The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1891-09-02
Lesson for Sunday, September q, John
4: 31-47.
INTRODUCTORY.

INTRODUCTORY
| Wherever we meet with Jesus he Is MASTER
| ly. Is he healing the sickY is he comfort
ing the sorrowing9 Is he reasoning with
his enemies2 Everywhere he IS hawless,
perfect Here we have an example OF our
Saviors argument. 1t is unanswerable.
And the question with which the lesson ends
! still stands rs IA quenchless challenge to the
world. (which Of you convinceth me of
sin?n SPECIFICS we are And what then
is the conclusion? II without sin, then he
Is what he claimed to be. the Son OF God.
And what am /? One OF two things either
a rebel or disciple. Which is IL?
WHAT THE LESSON SAYS.
Then said Jesus /. e., when "many be-
iieved (professedly) on him" In Tlschen-
DORIS Greek text the Both verse is para
| graphed with this as properly introducing
It. The word said Is imperfect, kept saying
or began to say-Believed Greek had
believed, had professed belief.-Disciple
indeed. Greek, Truly disciples Of mine.
The truth. Same word used in the clause
before ("disciples indeed" l. O., truly
Make you free. Or, free you. See Rom. 81
| IS.
Answered him. Literally, to him, the
I proposition pros being exceptionally thrown
In here as If to express attitude.-Never
in bondage. Doubtless "A favorite delusion
! of the Jew.
Servant Same word as is found in the
term bondage just used. awe were never in
effect; aye are in bondage to SIM
Forever. Greek, els ton aloha, eternally.
Ever. Same as forever in the original,
!. o., eternally.
II the son. In DIR. COnant's rendition the
last clause OF the preceding verse is con-
nected with this. See variations.-Free
In reality. The Greek word is being, pres
ent participle adyessts'ly used. j. e., in
actual life.
My word. The word ny is put In an en-
phatic position, the word, my word.-No
place. From the verb, meaning room or
space. Capacity IS the sense of it. 1t Is
this same verb shat IL used in John 2: @, OF
the water-pots containing two or three fir
kins apiece"
With my Father; 1. O., In company
with. Proposition para, intimating close
relationship. Indeed, at Mark 81 81, the
mere proposition itself points to friendship
or kinship. "His friends" or kindred.
(Margin. Creek Those with him. And
ye The ye is accented. See Variations
here. "The father
Abraham Is our father. A strong express
sion in the Greek: The father of us Chat
belong to us) is Abraham. See Variati ms.
-Abrahams children. Better, children
OF Abraham, To match the expression
which follows, thus: If children of Abra-
ham ye be, the works of Abraham ye
would do.
Convinceth. Better, convict, to bring
proof.
Intrc1OrS EmpnatlC III the Oreek: be-
cause Of ths.-Ye are not OF God. Greek:
From God ye are not.
WHAT THE LESSON TEACHES.
Disciples indeed. That means in every
deed. "Truly discplesn is the Greek. The
children sometimes ask for "truly stories.n
What the world Is looking for Is truly Chris
tians. The crying need OF the times for
purposes OF defense and aggression Is q
stalwart typo Of Christianity, Christians
upright and outright. Christians through
and through This seems to be the refer
ence here Christ Is speaking 10 Christians,
so called or SO esteemed, profeSsed believ-
ers already. To these he says II you wish
to be really and truly Christians, Chris
tians whose names go down I'm the book Of
life and who have the veritable root of the
matter In them, you will continue in my
word. The gift OF continuance, may God
give US all. "Beieve and keep right on be-
lieving.n
The truth shall make you free. 1t is
word OF W de application Its deep and
large ST. nifcance has not yet been fully
fathomed or compassed, but there are
traces of its meaning everywhere. What
ever freedom you and have-freedom at
all worthy OF the name--ls truth freedom,
the freedom wherewith Christ has made US
free. The liberty of this nation Is the
Same sort, so far rs 1t is genuine. 1t is the
truth that has made us free. What was
1t set the colored man free-what but the
truth, working In mems hearts? And yet
SEQ slaves all about me, white slaves, black
slaves They know sin, they know not
Jesus, and "whosoevcr committeth sin Is
the servant OF sin" That query of Pr
late's was a bondslave's query: "What IS
truth?" He was not one Of Coils free men.
Are you?
We be Abraham's seed and were never In
bondage TO any man. Very fOrgetful they
were, possessed OF wret3hed memories.
How about Pharaoh and Egypt, how about
NCDuchn "a
Abraham's seed" Yes tremble at IL, seed
OF poverty, humiliation and loss. We're we
not used to sing it?
aye chosen seed of Israel's race,
remnant weak and small
Go spread your trophies at his feet
And crown him Lord OF alln
Yea, Lord. If ever my soul rises In spirit
uol pride To Vaunt its own freedom and
strength, give me to see my enslavement
In the flesh and my utter nothingness I'm
self that thou mayst be all in all Give US
thy freedoms all else is slavery.
This did not Abraham. ] would humbly
sit at the feet OF this great Master Tor all I
wish to know. He will teach me the use oil
words as well as the greater lessons OF life
and duty. No greater rhctorician ever lived,
nor more potent enunciator of tho truth.
This did not Abraham. The term Is power
full, simple, yet overwhelming. can see the
Jew vince un er IL as II n sharp whip-lash
had cut him, or an arrow stung him to the
quick Our best writer's, orators, have gotten
their lessons here. Carlyle speaking OF the
Popo's emissaries, who led John Huss to the
stake, there breaking all their promises OF
safe conduct simply, strongly says; "That
was not well done" All, how IL cutl May
the Lord teach US all "the use OF the bow.n
ale that is OF God, hoareth Gods words.n
And now / understand little better that
saying Of Paul, the abba Father" OF Gal.
iv. @. II Is Gods spirit within, answering
20 Gods call without. The response that
a Of
grace Is itself OF grace, IL is given OF God.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith.
and that not OF yourselves; 1t Is the gift OF
God.n And so We teachers, preachers,
Christian workers all, have only to speak
the word, and SOW the seed, asking God to
bless and make truth answer truth. After
all, who but the Holy Spirit can do the 4
work. Holy Spirit, make us thy instru-
ments and use us, and to make souls
TO hear.
Next Lesson-"Chrlst and the Blind Man,
John @. Ill a1-3S