Crawford avalanche., 1894-08-23
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
AN INTERESTING AND INsTRuC-
TIVE LESSON.
Reflections Of an Eievsting Charsctcr--
Wholesome Food for Thought Study
ing the scriptural Lesson KnteliigentIy
and Probably.



Lesson for August a6.
We are having q number OF first
things" in the life OF Jesus through
these lessons; now the first miracle,
which Is the sub ect this week. 1t is
found in John 2: Ill. And yet was it
the frstY AS John said, at the or EN-
ing OF this Gospel, "All things were
made by him, and without him was not
anything made that was made" All
creation, all life Is his miracle And
yet this was the first of that remarka-
BILE series OF attesting marvels which
marked his earthly career. Has his
first miracle" of saving power had
place in you? Have you been born
again?
GOLDEN TEXT -sThis beginning of mira
cles did Jesus In Cana of Galiiee. and man.
ifested forth his glory" John 2; H.
Points I'm the Lesson.
"The third day." Right along with
days OF preaching, teaching, days OF
spiritual communion come days OF or
dinary human intercour Q. Pastor and
preacher, sitor and teacher go to-
gether. The minister CT holy things
ought never to be more than two dass
away from the common people. There
was marriage" Heaven takes note
of our earthly joys. T. hese ie1sibilities
with which we ace born are from on
high. Alas, that they should be
turned to blse uses instead of being
kept to the glory of God. Keep
thought and affection pure, Ee ,oice.
always, in the Lord. Jesus was called,
and he ACCEPTED the invitation. Why
not? Was not his mother there? And
were not his di cipies invit-d? They
have no wine" Earthly degenera-
tions, life's deficiencies and de inquen-
cies. These lap.es are continually oc-
curing. And so there needs to be,
ever and anon, the inspiration OF the
most high God. Earth dark life re-
quires to be shot through with rays or
heavens eternal light, earth weak
ness girded with heavens eternal Wig
or, underneath the everlasting arms.
Happy the man who can say in peren-
NAL and abiding trust. Thou hast put
gladness in my heart more than in the
time that their corn and their wine in
creased" "Mine hour is not yet come. +"
Courteously and kin1ly spoken. when
rightly rendered, and with much rea-
display OF his Godhea6 and OF his
glory. The day was coming, as we'll
he knew. when there should be- full
manifestation of his Sonship.
Whatsoever he saith unto you. do
It," A motto for the conduct Of life.
Do what he says. Whatsoever he
says; and whatsoever he says-do Il!
Here read the secret Of success, Christ
wise. For best ameliorations of SC
ciety, for highest uplifts of soul, for all
TRANSPORTATION of the life that now is,
whatsoever he saith, do it. Has the
church made pro 2ress in any other
way? Have you known spiritual ex-
hilaration by any ether path
The best for the last. That is the
Chri tian's estate. Mundane glory de-
Gays, life's sweets lose pungency and
power: but they that wait upon the
Lord shall renew their strength, hey
shall mount up The way that mounts,
the path toward the perfect day" is
the Christians pathway. The wine
and oil that last and improve with the
DAYS are of God blessing Trust him.
| Fill up to the brim. Get large draughts.
Go out on all sides in the earthly life,
e1ucationally, socially, industrially,
borrow vessels not few. fill full and
then bring to God. He will manifest
his glory. And the people will mar
vel, and the disciples believe.
Hints and Illustrations.
! This lesson finds many in the midst
of vacation diversions and all in that
period of half lassitude which comes
with the heated midsummer days. 1t
is we'll enough to recognize the burden
and the heat OF the day: to go on the
same all the year round /, to lessen
energy and shorten life. Go apart and
rest awhile. Some one was sa ing
one Of the older folk naturally-the
other day "they didn't ut to stop
work aud 60 off for vacations as they
do now" but we 70 get. Yet these
days may sti be fruitful. Body, mind
and sou may be prep airing for a more
vigorous service in the opening OF a
new church year: moreover here and
there in new surroundings special op.
portunities NAV be found for dropping
the seed Of truth. In fact, it is one
service, all glory to God. whethe.' We
eat or drink; or whatsoever we do.
Sanctify everything to Him, rest time,
work time. So may these July and
| August firkins al 80 be turned to wine.
Take Christ with YOU to your feasts.
Give him place in the vacation res
pite, make room for him once even in
the inn.
Ours is wonderful Christ The sea
saw him and fled. And now the lars
! VI WotCt inbo Wluo. ne COU-
| scious water saw its Lord and blushed."
o to see him even as nature sees him.
The emphasis is Just. Never man
spake like this man." and so they
dared not lay hands on him. 1t was
God! Just glance from him and
the water turned to wine. o how easy
for him to speak our poor humanity
into Immortality and the body of our
humiliation into the glory of the skies.
His own TRANSPORTATION tells us what
changes may be wrought by God
grace. Praise God.
.Then again. I've just been thinkin',
That when a things here sac BRIGHT,
The sun In a his grandeur. and the mune
wi quiverin' hcht,
The ocean In the simmer and tho Woodland
In the spring.
Wbat n.aun IL be up youder,
In the Palace o. the Kingn
xsr ~