The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1890-02-14
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON ron
FEBRUARY 1S.
Lesson Text: Tho Ministry OF John.
Luke u, 722-Goldcn Text: Matt.
ILL.,, 2.-Commentary on the
Lesson.

2. ''Then said He TO the muItItude that
came forth 10 be baptized OF Him." He had
not come forth from the wilderness of His
own accord, He did not run without being
s,nt, for the word Of God came unto Him in
the wilderness (vcrse q and He came forth at
His command. We should always be sure
that God is calling, and not enter upon any
work simply because we think it right to do
goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him,
for they know His voice John K. ~.
80 generation of vipers! tR. ", yo Off
spring of vipers) who hath warned you to fee
from the wrath to come? Matt. ill.,, z, says
that he addressed these words to the many
Pharisees and Sadducees who came to his
baptism. They were the religious people of
the day, fully described by Jesus in His eight
woes in Matt. xiii. and by the Spirit in
Acts xiii, s. Tho religion of the former was
all outward, to be seen by men, while their
hearts were full Of hypocrisy and iniquity
Matt. xiii. 2S); the latter denied the resur
rection and that there were angels or spirits.
Jesus called them by the same name as John,
devil, the father Of Les John viii, AZ.
8. "Bring forth, therefore, fruits worthy
Of repentance" They trusted in the fact that
they were descendants Of Abraham, and
therefore the promises 10 hhiur were -sstfe to-
them: they cid not see that in order to be
true children Of Abraham they must believe
as he believed and live as he lived. They
We're like those in our day who think that, be-
cause they have been baptized in infancy and
In due time confirmed, therefore they are
Christians and sure Of heaven, no matter how
they live.
Q. Every tree therefore, which bringeth
not forth good fruit is hewn down and cast
into the fire." Jesus used the very same words
and taught the same truth in His parable of
the barren fig tree Uuke xiii, go. In tho
creation the word to every living creature
was. "Be fruitful and as fS s's ~
2S). To the disciples Jesus said: Herein is
Ny Father glorfied, that yo bear much fruit"
10, II. "ThSpeople (R. W, the multitudesl
asked him, saying "What shall we do, thenp"
Having heard His words to the religious lead
ers, the common people ask what message He
goodness, did not display their religion, per.
haps felt that they had none to speak Of; they
were the working people, and it required oil
their efforts to earn enough and keep body and
soul together; but they had heard the cry tc
repent, for the kingdom was at hand; they
= 6sd come to be baptized and now how can
they show their sincerityS The answer is, BY
doing good with just what they have.
IL, l3 "Then came also publicans to be
baptized, and said unto Him, Master what
shall we doy' These were the tax collectors,
whose temptation, and perhaps custom. was
to collect more than the regular tax, SO that
their own pockctc might be well lined. They
were apt to be thieves and covetous Il Cor
vi. 1W, and for them John has by the Spirit
just the right word. Rich Zaccheus chief
among the publicans, seems to acknowledge
that lie had made a good deal of money in
this way, but when Jesus came to his house
repentance by restoring fourfo,d to every
one whom he had wronged" luke K ix., 81.
II. And the soldiers likewise demanded
Of Him, saying: And what shall we doY' His
answer to them is nearly in the words OF
Micah vi, s: DO justly, love mercy and
walk humbly with thy God" and reminds u,
of Paul's words to Timothy: Goodness with
contentment is great gain; having
food and raiment let us be Herewith con
tent Il Tim. vi, 9, y. SO they all got. il
just they needed, and We can fancy tlue
looks of each party as they swallowed their
own medicine and then watched the Others
taking theirs
15. "An men unused in their hearts of John