The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1893-12-29

ksvtsw Lesson for Quarter Ending u.
cembcr 81. 1898.

SOHS were cDIDtctcu Win inc misAlo0-
AIRY labors 81 the Apostle Paul. and in
the review we could get a connected
sketch Of his later years; in this quar-
ter we find no such natural bond #
union between the different lessons,
but must string them as separate
pearls on an artificial thread II will
be worth while to remember that the
twcnty-scven writings which compose
n New Testament. though parts ~
one complete revelation, ere AT first
separate and independent treatises, Is
sued ut intervals during a period of
about fifty years, and long afterward
gathered into one volume. Each part
ought 10 be studied i'm its historical
connection with the circumstances
both of the writer and of those whom
he primarily addressed. The commo
arrangement Of the cpisslcs. be it OBJ
served. is neither chronological nor ac-
corling to the topics on which they
treat; but we have first paul's letters
70 communities. Romans. Corinthians,
Galatians. Ephesians. Philippians, Co
lossians and Thcssalonians, arranged
in the order of their comparative
lcngth. then his letters 10 individuals,
Timothy. Titus and Philemon, also
in the order of their length; next
the letter to Hebrews. probably
written by Paul. but not authcn-
ticated by his narnc: then the let
tcrs of other apostles. James, Peter,
John and Jude. called catholic. or gem
cral cpistlcs. that Is circular letters.
put nearly in the order of their length,
though both | Peter and l John are a
little longer than James; and finally
the Apocalypse. or letters To the Seven
Churches of Asia.
I~-Iv-LEssoss From EoMAss.
The first Rom. 1870 is a general
introduction to the cpistlcs. setting
forth Paul's earnest desire to visit
Rome. his sense of obligation alike to
jew and Gentle. and his glorying in
the gospel rs the power of God unto
salvation to every one hat bclicveth-
The next from. $4,000 exhibits the
inability Of law TO do anything more
than give men a knowledge of sin. and
then introduces the Righteousness of
God through faith. and the redemption
that is in Christ Jesus. The third
rom. 5:l-lD tells Of some of the fruits
IF justification by faith. enabling US To
have peace with God. and joy. in hope
Of His glory. in Affections. and in the
assurance of complete salvation by
the life of Him whose death reconcilcd
US to God. The fourth Rom. l2:i-l5)
turns from doctrine to duty. and pre-
scuts three important points in Chris
tian living. viz. conservation to God.
as living sacrifices. faithfulness rs
members of one body. and sympathetic
love for all mankind.
y-tx.-FRoM OTHER PAULINE EPIsrLEs.
The ffth lesson Il Cor. S:l-i3l. writ
ten from Ephcsus \. ID. -, 10 correct
certain errors of doctrine and prae-
tice. gives a striking illustration Of
the rule that our liberty must be linn
tied by regard for others. since knowl-
edge H. inferior to love. and while ii
may claim the right to partake Of any
thing not in itself wrong. yet love for
Christ and for Ills redeemed often re-
q-ires abstinence for the sake OF
others. The sixth Il Cor. i5:i2-s0l is 2
prophetic rman Of final victory in tho
resurrection. which is shown to be an
essential part of Christian doctrine
and the completion of the iacdiatorial
work If the risen Saviour. The sey-
cnth ~ Cor. s:1-l2l. written a few
months after the former letter. en-.
Joins the grace of libcrality by the cx.
ample of the Macedonian churches and
~. ..tl1 1tr1nr .-~n.rn1a M nv nrI
Jesus Christ. and lays down the right
rule for giving-chcerfully and in pro
portion 10 ability. The eighth lesson
tEph. 4:20-SaD. written from prison al
Rome, A. ID. CO or Go. lifts us into imi'
tation Of Christ. in spiritual renewal
in our conduct and feelings toward
Others. and in the inner life of ON
own hearts. The ninth Col. 3.i2-25l
written at same time and place as
the last, gives some unfailing pre-
scriptions for promoting happiness il
the Christian home. by chcriShing nj
affectionate. forbearinc disposition. b,
keeping a loving. peaceful and thank
full heart. and by cheerful submission
in all the reciprocal duties of socia
life.
XIII. SELECTIONS From OTHER APOSTLES
The tenth lesson is in the ~intcnscl,
practical vein of James. the Lord
brother" and the pastor Of the churcl
at Jerusalem. who wrote. probabl.
about IS A. d.. n circular letter to I'll
scattered Israelitcs who had believes
in Jesus. The portion selected (jame
4: 1921 insists on grateful obedienc
to the divine source Of MI good. who's
gifts we ought TO rccciye with meek
ness. and to improve by putting wha
we hear into daily practice. The clcy
enth. from the pen Of the ilnpulsivt
soulful Peter. the apostle Of the Gil
cumcision. who wrote from Babylon
A. ID G5 or G6. To his Hebrew brcthrc'
in churches planted under pauls init
encc. is really poetical in its beauty a
it describes q Peter 1: l-i2l the lica,
cnly Inheritance. as giving. even i
this world. a forctastc of its imperisl
able joys. and Illustrating the grca'
ness Of our salvation. The twclft
takes Us with the loving and believe
John. Sanishcd in his old age. probabl
% a. d.. To Patmos, where was M
folacl hrforc him Rey. l-g-nu1 n yi<io