The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-15
sunday-schooI Lesson for April 2a

sunday-schooI Lesson for April ee.
Golden Text-.And they that were ready went IN
with him to the marriage; and the door was shut.
DAILY READINGS.
Mon..----.-M Matt. XIV, lib. The ten virgins.
Wee I5sb 2;ss TIE yoa bridsgroom tsrries
Thurs Titus ii, s. Is. Looking for His appearing.
Fri.----.---.------Lukex xii 35-40 Lights burning.
Luke xiii 2230. The door shut.
Sun Col iii. LII. With Him in glory
The marriage customs of the East are peculiar,
and need to be known in order to understand
the meaning of this parable The poets and
painters have done much 20 lead rs assray as to
it's religious purpose. Mere unessential Incl
dents have been magnined to the Importance or
revelations, and the great essential teachings
overlooked. The old customs are so unlike
everything children are familiar with that
time and pains should first of all be taken to
describe genuine Eastern marriage before any
conclusions drawn from the parable.
Marriage engagements there We're made De-
Sween the parents for their children. and little
boys of three or five years of age are formally
engaged to little girls, the parties to be married
when they reach proper age Ths-espousals
are known to all. When the time comes to be
married, then her intended husband goes In
company with his young friends TO the house or
the bride and brings her in great state 70 nls
own house tsee Judges xiv, IL Matt. tx, 10:
John iii, 29.l The bride awaits his coming, she
being dressed in white robes dRev XIX,
81 that are embroidered and per
fum@o tHsa. XIV, 6-15l, ana attonueO
by the young friends as bride msids-
They leave the house time during the
night with songs and music and the procession
starts for the home of the bridegroom. and con-
stanty increases as invited guests join it, all OF
them bearing lighted torches AS they reach
the house the marriage contracts are signed,
and they are ready for the feast, the special
marriage feast in honor of the event Before
this begins the gates of the house are all shut,
and no one is admitted after that event Inc
general festivities may continue for many days,
hr.e 4hn oil iuxf nd rua tz are hnn0F06
with invitations for s'the great feast, and any
neglect to attend it is considered an offense
against the bridegroom.
HINTS AND HELPS TO TEACHERS
Some Test Questions-1. What day does the
word then refer tot Describe the Eastern
lamp. 8. VINO is the bridegroom f. Why are
they called wise" and .'foolish2' 5. What kind
of s'oiI7 was then used2 6. How did they trim
tn eir lamps? z. Vino those who s.selT' the
oilf 8. Who readyi Why was the door
shut
Hints for Glass Talks-1. The kingdom of
heaven. 2. Life waiting for the coming of
Jesus. g. The great follv of sin. 4. .'No oil With
them" s. Oil in the lamp. 6. The midnight
cry of alarm z Go ont to meet him. 8 Our
lamps are gone out. 8. Go, buy for yourselves.
10. They that were ready went in. IL. The
door was shut. IL. Watch, therefore.
SPECIAL APPLICATION.
Since the Lord is coming. aud the day is I'M
known
L We need to be always ready
2. There is time place to do the work of
life in the hour of death.
3. Many will knock. ard be turned away
with an eternal disappointment
Too late, too late; ye cannot enter now.