Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1890-04-17
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
ENTERTAINING DISSERTATION ON
SERIOUS SUBJECTS.

6IMnO-
The lesson bor Sunday. April 20. may be
found In Luke z: 36- 80.
INTRODUCTORY.
IL Is to Luke again that We are indebted
for this beautiful incident In our Savior's
life. Such an iacidenti IL Is as would deeply
impress the large minded. tender Srted
man whom we call the Beloved Physician
The lessor taught is lesson OF responsive
love. Responsive. mark you. The beauti-
ful lines OF Hartley Coleridge probably con-
vey the impression usually first gotten from
the passage:
She sat and wept, and with her untressed hair
Still wiped the feet she was so blessed to touch
And he wiped of the soiling OF despair
From her sweet soul, because she loved sc
And yet 1t is not much love that saves.
but much trust. Otherwise we might come
to lean on human works and human feel
ings. Her love but witnessed TO that grace
that was hers, it was the fruit itself Gods
Spirit impaired. We are to keep in mind
the emphatic words with which the lesson
closes. Thy faith hath saved thee; go In
peace"
WHAT THE LESSON SAYS.
One OF the Pharisees. Christ had not yet
incurred the fiSrcer enmity OF this SUPER
cilious sect.--Desired him. or asked. The
motive OF the invitation is seen to have
been not of the besL--Eat with him. A
semi-public reI asst giving large opportunity
Tor the indulgence OF such curiosity as the
ToCoub - COT Oh our LOTu nHQ 0Acllcus---
He went. Marking the ready, acqutesce mt
spirit OF Christ--Sat down to eat. One
word In the Greek. reclincd.
Behold. note OF surprise.--A woman.
The gr m natical government OF this word
Is dubious. 1t see ms TO stand almost In the
case absolute as coming after the exclami :
tlon, "beholll" |. e., Lo, womanl--A
sinner. Not necessarily an abandoned
pers perhaps no moRe than GENTLE.
but ordinarily taken in its wo ser significa-
tion. she knew. Or sim Dly ascer-
tained (pai ticiple). The event would be
taxed of outside on the street, from which.
indeed. gllmpses OF the feast might be had.
--Alabaster box. A similarly precious
flask was broken for him later mark IA: 81
by Mary. the sister OF Lazaru5,-Oint-
ment perfuming oil.
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES.
He went into the Pharisee's house. Je us
was no recluse. He went where he was
hidden. His presence at the wedding
feast in Carna proved this at the very out
set OF his ministry Nor was he. like some
OF his followers. overfastidious OF his
presence la Ill surroundings or In unhal-
lowed places. 1t was not necessary thu
holy water should be sprinkled at Lewis
table as he sat down with publicans and
sinners; nor that a special guard should be
placed about him. because the Pharisee
was not in whole hearted sympathy with
him. The truth which spoke from him and
In him was a sufficient talisman. He went
everywhere that the door opened for him,
tina the truth might there be manifested ;
with Infinite tact and charity. seeking
everywhere to save. Has the church fully
leai ned this lesson OF the Master?
Behold n woman in the city which was o
sinner. A woman: a sinner! There seems
to be sort OF shudder or shrug OF the
shoulders along with the very words,
graphic and luminous as they are. Right
there In that convivial assembly social
outcast. spot in tire feast was she. Why
had she come? 1t is a feeling too familiar;
altogether hateful, we believe. to God. Why
shoult she not be there? Hers was the
noed. Christ's the supply for that need. Why
should not the sick seek tho Great Physi-
clan? That is touching story told OF John
b. Cough. Sitting in the church one day.
q man camo in and took the seat behind
him. whom he could not but wish had gone
elsewhere. His dress uncouth. his figure
uncomely. his face all awry-what in the
world dill he want in such placer But he
evidently enjoyed the service. and present.
ly when they sang he tried In poor. STUN
bling fashion. TO Join in. During the inter-
lude no leaned forward and murmured:
Would you be kind enough TO tell me the
next verse. sir? think / know it,. Just
as am. poor. wretched. blind" Mr.. Cough
whispered back. feeling more kindly.
That's it. that's i'll" said the stranger. I'm
Sight riches healing OF the miEd,
YEA all / want in thee find.
0, Lamb OF God. 1 come"
have somewhat to say unto thee. What
ever your thought. Jesus has an answer
for you. message to your heart II you
will receive It. Are you troubled about
some Inconsistency OF the Christian life 2
Christ has something to say to you about
that. Is there some obscurity in the word
Take IL to Christ. He has something to say
you regarding IT, Have you a doubt as 10
the reality Of his power. the integrity Of his
claim? Let him speak to you. Are you
harboring bit OF infidelity regarding him
Be assured he knows IL. and he stands
over against you saying: Il have some
what to say unto thee" IL you desire de-
liverance. II you seek light and life. let this
on. on OD' A'HA'''
See thou this woman7 tits loves object
lesson. What an illustration this woman
gives OF the truth he would speak. sermon
always has double force II we call on eye
as we'll as ear. and as il were thrust In be-
tween the line upon line tacit -seest thou
this"-it may be man. woman. child who IL
even now living the truth. You recall the
English missionary who sat by the sick
there, 1T is not in the Book. God does not
care for me-" 20. but he does" said the
visitor. turning the pages OF his Bible, GOD
is love. have read it with my own eyes.
But he could not. somehow. find II. Back
and forward he searched. but In vain. Pres
nearest manse2" Fourteen miles" was
the answer, and he was gone. Late in the
day he knocked at the distant min tster
house. is the master ln?. No. said the
girl, hes away" 20. I wanted to know
where in the Book Il says God is love- til
for a sick woman Come in said the
girl. Il found salvation through them same
words, and here they are. l John 4: s..
Thank you" said the missionary. and HI
was of. In the evening he stood again be-
IL he'd suarn q ha nj
Seven hours walking have brought m'
back with the written proof that God II
love. Seven hours. did you sayp" an
swered the sick woman, and with sever
hours walking, did you think needed an!
other proof that God Is lover"
For she lov3d much. Here is love proving
love. Her great love is n pledge that God
still greater love has wrought for the for
giveness OF sins. IL is not that God ha
| forgiven her because OF her affection. bu
| God has first forgiven her and hence sh
| feels and expresses love. Her conduct 1
| not the cause but the result OF forgtvinI
| grace. Her soul Is already redeemed. Wha
! Is the testimony Of our lives? Do we tel
| by the spirit OF our daily acts OF grea
and gracious forgiveness? II we have
full and complete redemption from tn
Lord. assuredly our love and loyalty to hir
| will show itself I'm manifold ways. Our sma
devotion gives token OF but small portion \
| the Lord. Let US draw nigh to God; the
will tho life tell more Of his goodness an
| grace.
Next Lesson: The Parable OF the sower.