The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-09-06

| ever he goes. Its presence depends not or
| externals but on the will of the possessor
1t is inward, permanent, perpetual Gal
2: 20. One need not go one and half miles
| (that is to say from Shechem to Jacobs we'll
| to get some of it.
II. Art thou greater than our father
Jacob? We find this question in V. IL
| This well was the best Jacob could
secure. IF Christ could give better, he
would in so far excel Jacob. That seemed
presumptuous. 1t had the appearance al
least of criticising Jacobs work. A con-
trsst is drawn. V.10. There seems q claim
on Christ's part of superiority to Jacob
which might be offensive TO those whose
Bible was the Pentateuch The well was
good enough for Jacob. Why seek better ?
CT. V. IL. She, by the way, was in error in
claiming Jacob for an ancestor. The Samar-
itans had persuaded themselves they had
such honorable extraction.
10. Being Jew 8. She knew Christ was
Jew, either by his Dress his racial appear
ance possibly by his speech. st. Mark,
147O.
IA. Shall never thirst. ii. Religion
gives solid and permanent comfort. Rev,
7:16. 1t is a constant source of joy. A
man need never go outside Christianity for
JOY or amusement or recreation; need seek
no other fountain of happiness. We thirst
again for material water when we find it
wanting, but Christ's religion is a well in us
always, everywhere. Ro., s :32 Gal, 5 !: %,
%.
Is. Give me this water 10. Some think
this was irony. Others think she got the idea
water (material) might be gotten in same
way and save her the trudges after it. "She
still misses the spiritual sense, though she
infers that water is spoken of, after using
which thirst shall no longer be felt" An
author says; "She answers in a spirit of
badinage."
Suggestions.
We now notice several practical hints:
j. Seek opportunity when travelling, draw
ing water at wells, resting from weari-
ness, anywhere, everywhere, to introduce
Christ.
2. This lesson is an inkling of the out
stretch into cosmopolitanism and humanity
to be taken by Chrst's religion. Even then
the Savior had an outlook toward the Gen
tiles. Water was an emblem of the freeness
of salvation. Hence missions
3. Seek a thorough knowledge of Christ's
person and mission. Do not be obliged to
labor under such Misrepresentation OF him
as did the woman at the well. V. o. Ignor-
ance as to Christ and Christianity leads to
many errors and much loss of happiness.
a. Cultivate kindness. Do favors. Christ
yet in the persons of needy ones is saying:
" Give Me to drink" Give cups of cold
water, and be sure God will not forget your
kindness Have dealings with the poor
extend courtesies; and give drink to the
heather. .
5. Away with bigotry. Do not decline to
aid needy person because he (she) is
Samaritan. CT st. Luke, 9 % -56.
6. Go to Christ for comfort in every trial.
He knows what it is to be weary, hungry,
too poor to ride. He can be touched by our
cares, for he felt The same.
T. Be Christians You will thus have
source of happiness.
3. Be Christians continually. Never grow
stagnant. Let religion be ever springing up
in you as living fountain.
Scotland's sweet singer, Bonar, sang thus:
81 hesrd the voice of Jesus say.
Behold, freely give
The living water; thirsty onel
Stoop down. and drink, and live.
came to Jesus and drank
or that life giving stream.
Ny thirst was qnenched, my soul revived,
And now live in Him."
NoTE.-See THE NATIONAL TRIBUNE for
July %, 1891, for critical explanations on
his lesson.