
termines our attitude in his presence at the
last Keep to the right; but first find it in
Christ
Ye 6lessed-Ye cursed. There are two APP
pellatons at the lost two only There are
two persons before the great judgment
throne, and but two; the blessed and the
accursed. We have ourselves great many
minor distinctions. Seekers, probationers,
victed, half-persuaded, besides the out-and-
out believers and out-and-out unbehevers.
In the light of the great assiZe all lesser diff
ferences will fade and all classes Of minds
will merge into two-the blessed, the &C
cursed To what name, friend, are you ex-
pecting TO respond? Let it be a prayer as
we'll as song:
when thou, my righteous Judge, shall come
To take thy ransomed people home,
Shall 1 among them stand?
Shall such n worthless worm as
Who sometimes am afraid TO die,
BE found at thy right hand2"
Cone-Depart There are but two SEN
fences at the last, one Of acceptance, the
of final award, "Come!" Depart" If there
be another trial, a second probation, we read
nothing of il here; and, II not here, where?
If there is a third direction pointed out by
Gods finger on that great day, a third abode
of continued discipline, a middle estate as IL
must come TO us as by new revelation, for GER
tainly the Old and New Testaments give no
assurance Of it They are ever ringing the
changes on these two words, ~Come!" to the
righteous, ~Dcpartl" to the wicked. The
Bl bic from Moses to John is full of it You
can find naught else.
For I pdS an huRgered. Note the word
for. 1t is intended to explain the two words
come and blessed. Why blessed? because eye
gave me meat" Why invited to enter? Sbe-
cause We gave me drink Blessedness is
beneficence; Christian activity secures divine
acceptance. Where even the Christly spirit
nanifests itself the Christly salvation has
wrought Christ is compassion, and all true
compassion is Christ
When Sdv ere Meey Il Is loves uncon-
sciousness This for the righteous. The same
word, almost, is spoken by the unfalthful In
their case IL is SINS blindness. The man Of
God goes his way answering an inward
prompting from the new life impaired, and
without stopping to consider it no IS putting
out helping hand here and there, every
where. He cannot help it; 1t is the Christ
within him manifosting himself The un-
righteous goes his way Of selfishness, occa-
sionally doing ostensible charity, but answer
ing no appeal for Christs sake. He knows not
God, he knows only the world and the worlds
solicitations. He is simply under the control
of his master, and that inward master is Sa-
tan. We can show YOU a better master.
InoSnuch The Greek says, In so far. Let
II be So As often as we do good for Christs
sake we befriend Christ. Some one criticised
us once for a statement of this kind, calling
attention to the limiting words, @my brethren"
But what is the Limitation. Who are Christs
little brethren? Are they not also the poor
aud needy everywhere? We can do good for
Christs sake 10 all men; and Christ will per-
ceve and honor the intention. write me-"
said Bon Adhem to the angel, "as one who
loves his fellowmen. Presently the roll OF
Gods approval was read. "And 10, Ben
Adhems name led all the rest
Next Lesson, ~The Lords Supper"-Matt.
20: 1880.