Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1890-02-27
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
AN INTERESTING AND INSTRUCTIVE
LESSON CONSIDERED.

Reflections OF an Eievating Character
Wholesome Food for Thought - Study
ing the Scriptural Lessons Inteiligentiy
and Probably.
The lesson for Sunday. March 2. may be
found In Luke iv.. 1882.
INTRODUCTORY.
We find Jesus In this lesson FULLY launch
ed upon his ministry. Galilee Is the center
and. In sense, the commencement OF
Christs labors was there. That Is, ne
there began to publicly preach tho King.
dom, But between the events OF the last
lesso and those OF the one before us many
interesting Incl Tents in the life of Christ
have occu red. for the narration OF which
we are Indebted in the main to Johns gos-
pei It seems to have been Immediately
a ter his temptation that Christ appeared
again upon the banks OF the Jordan and
began the calling of his disciples. John and
Cana OF GalIlee comes next, Christ having,
as 1t appears, returned home at onco. But
not to remain long. John 2: 10. Present.
ly We see him In Jerusalem intimating the
presence OF now and fearless prophet by
casting the money changers out OF the tens
pie. Hero, according to the same gospel.
he wrou, hit miracles and was visited by
Nicodemus. On his way to the north again
Jesus asses through Samaria and talks
with the woman at tho WELL Reaching Gall
lice aEain, no heals the noblsman's son at
Capernaum John 4; 46-54). going thence to
his native city, Nazareth, which brings us
to our present less on.
WHAT THE LESSON SAYS.
Nazareth. One of the small interior
towns OF Gallee, not far from Cana. whore
Christ went with his family to a wedding
shortly after his baptism. working there
his first miracle. 1t was the place where
Jesus had spent by far the largest part OF
his life. 1t Is some distance from Caper-
naum. from which city Christ has but lately
started on this his first circuit D. Galilee.
Had been trou2ht up. The Greek ex-
preston is peculiar and at the same time
a strong one. AS nearly as ii can be ren-
dered 1t is, whore he was during his bring.
ing up. Verb and perfect participe.l -
AS his custom. By its position in the
original this belongs particularly to the
verb which follows: !. g.. it was his custom
to attend worship in the synagogue.-
Synagogue. The place OF popular religious
study and worship since the days OF the
captivity. The Sabbath day. Our Lords
resTect for the day set apart for holy
things.-Stood up to road. On the, bema.
or raised platform, where the reader al
v7ys took his stand
oreach. Herald forth as glad an
nouneement t-Acceptable year. Propi-
tious or happy. Usually applied to the yea"
OF Jubilee. Here 1t means the time OF gra-
OF this is very similar to that conveyed by
the angels at Bethlehem. Goodwill toward
men," or men In whom he is we'll pleased
(Revision) Luke 2; IN
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES
He found the Dllce. The incarnate Word
searching for the written word. What con-
descension was there! The Son OF God
humbling himself to find our level OF life
and living, putting himself under the lim'-
thtlons to which earthly minds are subject,
unrolling the book his own ineffable spirit
hai penned until he finds the reading and
laa hf Ns.lIx N..f~~
OF human speech that we call Letters. The
other day our friend was telling rs OF n
tat5arap4JnaihiJ.l lalGd at o RI1rrRh tnIaGfiv
evenings while he is absent studying such
awkward signs and symbols OF language as
must be used by thos whose tongues are
halt. } hey are abasing I iemselves for loves
sake TO the lad's level of speech that they
NAV talk With him. See the Lord OF glory
hnding the place in the book. Was he not
doing the same when. cross burdened, he
climbed Golgotha. finding the place on
earths scroll2
Tho Spirit OF the Lord is upon me- Here
We have the siIns of the Spirit. when that
Spirit has unhindered sway. And what are
theyp gospel for the poor. healing for
the broken hearted. deliverance for cap
tive souls. enlightenment for blind eyes,
liberty for tho down-trodden. What a
blessed reign is the reign OF the Spiritl
Have We yet seen such at its full? Now
and then the Spirit is received by pastor
and people, and st<aishtway we see the
poor brought into an apprehension of the
help the gospel has for them. Some an
gu shed hearts are comforted. some dark
enod minds illumined. some oppressed
backs set free. But. oh, to see IL wholly
so and continuously so! Then should we
realize the acceptable year OF the Lord
Let US keep on praying thy kingdom
como till not in part or in measure, but
always and everywhere. In one heart and
In all hea to, the mind Of the Shirt shall
This day Is this Scripture fulfilled in your
ears. Is 1t? This Scripture is fulfilled for
you when upon the mental and moral Wis on
there rises smitten form, on whom you
see the wounding marks of your transzres-
sioas, the chastisement OF your peace upon
him. Look uD and away fom the world
an self. You see the Christ with the book
In his hand. Your eyes are fastened upon
him. You wonder at the gracious words
that proceed out OF his moutf And what
OF 1t all You are ready. like those Naza-
renes OF old. to turn your back upon him
and to cast him out OF your heart. But
wait. Look again and see him lifted up.
the thorn-print on his brow. the mark OF
the nail in his hand, the love OF soul that
has utterly given itself for you in his eye.
When you begin TO descry such an One, in
telligentiy, heartily. then one more pow
erty-stricken heart is having the gospel
preached unto 1t: one more burdened soul
is going tree. Your acceptable time has
come. and this Scripture is blessedly full
filled for you.
Thrust MIN out Who would do so heart
less thing? Any one. Any one who re-
jects his message. The young man or
young woman who listens to the appeal OF
this lesson and refuses to accept the real
subject OF appeal. the Lord Jesus Christ. Is
actually thrusting him out OF the heart.
Yea. Is taking him to the edge OF the cruel
steep. as it were, TO cast him over. We
fear not for the Divine Son OF God. But. o
child OF earth. how often. think You. will he
brook such ingratitude and such indi Snity2
It is. alas. yourself that may be thrust out
and cast away. and that by your own hand.
Went his way. There is deepsuggestive-
ness In the picture sketched by these few
lines. They rose up to cast him out and
were with him even to the cliffs edge,
thinking to hurl him over. He let them 90.
They thought they we're taking him. but he
was taking them; bringing them out where
they might catch glimpse OF HIS majesty
and power. Poor impotents. hear them
speaking In their blindness and hardness
OF heart. See vs. have him in our control.
On to the cliff We will make an end OF
this prophet" Suddenly there is silence
on the mob. The Christ moving acquies-
Gently along has all at once turned and
looked upon them. strange awe comes
over them. They are breathless. nerveless