The National tribune., 1891-08-20
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

Practical Duties Taught by study of the
international sunday-schoOI Lesson APP
pointed FOR Aug. 30, 1891. -. John, : 81
80.
Zone reading these notes should FIRST carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures rs
indicated aboyc.4
SUBJECT: CHEIsr's RECEPTION OF OFFICERS
SENT TO ARREST HnG.
]. Preliminaries
Christ was well known. The common classes
knew him favorabiy; the upper classes knew
him suspiCiOusly, critically, hateiuliy. The
latter coveted every welcome aud attention
which he received. Tine ordinary classes, by
magnifying their hero embarrassed him ia the
presence OF those higher than themselves in
rank and So by their very praises and COM
mendatious and welcomes Of Christ, in reality
endangered has i.ie II was partly because they
became hated by the rulers whenever they
made much OF Christ. that they RETAINED from
speaking out too boldly their cOmmendaiiUus.
and partly because they appreciated Christ and
feared, IL too dem0nstrativo in bis favor, they
might bring harm TO him. Hence " the people
murmurc1 their apprOyal-did not speak
right OUTPUT declared whsperingly or in
under tones We remember Christ at times
charged his people not 70 talk too much about
his acts aud teachings, lest they might stir up
the animos.ty Of his enemies. But the Phai-
sees maintained "a sharp lookout. They were
unwilling Christ should receive the popularity
they themselves craycd. The Pharisees lorded
IL over the people and feared that Christie sue
cess lurchOdo their loss OF power
IL Is plain Jesus was mighty in word as we'll
as in deed. lie surprised hearers By his won
dcrlul knowledge. ~ IT, lie was puzzle
10 his age. HIS elOqueuce could resist even
lc-al warrants The officers sent to arrest him
o. 32) excused their neglect 10 make him a
prisoner by declaring he was irresistible. We
are probably 10 understand his teachings made
him so popular that il was deemed ineNpedieut
oarrcst him. Rulers are obliged to heed some
" bat the sentiments o. the masses.
Prejudice and sclf-iuter.st often oppose the
truth, but never successfully on the long run.
The Pharisees were the leaders Oh the people in
ecclesiastical matters. Christs mission was 10
introduce the new Kingdom which was 20 take
tho place Of the Jewish hierarchy. Hence the
priests could foTesce in Christs success their
own extinction as religious authorities. We
see. therefore, why they sent officers TO take
him. ". 32l They noticed that many Of
the people believed on him." ". 81
2 Place.
We find ourselves in Jerusalem. at the Tenn
pie, within the Court Of the Women. 1t was
place suitable for religious gatherings. il was
an outrage for civil officers 10 intrude where
only order prevailed, where tho speakers words
were in the line Of religious instruction, when
the Prince Of Peace was the Teacher. Wraug-
ling had no place there.
). Tine
II Is said our Savior spoke the words we now
study Oh "the last day, that great day OF the
feast" ". 81 The reference is to the Feast
| OF the Tabernacles-One Of the three grand an
nual feasts of the Jews. It's object was 10 keep
in memory the dwelling OF the Israelites in
tents while journeying through the wilderness
Of Sinai. IL lasted seven days. beginning on
| the 18th of the Jewish month TisTi, correspond
| Ing TO parts of our months Of September and
October. lev, . 33-ll.) The first day and
the last day Of the feast were holy days, the
intermediate days being semi-holidays The
| festival combined two ideas: l. Revival of Is
raelitish life during the exodus out-OIdoors,
aud without settled abOies Of residence. 2.
| THANKSGIVING for all the blessings of the har-
| vest. During the week people abandoned their
residences and lived in tents or in booths made
from branches OF palms, pines, olives willows,
sycamores. In memory Of Moses causing wat
ers to flow from the rock at Sinai, the people
| carried water from the pool Of Sloan TO the
temple and poured IL on the altar. The ocea-
| sion was very joyous, being heightened by mu-
sic, stirring and Of q high order, instrumental,
vocal, antiphOaal, responsive, songs and chants.