The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-10-05
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson for October o, lS9e-Dorcas Raised
to Lifc-Acts 0:32-4J.

Lesson for October o, lS9e-Dorcas Raised
to Lifc-Acts 0:32-43.
GOLDEN TExT-This woman was full OF good
works and almsdceds which.she did. Acts $3.50
TIME.-Probahly about A. ID. 20. II was APP
parcntly soon after Pauls visit 10 Jerusalem on
his temperance after nearly three years re-
tirement in Arabia (Gal. i;l7-2l). The date Ia
confirmed by the fact that during A. d. so and
40 Petronius, the governor of Syria, was causing
great CONSERVATION among the Jews by at
tempting 70 set up the statue OF Emperor
Caligula in the temple at Jerusalem The Jews
had thus SO much 10 attend TO themselves that
they had no time 10 engage in prosecuting
Christians. Hence the rest from persecution
referred TO in 0:Si.
PLACE.-Lydda, q city in northwestern Judea,
% miles slightly northwest OF Jerusalem; and
Joppa, seaport on the Mediterranean, 10 miles
northwest Of LYDIA.
PAUL has returned from his retirement, and
begun his work as an apostle, preaching in
Damascus, visiting Jerusalem, and then driven
away by persecution, going to his native Tarsus,
where he probably was at this time.
RULERS. Caligula, emperor OF Rome 9th
year,; Petronius is governor OF Syria, includ-
ing Judea. Josophus, the historian, was born
in 49,
THE CHURCH has now been about 10 years in
existence, and has.spread widely and increased
rapidly.
LESSON NOTES.
80. "As Peter passed through all
quarters Visiting and encouraging
the churches. "He came down." From
Jerusalem. ITO the saints The
primary significance of this word is;
individuals set apart to the service OF
God, and as only those who had been
ceremonially purified were, under the
Jewish law, thus set apart to Gods
service, the term came to be associated
with purity. (Which dwelt at LYDIA
The Lud of the Old Testament, in the
rich plain of Sharon in northwest
Judea. LYDIA was city of considera.
BILE size, about days journey from
Jerusalem. SO. There he found Ger.
tain mani" He found this man.
manned Eneas:" The name Eneas is
slightly Greek. (which had kept his
bed eight years." There could there.
fore be no doubt cast upon the miracu,
lous nature of his cure. And was sicl,
of the palsy" Palsy is contraction OF
the word paralysis"
"a. Jesus Christ maleth thee whole:'
Or, literally Jesus, the Messiah, healetl
thee. "Maketh thee whole" This is a
very expressive term for complete
health. Arise, and make thy bed:'
Or, more exactly, arise, and spread THY
bed for thyself. "And he arose imme.
diately:" Showing the completeness and
reality of the miracle, as well as the
strength of his faith. ,jt
IS. "All that dwelt at LYDIA and
Saron saw him." Not saw the cure, but
saw him after he was cured, as in chap.
$50, 10, and John 9:S. "And turned tc
the Lord" l. e., to Jesus Christ. 1t is
not meant that literally all the inhab
itants were spiritually converted to
Christ, but that there was genera
and popular recognition of Jesus found
ed on this miracle.
36. "Now there was at Joppa:" The
modern Jaffa, an ancient Philistine city
thirty miles northwest Of Jerusalem or
the Mediterranean sea. "A certain dis
ciple named Tabitha-Dorcas:" Tabi
tina, in the Arimaic (the common Ian
guage of the people,, and Dorcas in the
Greek, signifying a gazelle. "Thi'
woman was full of good works and aims
deeds" She was rich in good works
which are the best riches, last longes
and go farthest.
81. ''She was sick and died." The pro
ceedings which followed ON her dealt
are evidence of its reality. "They lai,
her in an upper chamber" This implie
some little delay in the usual rapidit,
of eastern funerals.
3s. Lydia was nigh TO Joppa;" Min
or ten miles away, or about two hours
journey.
50. when he was come-the widow
stood by him weeping" The poo
widows for whom Dorcas had made tn
coats" inner garments, land gan
ments:" the outer, or mantles.
40. but Peter put them all forth:
that he might be free from observation
and interruption while he prayed. IAN
turning him." when he was consciou
of an answer to his prayer "Said
Tabitha, arise" The fact of his praye
shows that this was said in jesus
name. And she opened her eyes" a
one awaSing from sleep. 'She sat up;
showing that she was really alive agar
Al. "When he had called the saint
and widows" Dorcas had apparent
organized a band of widow,
perhaps desolate, friendless, homeless
ones-who assisted her in the works {
charity and self-denying love. "Prt
scented her alive" So this woman b,
gan life again and had new star
She could now perhaps, retrieve old mis-
takes. AZ. "And it was known through
out all Joppa:' One of the chief &C
vantages of such a wonder as this is t
call the attention of the people to tn
great blessings which the Gospel has i
store for them. And many believe
in the Lord" 1t was not for her ow
sake that Dorcas was restored to lif,
She could serve the Lord in Heaven a
well as here. 4S. HE peter tarrie
with one Simon tanner" doub
less Christian. His traditional hous
is still shown at Jaffa. Tanneries ar
still in operation near the town.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
/. We learn from yer. 81 the secret c
the true growth of the church.
.. We should so trust God as to be q
rest as to our own future, and thus Civ
all our energies to doing Christ's wor
on earth.
s. All true Christians are saints, holy
consecrated to God.
4. Yer. SO. Peter found this man. S
we should seek for opportunities for DE-
ing good-not merely wait for them t