The National tribune., 1893-11-02
SUNDAY MEDITATION


School Lesson1ssAppointed for nov.
IL, 1898. c ;db2a5s
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Subject: The Grace OF LiberaIity.-2 Cor, 81
sT12.
lone reading these, notes should first carefully
study the paragraph ffpm the Holy Scriptures a.
INTRopterIoN.
We pass to the Second Epistle of st. Paul to
the Corinthians. % d.
The first lecture this college year, in the
Journalistic Department OF Union College
schenectady, n. ", was delivered Oct. Ii.
by Hon. Chas. A. Dana, OF New York. His
subject was THE Press and Journalism" In
his remarks he asked the students, What
books ought you to read2 Almost all books
have their use, but some are Indispensable to
this kind of an education. But of all these.
the most useful, the most Indispensable the
one whose knowledge is the most effective. is
the Bible. | am considering it now, not as q
religious book, but as manual of utility, OF
professional preparation and professional use
for journalist
There is perhaps no book whose style Is
more suggestive aud more Instructive, from
which you learn more directly that sublime
simplicity which never exaggerates, which re-
counts the greatest event with solemnity. of
course, but without sentimentality or afecta-
ton, none which you open with such con-
fidence and lay down with such reverence;
there is no book like the Bible"
An interesting fact, as showing the general
acceptableness and hence approval of his hear
ers is that there WAS very persistent applause.
The Sunday school has for its special object
the teaching of the Bible. If it be so useful
in merely secular sense, much moro is it
needed in the ethical sphere of ordinary morals.
If SO servceable for this merely temporal life,
or stay on earth, still more is it valuable as
help in preparing us for the life beyond, COM
monty known as the heavenly state. Every
teacher should realize the importance Of the
Book from which he instructs-the Bible,
Gods Book. our Book.
Bishop j. W. Joyce once said: ain these Is
centuries this Bible has been tested by blood,
ire and sword, and has been the object against
which the keenest iDteliects have been srrayed,
yet through all it stands to-day. 1t has been
submitted TO US by God himself, and the man
who goes to its pages for help and encourage
ment ia his daily path of life will find there
that which he seeks, according to the faith and
understanding which be brings to 1t.
The Second Epistle of st. Paul to Corinth.
st. Panl wrote his first letter to Corinth
bra vely but conscious he tread on very delicate
ground. 1t is never an easy matter-certainly
never pleasant duty-to rebuke. He felt
anxious az to the reception of that Epistle. 1t
delighted him very much when he heard the
church there-a church of his own establish
ing-had made Christian use of his message to
them. He felt encouraged to follow it up with
a second communication. This second letter is
quite miscellaneous. bnt it serves good pur-
pose in teaching the Church how to manipu-
late difficulties among bodies of Christians
how safely aud wisely TO rebuke-how ingeni-
ously aud effectively to stimulate to continu-
ance in well-doing. #V
St Paul wrote this Epis.le from Philppi, In
Macedonia, in the year 81 A. d. and sent it by
1tus. In our Bible order of Books il is the
third Epistle of ST. Paul. but in chronological
order the Books run thus: Th., 2 Th.; Cor,
Cor; and hence 2 Cor. is st. Paups fourth
Epistle.
. Giriaq
The general subject of the paragraph we
study is the duty Of liberality in giving moneys
for religious purposes. specially for charitable
objects.
He shows in VS.. Is how the Macedonian
Christians. though by no means wealthy, had
yet made large offerings. The specific object Of
the collections was assistance TO the poor perse-
cuted Christians in and about Jerusalem. He
presses on their attention the instance of liber-
ality of Macedonia as an example worthy their
imitation. He shows them that giving is q
grace w. ~ most beautiful quality. Also
the act of giving is test of its love to its depth
and eenuineness. VS.. Then follows the i'm
mortal example of our Savior, who, though poor,
yet gave to tho needy. V. 8. The will must be
in hearty accord VS.. IL, IL. 1t must be in
proportion to a mans abii ty. V. IL. A study
of this paragraph is very helpful as furnishing
grand ideal of liberality and charitableness
1t furnishes a standard for both.
Paulins Fagius wrote: Z" He that saith mine
is thine and thine is mine ia an idiot; he that
saith mine is mine and thine is thine is mod
crate; he that saith mine is thine and thine is
thine is charitable; but he that saith mine
is mine and thine is mine is wicked, even
though it be only saying in his heart that he
wishes it were so.
20. my mortal friends aud brothers,
We each and all another's,
And the heart that gives most freely
FROM It's treasures hath the
Would you lose your life, ou fnd Isl
And III giving love you bind 1t
Like amulet of safety
To your hsa forever more"
Fl. w. Beecher said tIn this world, it ia not
what we take up, but what we give up, that
makes us risli."
- He il dead whose hand Is not open wide
70 help the need II a human brother;
He doubles the length Of his life-long ride
Who gives his fortunate place to another;
And IA thonSaud million lives are his
Who carries the world in his sympahies."
Notes on 2 Cor, 6: LIZ.
l. Brethren. Y. /. st. Paul. though Gliding,
does not forget the irai erDaf SpiTlG. he wanted
the Corinthian Christians to know he had only
| kind feeling for them.
2. We do you to wit. Y. !. a very clumsy
| translation. Say rather, we make you know,
| declare to you, inform you OF, certify you.
| Tindal rendered in our Received Version.
| The meaning is we cause you to know. ST.
| Paul was anxious to set before the Church at
| Corinth the beautiful example of Christian
| giving. shown in the generous offerings of
| the churches in Macedonia, to wit, the churches
| at Philippi. Berea, Thessalonica.
| 3. Grace. VI The particular grace is that
| of iiberalty. VS.. 6. z. Add V 49,
| A. OF God. V. l. We learn the source of
| their liberal offerings. 1t was wrought of Gods
| Spirit. They yielded to the holy influences
which sottened their hearts and made it easy to
| give. We may lay it down principle shat
self-sacrificing acts are not products of our evil
| human nature. but fruits of the Spirit. And,
| further, it s blessed condition to be disposed
to give. The liberal spirit is proof of Gods
| presence and evidences The people are Influenced
| by His divine benev0lsnce.
| 5. Affection. Y. g. It is quite clear the
| Christians OF Macedonia had their own trials
and prosecutions, but they were not SO bad of
| as the followers of Christ at Jerusalem. And
| hence they helped the far-away more needy
ones. With deep poverty may go the riches
OF liberaity. And with atflicton there may be
abundance of Christian joy. We.
| Il Pnwer z Ability Ia the rule of civ