The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1890-03-19

were Ouere0 10 al Wltn0ut LILLE preparation auo
condition.
LESSON POINTS. great need. The
case of this man was pitiful, and most
probably hopeless. He had doubtless
tried many doctors, but all in vain; none
could help, much less heal. If he was
to be healed, Jesus must do 1t, or he
must remain all the rest Of his life q
hopeless paralytic. In many respects
the case Of the sinner is an exact
parallel to that Of this poor man. The
sinner can by no means help himself.
In many cases great effort has been
made to break away from the bondage
of sin, and to undo that which has been
done, but all in vain. Friends can not
give any assistance; and the case Of the
sinner, unless help comes from above,
is as desperate as that of the man in
our story. Jesus must help, or ell is
vain. But notice in the story:
The great help. First, the mans
spiritual wants are met, and then with
single word his bodily ailments are
cared for; SO that, though his friends
had to carry him to that house, he would
have been able to carry any one Of them
home with him on his back. As in all
the other cases that we have studied,
his cure was immediate and complete.
So, too, in the case of the sinner. When
he brings all his woes to the blessed
Master, he receives full and free pardon.
Jesus never forgives some sins, while
1t the same time He declines to pardon
others. Al or none is His rule. When
at the first the sinner receives pardon,
he is as fully pardoned as he will be
million years hence. And not only so,
but he has the strength given him to
walk in the Christian way forever after.
The fact that many Christians do not
avail themselves Of this power does not
prove that it is not given, but only that
they do not now make use Of 1t. It
proves their folly and nothing more. It
was because OF this power that Paul
was able to say: II can do all things
through Christ that strengthened me. I"
Here lies the secret Of the power Of the
sinner. BY Divine help the drunkard
stands firm, the gambler is reformed
and sinners Of every kind are estab-
lished. Because they refuse this help
Christians stumble and are brought to
confusion.
The conditions under which Christ
gave this help. There was in this, as in
all cases where He wrought . miracle, q
felt sense of need. This sense Of need
may have varied in the different cases,
but in all eases it was enough to bring
the sufferer to the Master. So in the
case of the sinner, there must be felt
sense OF need or the Saviour will never
undertake cure. Mark, it Is not how
much we feel our need, but do we feel II
enough to induce US to 60 to Him for
the help that He can give. A scholar
recently said to me: II am afraid
have not faith enough" Never mind
the degree Of your faith; If it brings
you to Jesus all will be we'll.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
1. Sin is like paralysis weakness Of
will, deafness Of conscience, hard to
cune, ending In death.
Q. The only hope Of care is going Ia
Jesus Christ.
s. We should do all We can to bring
others K, Christ.
4. DIFFICULTIES should not deter us, but
we should use enterprise and skill in
overcoming them.
8. Difficulties are in the way 10 prove
and to strengthen our faith.
9. We prove 0r faith by acting
upon it.
Z. The proof of forgiven sin is re-
newed lives.