The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-12-04

Thoughts Worthy of Calm Renec-
tion-Haif an Hours Study of the Scrip
tures-Time We'll Spent.
The lesson for Sunday. Dec. s. may BIO
found in l Kings 10: 1-l3.
INTRODUCTORY.
We are granted here picture or the re-
lations be,wee Israel and the neghboring
nations in the halcyon days OF Solomon.
famed queen comes from the Tar south.
from "AIaby the blest." TO acknowledge the
greater eminence OF the king and TO pay
him homage, on Mount Zion This is the
central lesson: the superiority OF Gods
kingdom TO ali other kingdoms. The kings
ana queens OF Garth bring tribute TO 10.
Christ is the expectation OF the world. So
says the I'D Psalm. The kings OF Tarshish
and OF the Isles shall bring presents; the
kings OF Sheba and cha snail offer gifts.
Yea, all kings shall fall down before him.
Are you acknowled ing him. serving himr
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES.
The fame OF Solomon concerning the
name of the Lord. The fame OF Solomon
and the name Of the Lord are here closely
associated. To hear OF the kings fame
was 10 honor Gods name. Solomons
greatness was all for the Lord as il WAS all
from the Lord. and the wisdom he dis
played and the majesty that was his did
never else than magnify the God who gave
It. Is IL not thus that we are To stand be-
fore the world? Our fame. our blessedness
deemed us. You are to let your light so
shine before men that they may see your
good works. and glorify your Father which
is In heaven. Christians ought not, then,
TO be satisfied with present attainments.
The more grace in US the more glory for
God. BE good. be great. for Jesus sake!
To prove him with hard questions. Thus
they came to Jesus, but not so ingenuously.
Always were they seeking to prove him.
tempt" him. 1t was TO catch him in his
L." hnNe 10 4. IlnNN
approached him that day in the temple.
And they proved him, and at the same
time, since base was their motive. entapgled
themselves in their talk. Notice the prac-
teal and searching wisdom OF our Lords
reply: why tempt We me! bring me PEN
NY" And then with this simple object
lesson before their eyes he showed them
with the penetration OF a philosopher and
the aptness of sagacious man OF affairs
how their questions might answer them
selves. At every point where the enemies
OF Christ approached him he met them and
allowed them TO prove him. And that
proof was not simply for them but for US.
TO silence all cavil and 70 in iisputably de-
clare to all generations that IA greater than
Solomon Is here"
There was not any th ing hid from the King
which he told her not. 1t suggests the di-
vine communicatveness. II facts could
convert the world then the world would
long ago have been CONVEX ed. If logic
WOulu pcTsuale men lnen the WoTk OF LDS
kingdom were soo1 done. But truth is
more than fact an more than logic. 1t has
subjective aspect; II implies personal ac-
ceptance. Paul says, The invisible things
OF him from the creation OF the worll are
dearly seem, and from this Bishop Fallows
has aptlv enfoic d the difficulties OF unhe-
lief" How iatuOus ami yet how familiar
sounds that query OF the Jews when Jesus
walked in Solomon porch. How long
dost thou make us 10 doubt? II thou be the
y tall N lair lu A. III nH wars T1-
sponsible Tor mems doubts; as If God ad
not told plainly in his word and works
Well does Christ answer: Il told you and
! we believed not; the works that / do in my
| Fathers name. they bear witt ess OF me-"
And then, as putting the finger upon
the secret OF all unfaith: But We
believe not because We are not Of my
| sheep, as i said unto you.
Tho attendance OF his ministers. 1t is
| well, once in while. to get right back TO
the derivation OF words. 1t is the standing
of Gods ministers that is spoken of here.
and the fact that the word occurs right
after this expression: the sitting OF his
| servants, does not withdraw in any degree
| from the pertinence or the message. Ev-
! eryone in his place before God. Perhaps
| there are too many sitting around who
! ought 10 be standing and doing. There are
| those who are to sit and await the Kin 8
! call, and there are those who. being sum
moned and assigned to prescribed duties.
!
ding. How beautiful the odor of that
] Kings court. that church OF Christ. where
! all eyes are on the King and everyone is a
minute-man to do his Masters pleasure!
l believed not the words until came.
| Such is the Christians experience. There
are a great many believers and doubters in
! the land. They have heard Jesus say.
| Learn OF me-, and perhaps, in something
| of sincerity they have tried to do so. But
! they have kept at too great distance.
/ NI.N
Come unto me-" To tell the truth. we
! none Of us believe" until we come" It is
| first obedience, then confidence; first the
faith Of submission. then the faith Of assur-
ance. No man is going 70 see his doubts
! put away so long rs he remains apart from
the great doubt-dispeller. He might as
well thrust his head into sack and ask fol-
! light. Let him come where light is. When
the light comes in. the dark" goes out. Ii
! is not by the solving of difficulties that we
! find our way TO Christ. We first find Christ
and then the doubts vanish. he that re-
| ceived his testimony" said John the Bap-
list. hath set to his seal that God is true.
! Mark you. he first receives, then seals
! Restful conviction follows trustful acqui-
escence. This is why John is saying i'm
| mediately aiterward. so confidently. H,
| that believeth on the Son hath everlasting
! life
Because the Lord loved Israel forever
therefore made he thee king. What greater
|
| Not that the Lord loved this servant ab ov,
all other men and hence he elevated him
! That is the way we mortals look at it some
times. Rather is il that God loved the
people AMI hence in kindness to them anC
! in iurtherance OF their interests he CAV,
them a worthy leader. 1t was thus will
David. thus indeed with John the Baptist
Luther. Wesley, Carey. What happo
epitaph for u good pastor or teacher: The
Lord loved Israel forever, therefore made
he thee king.
All her desire. whatsoever she asked. w,
ali have desires, but all do not take the
pains to go and express them. Yet it i;
only those VINO come asking that have
their desires fulfilled. 1t was "a long. hare
journey for the Queen OF Sheba TO make
and doubtless as the slow-moving cameii
strobe along over the desert sand tina
] interviewed there were many days OF hea
and we lriness. But think of the return
! journey. What recompense, what JOY
Brother. friend, you have deep desire
there in your far country. That desire is
as il were, a messenger sent to summon
you 10 the King for its fuldllment. o. come
1 10 him with your worriments and wants
1t NAV be with difficulty. but come and tel
him your need. Did he not himself saw
Ask end IL shall be given you: seek and "
shall find; knock and it shall be opened
INTO you, For every one that asketh re-