The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-08-02
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
AUGUST 6.
Lesson Text "Paul at Miletus,"
Acts XXX, 22-35 Golden
Text. Heb. xiii,
commentary.

%. "And now behold, 90 bound In the
spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things
that shall befall me there. Last week Wa left
Paul at Ephesus alone, his companions hay
ing gone to Macedonia. Then followed the
uproar, after which Paul left Macedonia,
went as far as Greece, tarried there three
months, then returned through Macedonia,
and we nov find him at Miletus on his way
to Jerusalem, fastening to be there II posi-
BILE by Pentecost (verse 16). Touching at
Miletus on their homeward voyage, he sent
to Ephesus to have the elders come down to
him, and our lesson to-day Is bis farewell to
them. He reminds them OF his manner OF
life among them and of his teaching. Doing
must precede teaching. See Math. W. l9i
Acts t., / Mark w., 80, Josh. l., ., r
VIII. 10.
in every city. saying bonds and afhictions
abide me-" While he did not know what
particular events might befall him, he had
general knowledge that it would be AZ 1t had
been. and even 80 to the end. 1t was In his
commission that he should suffer Acts k,
16), and large foretastes had he already in
the stoning at Lystra and the securing and
imprisonment at Philippi.
"a. but none Of these things move me,
neither count my life dear unto myself, so
that I might finish my course with joy"
The ambitions of this servant Of Christ may
be seen in such passages as this In connec-
ton with I Cor. H., 2 {; II Cor. ", 9; Phil. l.,
20; Gal. Vi, Il. To make known the gospel
Of grace, to make Christ known through
these bodies, to be In all things pleasing
unto Him and have his service accepted OF
Him, these were his constant aim, and in
these directions he exhorted his son limo
thy III Tim. H., 8; w., 15), and through his
writings exhorts all believers.
25. "And now, behold, know that ye all
among whom have gone preaching the
kingdom Of God, shall see my face no more.
In some way he knew that he would not
meet them again Till he should meet them at
the Judgment seat OF Christ, and therefore
he would speak to them the more earnestly
and waste no time on vain words II when
we speak to people, even In ordinary con.
versation, we felt that we might not meet
them again in this world. we would be more
apt to say something about Jesus and things
eternal.
26. "Wherefore take you to record this
day that am pure from the blood OF all
men," not only in the sense Of having
wronged, corrupted or defrauded no man
III Cor. vii. q, but he had cleared himself
of all responsibility In reference to their
souls salvation. II we, as the messengers OF
God faithfully declare His messages OF sal
vation. then we are clear OF the bloodos
those who hear, whether they believe or not.
See Eek i'll, 7.9 1xxiii., 17-l9.
81. "For have not Stunned to declare
unto you all the counsel Of God" That
which he had received Of the Lord he had
made known unto them without diminishing
a word II Cor. xY. 8 Jer. XVI. p. He had
kept back nothing (verse 2O) through fear OF
man. He believed in his heart that II his
was to please mon he was not worthy to be
called a servant OF Christ (Gal. l.. 10). SO
he lived and lsbored not as pleasing men,
but God. who trleth our hearts q Thess. H..
A.. What needful word this Is, "He that
hath MY word, lot him speak My word faith'
fully" (Jer. xiii. 2S).
2S Take heed therefore unto yourselves.
and to all the flock, over the which the Holy
Ghost hath made you oyersoers, to feed the
church Of God, which He hath purchased
with His own blood" One OF the risen
Christ's last words to Peter was threefold
exhortation to feed His sheep and lambs
John xxi. Is. ~, and Peter passes 1t on to
us. saving, "Feed the flock of God which is
among YOU" Q Pet. ", q. Nothing can feed
us but the word Of God. The written word
Is full OF Him who Is the living word, and He
Himself said, .'He that eateth Me, even he
shall live by Me- (John VI, 5D.
49, "For know this, thas after my depart
ing shall grievous wolves enter In among
you, not spsring the flock" It WIS Paurs
delight to maintain himself by his own labor
tlat Nc might ubVoto SlNoto tuo AoouJ suinbo
temporal and spiritual. But there were and
there are those who, protesting to be shep-
herds, not only do not feed the flock, but
take good care to live upon the aook-wolves
in sleeps clothing (Math. vii, Is I, l6).
80. "Also OF your own selves shall men
arise. speaking perverse things, to draw away
disciples after them" It is one thing for a
man to be accused Of drawing people after
him, while his whole aim Is to point them to
Jesus Il Cor. ill.,, 4, 81. It Is quite another
matter for d man to live and labor for the
sake Of a following (Acts ", IS, 37).
81. Therefore watch and remember that
by the space Of three years ceased not to
warn every one night and day with tears.
Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and
scatter the sheep Of My pasturage. satin the
Lord (Jer xiii, y. See also Eek. x1Ily.,
2. Prayerfully. tearfuIly and increasingly
had Paul labored for their souls welfare, and
as he foresaw the possibility OF false teach
ers and souls ruined and lost his heart was
grieved.
so. "And now. brethren, I commend you
to God and to the word OF His grace. which
is able to build you up and TO give you an In.
heritance among all them which are sancti-
fed" He knew that If they would only hold
fast to the word OF God they would not waver
nor be led astray. The only safety then and
now is 'sto the low and to the testimony. II
they speak not according to this word. surely
there Is no morning for them" lisa. will, 20,
r. w..
33. Il have coveted no mans silver or
gold or apparel" He was not seeking theirs,
but them. He wanted nothing from them,
but he had something to give them. Though
he WAS poor. yet he made many rich though
he seemed to nave nothing, yet he possessed
all things Q Cor. W.. 10Y. When any gave
him gifts. he was especially glad for them,
because it was just 80 much added to their
account in heaven.
50. ''Yes, ye yourselves know that these
hands have ministered unto my necessities
and TO them that were with me-" Therefore
when the false teachers would come, seeking
theirs and not them, only wanting to make
something out OF them. not caring for their
souls. they could say THUS did not Paul.
He never asked US for anything for himself"
See further instruction upon this point In IL
Thesa ill.,. 9.
35. II have showed you all things, how
that 80 laboring ye ought to support the
weak, and to remember the words OF the
Lord Jesus. how He said, 1t is more blessed
RI give than to receive" 1t Is not recorded
that Jesus ever said just these words, 80 that
POSSIBLY Paul has here given us some o: the
lnrecorded words of Jesus. This principle,
however WAS certainly In His teaching and
yery prominent Luke vi. 30 xiv IS. lG.-
Lesson Hninnr
A sTonf is told by the New York
TYIs n IL