Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1894-09-06
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL,
SERIOUS SUBJECTS CAREFULLY
CONSIDERED.
A Scholarly Exposition OF the Lesson
Thoughts Worthy of. Calm Renecsion-'
Half an Hours Study Of tho scrlpturss-
Time Wen Spent. ~.

Hail an Hours study OF the Scripeurse-
So, =. X
81 Lesson for Sept o.
The sub, Jet of this les son, found in
John 3: I-l6, is Jesus and, Nicodemus.
"There was man OF tho Pharisees
man in an old chapter. But now o
new diyulgcnce, and, pray God, a new
man. He came @by night Possibly
it was convenient after the busy hours
OF the day, convenient both for Jesus
and for Nicodepps possibly 1t was
safe, and the rulef VS. coming in
something of timidity. In any case
this Is plain: Jesus received him. He
thrpsts away no mal who comes in
Quiringly: he rebukes no n sious eek
or, however weak or questioning his
approach. Speak to him now for / 9
hears thee" "Eabbi, we know that
thou art teacher coma from God.
The worlds re sonable declaration. A
teacher sent from God IS the least that
man can justly say, even in his uneh-
ightened state. The plain facts Of
history prove this much, and no man
can fairly gainsay the statement.
And the proof is in the miracle, the
miracle and the life behind it. The
earthly lie Of JESUS. Win jts attest
ing Ddrity and power, wa, but to es-
tablish his competency as a teacher,
sent from God. But now being Gods
voice for us, "Hear We him." what
sOevor he saith unto you. do it," His
word is to be accepted without dispute.
And here is his word, his greatest
word, "Ye must be born again" How
shall we respond to it, Niccdemus
goes to questioning, testing on scien-
titic grounds. Christ responds that this
is matter beyond earthly ken and yet
no. contradictory, tbeSeto, The wind
bloweth where itlisteth, and We live in
it and by it, spite OF our partial know1-
edge. so give alta his place here
Receive the message of him who can
and does tell us heavenly things" Ye
must be born again. Bow how? All,
here is the gospel in nutshell; vs.. II,
Is, 10, contain the message Of the
WHOLE Old and New Testamsht in
epitome, The first two verses tell the
import and significance OF all ancient
Biblical record and rite, "As Moses
Lifted up tho se~ pont. 1t was all pc Mt
in z forward to the Lamb of God that
taksth away the sin OF the world.
anu nero III 10 III IL, luii NOW lcsld-
ment elunc alton, tor Col SO loved
Jesus him elf is the new birth. Jesus
b rn in us. And SO it comes to pass
that the one who alone can declare
this teaching is also the only one who
can interpret and fulfill it.
Hints and Illustrations.
A lesson on doctrine The New Birth
nNl H. tea f<~,t
such solid rock under our feet. Are
we speaking as much as we shou' on
these eterna. verities? Make much CT
them. III we ar. to have q reviya, of
religion the coming season in congre
cations and Sunday schools $, it will
come from strong proc amation of
these saving truths. Tell men that
they are lost; that hell and judgment
are imminent. that their only saliva
tion is in regeneration through the
b God OF the Crucitied. o, for revival
of these old searching doctrines in the
pulpit and desk: reyikas of religion
will follow in church ald community.
How ought one to live after renewal?
Why like renewed man. 1t is the
same man made over: his traits and
characteristics unchanged in the
main, but all turned into new chan
mel and to new end. DR.. Vaudeville
puts it thus: "A man ought to be a,
Jealous for Christ after conversion as
he was for himself before Apply this
rule to yourself. Are you doing as
much for the new King as you were
for the old Are you as earnest to
make a success of the Kings business
as you previously were Of mere worldly
business! Suppose Paul. jealous for
his own work righteousness, had been
else than jealous after the Ii 2ht. for
Christ's righteo. sness: What mis-
renewal.
Lift up Christ. Ee not so anxious to
be in sight yourself as to bring Christ,
to view. DR.. Adams, OF the Chautau-.
qua devotional hour, says that a friend
ing" and he got just two sentences
sort of fishing. The first was, TO
catch trout the fisher must hide
himself" He NUT increase, but
must decrease. AMI the other sem
telce was this, when the fish is
hooked, keep the pu i steady" Hold
fast. Keep faith strong. The Doctor
APP; calls for illustration, to his personal
experience. One time, discouraged
over lack of re suits in his congrega-
tion, he was about to ask change of
location Then came the Scripture
concerning those who through faith
.subdued kim doms. Net by sight, just
b. kee, ing on in faith, and the Lord.
takes care of the vi, tory. Lift up
Jesus. Keep him lifted up, and COM
NIT the issue to God. A harvest of
souls followed the apprehension f that
Scripture.
Il ,uppose ought to be tho happiest
woman in town, ,aid the housewife to
her domestic; I've got such a noble
husband, such Kind and dutiful chill
dren. such beautiful home, and not
an enemy that | know Of" Said the
servant: And have something better
tina all those good things" What is
it Z" Peace with God and part in
the kingdom of hi, dear Son." The
woman went to her room and anx on
her knees. Presently she returned,
new light in her eye: Il have it to,
she said. Have you?