Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1890-08-21
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
SERIOUS SUBJECTS CAREFULLY
CONSIDERED.

thoughts worthy OF Gam HenoCtion-~
Half an Hours Study OF tho Scriptures
-Time Well Spent
The lesson for Sunday, Aug. "a, may DO
found In Luke IS: 1-I4.
WHAT THE LESSON SAYS
He spake. Also Is to be added, thus con-
Meeting this conversation closely with that
which has preceded ii In the signs OF the
Kingdom. The word Is In the imperfect
tense, was speaking; as IL OF protracted ex-
position. TO this end. Not In the Greek
expressly, but implied In the proposition
pros.-Always to pray, l. e., to keep on
praying, to persevere I'm prayer.---Not 20
faint. Or grow weary, faint-hearted; 80
giving up. IL Is this word that Paul uses at
Gal. 9: o; LET us not be weary I'm we'll
doing, for In due season we shall reap IL we
faint not"
In city judge. Literally, in a certain
city certain judge.-Feared not God. Wo
get n clue to the proper meaning OF the verb
here by comparing IL with the companion
word regarded, which Is the same sentiment
In Its expression manward. The Significance
OF the latter is TO be lowlY and humble In
anothers presence.
widow. Having no respect for the
presence OF either man or God, he would
naturally have none for defenseless widow.
She came unto him. Or kept coming.
Imperfect tense. Our Lord is suggesting an
extreme case, where answer to appeal would
be least expected.-Avenge me. Or secure
Justice. 1t was not so much retaliation as
her own rights she was seeking.-My ad-
versary. Or opponent, 1. g., in a suit. A
form OF the same word translated, avenge,
above.
He would not for time. The arbitrari-
ness of judge who wholly ignored tho
meaning of his office.-Afterward, l. e.,
after the woman kept coming. Though
fear. In spirit OF brayado, accepting the
harsh estimate at which he was held.
Troubleth me. Three words I'm the Greek,
occasions me annoyance.-Avenge her.
Do her justice. Why should itcver be with
held by judge or jury?--By her continual
ally and expressively.- coming.
Everlasting coming g!-She weary me. In
expressive Greek idiom, she beat me black
and blue, or give me a black eye. The same
word used In 1 Cor. 0: %. 81 keep under
my body" 1. O., beat it down.
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES.
Men ought always TO pray. Over the en-
trance to the English Girls Home In Paris,
on white marble tablet, are these words:
"Asked of God, Aug. II, 1874
"Given Of God, May 0, 1875.
"Surely the Lord is In this place."
1t tells the fruit OF faith and prayer on
the part OF one woman, who beheld a great
need, and asked God-herself fully en-
listed-to supply it. What a gracious ad-
vantage is this that the Christian enjoysl
He can lift his cry to God at any time, and
God hears and helps. "Behold he praycth"
that is mans best commendation with tho
Lord of the universe. Why not be often
found I'm prayer? Surely we shall, il we de-
sire much help from God.
And not to faint. Nil desperandum
should be the Christians motto. He has
occasion for 1t. lady missionary in North
Africa came upon a Mohammedan who,
her hands, would hear not a word about
lea ftror l.fa 0,..r a..t
his ears. But she breathed a prayer, and
then, undismayed, said: "Let me tell you
n tale!'
Moors dove stories, and he was willing to
listen. Many others gathered round, too,
who had heard what had passed. / said:
"Once there was poor man who had q
great enemy. This enemy was stronger
than he was, and one day he caught him
and put him I'm a dungeon I'm the ground.
The prison was far away under the earth,
and without windows, and the door opened
into dark tunnel. And there he shut him
up in total darkness.
"The poor prisoner was young then, but
many years passed, till his hair turned
white, and he was about sixty years old
(the old man 1 was speaking to seemed
about that age, and had long, white
beard). Then, In a far-of country the
servants of a king, who was as good as he
was great, heard of this poor man so long
and their hearts were filed
with pity. Their king, too, longed to save
him, and he asked who would go to try to
release the prisoner.
"Many offered, and those who were ready
the King sent. They travelled a long way
sSrs sS ana AID tesy %s al length they
reached the dungeon. Then they COM
menced TO dig. BY day and night cease
lessly they worked until, at length, into the
depths of that dark prison there shone somo
rays of Gods own blessed sunshine.
"And the prisoner-was he glad? Did he
thank them? Oh, no! he pulled his old rags
over his face, and cried:
" 1t hurts! IL hurts take IL away!
never finished my little story, for the old
mans face, which had been slowly softening
while spoke, now broke into a smile; and,
turning TO the others. he said:
"She means me. am the pooTprisoner."
Then, to my joyful surprise (Ok. ye of lit
tie faith), he said to me: "Tell me all you
like now about your Sidna Aisa, and will
listen"
Prayer and patience had prevailed. Alas,
that we should ever grow faint-hearted In
work for God
Day and night. There is no set time for
supplication. The gates of prayer are al
ways open. Well spoke DIR. Guthrie;
"Among all the means of grace-scrmons,
Sabbaths, Providence, Gods
Word, either read or preached-the greatest
In some respects is prayer. Nor men nor
devils can shut its gates. When every other
avenue TO God is closed, these stand OPEN
day and night continually. The storm of
may drive us from the house OF
God; the voice of preachers may be silenced
I'm prisons; the church may exc5mmunicate
and debar us from the communion table;
the Bible, plucked from our hands, may be
burned 10 ashes I'm popish fames: all this
has happened, and may happen again.
These are avenues which men may close;
not thus the door of prayer"
God be merciful to me n sinner. Sufficient
appeal. Strongest OF supplications before
the throne CT God, for was not mercy given
for the sake OF snners7 You and
your pastor have comparatively little diff
Guilty I'm leading confessed sinners into
the kingdom. IL Is the complacent model
men and women OF the community thu give
us anxiety. II only we can hear this neigh
Dor of ours calling himself a sinner and
making his prayer to God on that ground,
we have perfect confidence regarding him.
Says Talmage; ut was the sublimest pray
er ever heard. 1 saw nothing I'm Milton as
fne." And this was the prayer, stammer-
ngly uttered; 20 Lord, thou knQw6st how
hard Il Is fot me 60 do right, and how easy
Il is for me 20 do wrong. Lord help mel"
The publican's prayer Is still the potent
prayer.
Next Lesson-"Entering the Kingdom"
Luke IS: 1890.