The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-11-12
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

Practical Duties Taught by study % the
international Sundav-schooI Lesson APP
pointed for Nov. -, 1891. II. John. rs: /
IL.
Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures a.
indicated ab0ye.l
SUBJECTS: ]. DEPARTURE PROM UPPEE- ROOM.
II. CHRIST IN GETHsEMANE. III. CHEIsr's
BETRAYAL. ". CHEIsT's SURRENDER V.
MALCHUs.
Preliminary.
The paragraph 10 be studied is quite broken
up if wo consider il chronologieally and make
IL agree with Gospel HarmOnists ia general.
We can best understand it, however, If We
thus arrange it:
!. THE DEPARTURE.
]. Data.
All four Gospels refer to this See St. Mt.
% 50; ST. Nix, IL: 26; st. Luke, %: 80; and
81. John, 49, "When Jesus had spoked
these words be went forth with his Disciples"
We notice st. John Omits mention OF the hymn
sung just before leaving the place. st. Luke
also omits alusiOn 10 it. Sta ut. and NIX. re-
fer to il. The first heard il and probably joined
IN singing. All four accounts must be read.
2. Whence aud Whiher.
The company left the upper-roOm where they
=
Lu., %: I2)
They were on way to Getbsemanc. st. Luke's
account states Christ was wont to frequent that
place. 10 was east Of jerusalem, the ascent be-
ginning at little distance from the city walls.
The owner was probably friendly to Christ 1t
is now in possession OF the Countess de IN Tour
dAuvergne, resident Of Jerusalem. She IL
woman Of great wealth. Her cottage is oriental
in style.
2 HIM
We date March II, A. ID. %. Thursday even
ing, at, say, $50 o'clock. That was the night
before the Crucifxion Of Christ.
T. Notes.
"These words" This expression covers
| chapters 1917 inclusive.
with his Disciples" Judas is not included
He left early in the evening, say Z o'clock.
1880.
More than words characterized the evening
At that solemn interview Jesus partOok Of the
last Passover and instituted the Holy Com
/ munion.
The Hymn sung was probably a chanting Of
/ Pss. ll5-1lS inclusive. The Jews ended their
Paschal celebration singing said psalms There
are commentators who think, however, that
Christ made other selections from Old Tesla
meut poetry more adapted to the new order Of
| things.
5. Suggestions.
i. Places for devotional exercises are wise
provisions. IL is something toward regularity
Of religious exercises 70 have a wonted place.
| 2. Song in the worship OF God is to br COM
mended and cultivated. It ia q help IN con-
nectOn with the Lords Supper.
II. CHRrsT's ENTRY TO THE GARDEN GETH-
sEMAEE
81. T /. Data
/ All four Gospels refer to the entrance Of
Z rfzf Wi nj Int Co- II
See st. Mt, %: 50; st. Nix, 4:32; St. L.. %:
/ 40; and st. John, 1871. "Over the brook
/ CedrOn, where was a garden, into the which he
entered and bis Disciples"
9. Where.
! Passing from ut Zion, in house on which
\ was the upper-roOm, the company passed
| through various streets in Jerusalem, and on
/ out of the city through the gate st. Stephen.
/ Then they crossed the brook Cedron fKi!ron,
l KedrOn). Ii twas a small stream rising north Of
I Jerusalem. winding round the northeast corner
Of the city, aud passing all along its eastern
side through the Vale Of Jeboshaphat, finally
+ ehiprying into the Dead Sea. 10 is quite dry
GENERALLY in the vicinity Of jerusalem. Only
st. John mentions the crossing Of Cedron.
Over the brook. they began to ascend toward
Z Gethsemane.
Between Jerusalem and Bethany, east Mt
Olives rises. The garden was on the decIvity
I OF this mount looking across the Jewish Capt.
I tai. The garden is still pointed out being now
/ only a small inClOsure. A few olive trees stand
II there, casting shadow over the spot so dark in
history. The trees are very Old so much go
some hold they are the very trees through
[ which the moonlight shOne on Jesus 10 is
quite difficult to grant this when we consider
how severe was the Roman siege and how
. fearful the desOiatiOn il caused. Possibly the
present trees sprung from the old roots. Olives
grew plentifuily ON this slope, and likely gave
. name 10 the mount
The Countess d'Auvcrgne has passed the title
over to the French Government She has
eEerted a convent within the inciOsure.
..'- B. Time
A. d. %, March II, Thursday evening. say
1870 o'clock.
4. Note
Christ foresaw the terrible ordeal through
which he was TO pass. He knew his Disciples
were involved more or less in his fate He
became concerned for them. He babe them
engage in serious meditation and prayer. As
I IL was, the sequel shows they became quite
/ demoralIzed when the time of trial arrived
/ They had had confidence i'm Christ. When they
/ should see him arrested they would be tempted
to distrust his power, and possibly to forsake
him.
5. Suggestions.
l. Meet duty courageousIy-bear suffering
with fOrtltude. Shrink from no cross II the
bearing Of it may aid humanity. Death itself
is noble il il be in the interest Of mankind, and
be- the only method by which the work can be
/ effected.
9. Learn to pray. 1t is our greatest resource
In emergencies 1t helps in temptations. (See
| st. Luke's accOunt.)
3. Practice private devotions. Leave other
folk at times and go and pray yonder." (Ses
ST. Matthews account.) There is call for Mrs.
Browns favOrite hymn:
love TO steal awhile away
From every cumb'r ring care,
And spend the hours OF setting day
In humble, grateful prayer.
Solitude aud prayer are means preparative
for any severe struggle. Before every Calvary
have Gethsemane. Oftimes resort TO quiet
places, and by meditation aud communion with