The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1890-01-29
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
SERIOUS SUBJECTS CAREFULLY AND
ABLY CONSIDERED.

Thoughts worthy Oh saim 4>o"oc
tion-Haif AN Hours study of the scrip
tures-Time Well Spent.
The lesson for Sunday. Feb. 2. may be
found in Luke 2: 25-35.
INTRODUCTORY.
IL Is Christs first entrance into the tenn
pie. the house built in his praise. Notice
how instantly the Holy spirit sets voices
10 singing his greatness aud glory. We
may catch just a hint mere OF the place or
Christ in public worship. Allcenters about
him; all for his sake. In true and clearly
understood sense. all that clusters about
may saw its nunc immittis-now let de-
part. The salvation OF God has come; the
temple sacrifice Is at an end.
WHAT THE LESSON SAYS.
And behold. Noting another remarkable
circumstance connected with the infancy
OF Christ.-A man. Probably otherwise
obscure not so. however. In the spiritual
X ngdom.-simeon. Hebrew form or
Simon; derived from the word to hear. or
listen.--Just and devout; |. O.. both pub
licly and privately righteous Waiting.
In accordance with his name.-Consola-
ton OF Israel. form OF word elsewhere
translated Comforter. also Advocate Para
clete) Holy Ghost. The third person or
the Trinity-already force In the world.
though not as after Christ's death and
resurre elton.
Revealed. peculiar word referring TO
divine communication. The same word
Is used twice of Joseph being warned in
dream. Matt 2: II. 22.-By the Holy
Ghost. he was instructed by the Spirit
Before he had seen. He was expecting to
see two things; death and liie.-The
Lords Chris. More accurately. the
anointed OF the Lord.
Came by the Spirit. Spiritual guidance:
Into the temple. At the appointed
time 1t was doubtless place OF frequent
resource with him.-When. Infinite con-
struction. /. e., in the act OF bringing in.
| TO do for him. Christ fulfilled the re-
quirements OF the law even in the uncon-
scious hours of infancy.-The custom.
The redemption OF the hrst-born enJoined
| at Mum. 49, Is.
Then. At the very time that Christ was
being brought in. probably "a soon as his
| eyes rested upon him. his arms. In
affectionate resard.-Bies ed God. Look
ing up with thank sgiying and prayer; 1t
must have been a scene TO stir the hearts
\ OF the parents.
Lord. Not the usual word for Lord. It
! is here despotss. master.-Lettest thou.
| n OF as Ia supposed equest, but declara-
! ton; now thou art letLing-Depart.
! part of the word just spoken; literally 1t Is.
! Now reeasest thou thy servant in
| peace. Death 20 him does not seem TO DO
dreaded. but a joyous thing According
TO thy word. Evidently what was spoken
by the Holy Ghost was spoken by the Lord
! ". 90.
Prepared. Having probable reference 70
the long series OF providentlal preparations
| in ISraeL-Beioro tho lace. In plain
sight.-All thy people. Applying first OF
/ all TO the chosen nation. but also. as Is i'm
! piled in the succeeding verse, TO those
whom he should call gu: OF all nations.
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES.
Waiting for the consolation OF Israel
We are not surprised 10 read right after
ward, And the HOLY Ghost was upon him
| The word translated consolation here Is
form OF the very word used by Christ him.
self to designate the Comforter or Para
clete (paraklasis). Waiting for the conso-
lation he was already in its joyful embrace.
Tor the comfort OF Christ and the comfort
of the Spirit are one. The coming and de-
parture Of Christ brought not an absolutely
new spirit into tie world. but rather
greater fullness OF the same blessed pirit
that had spoken 20 and through the proph-
cts. John himself possessed OF great gifts
from the Spirit. said OF the Christ. The
same l. he which baptizeth with the Holy
Ghost. And the accent was upon the word
| "baptiZeth.
Revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost.
We have a hint here OF the operations OF
the Spirit prior to the ministry, death and
resurrection of our Lord. Hero as since
there is no intimation as to the personal
manifestation OF that Spirit OF truth and
| here as ever since he speaks not Of HIM
self tut he testihes OF Christ. Has not tina
been the Spirits theme from the very be-
ginning? In Old and New Testament. with
| prophet as with apostle, and in the quiet
whispers OF our hearts he tells us OF the
Lord Jesus Christ. How could IL be other
wise with the saint OF the old dispensation
! or OF the new? For, said Christ, he shall
receive of mine and shall show it unto YOU
When did the Holy Spirit begin TO receive
OF Christi When did he begin to show him
forth and glorily him?
He came by the Spirit into the temple.
The Holy Spirit in revelation and the Holy
| Spirit in Providence. First he was telling
this ready soul about Christ: now he Is
leading him where he cannot bW find him.
Gods Spirit is guide as we'll as com orter.
He stoops 10 take our hand in the SEEM
ingly trifing journeys OF life and leads US
here and there, as we submit ourselves to
his direc ion, always for Christ's sake. Tho
influence that led US into the humble meet
ing-house or the warm- hearted prayer
room was the same as that which had long
been whispering OF Gods love and yet OF
our own unworthness. and the voice that
found us there at last and brought us to our
peace was also voice sent OF the Holy
Spirit. Trust the Spirit. He means 20 do
well by US. His will is 10 bring US al TO the
Father.
A light to tighten the Gentiles and the
glory OF thy people Israel. Better TO be
lighted by the beams than TO be simply
honored by the splendid presence. The
Jew is as yet Ike the hand that holds tho
candle stick and rests under its trowning
shadow. while the light shines all around
TO iumine and cheer. We were crossing
the Mississippi at night. 1t was dcnsey
black all about us, and our party on the
|
slow, cautious moving OF the engine on
ahead and the creaking OF the cables
stretched above US. Suddenly a glow OF
funnel shaped light came across the water
and we were presently bathed in its white
brilliancy. But the point from which it
came was only denser shadow OF great
darkness. 1t was the search light OF an I'M
seen vessel somewhere below the river.
Somehow il set our thoughts in the direc-
tion OF this text
That the thoughts OF many hearts may be
revealed. Just this has been on OF the
most remarkabls results OF the Christ ad-
vent in the world. Jesus has opened the
soul gates. Indifferentism and stoicsm
found philosophical directorship In him !;
neither did their opposites. He came TO
Law mems hearts bare, and reveal the
secrets OF their minds. not only 10 them
selves. but in part to others. To MANY he
was a vague hope made real to others a
fear made Increasingly distinct and pres
emit In any case. no one could. with eye
and lin. at once. gainsay him. In his pres
ence the woman Of Samarla finds herself
: confessing tine whole ad past. ON the
, other hand. Zacheus. under his gaz". PUTS
into irrevocabe resolve the pious prompt
inus OF his awakened conscience. Peter
tells IL all. and PLATE. too. u ing men to
Christ IN know what ia In them