The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-11-08
SUNDAY MEDITATION
A Study Of the International Sunday
School Lesson Appointed for Nov.
Is, 1894
Subject, Christ's Beatitudes. st. Luke
6: 2O-26.

Subject. Christs Beatitudes. st. Luke,
6:2O-26.
lone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
indicated above.l
INTRODUCTION.
II is best to consider the sermon on the
mount as unit, and to study it as such.
To do so we can more effectively study the
account by St. Matt (See 5 1-12) as to the
paragraph to-day. We notice it as fuller
than that by st. Luke. By harmony we
have St Luke, 6 :20-26, inclusive. st. Mat
thew gives eight beatitudes. st. Luke men
tons only four of these, but we can consider
st. Luke's more effectively in the fuller ac-
count by st. Matthew.
1t was the bright, scholarly DR.. Howard
Crosby who once wrote: There are eight
beatitudes at the beginning of the Sermon
on the Mount I think they are placed at
the fore front as sort of vignet or frontis-
piece, portraits of the complete man. AS we
read them over our first thought is, How
utterly unlike the description of the COM
plete man that the world generally would
give!' If we asked the average man to
write eight beatitudes they would run some
what this way: Blessed are the rich, for
they can buy everything they please.
Blessed are the jolly ones, for they have
a good time. Blessed are the powerful, for
they have their own way. Blessed are the
smart fellows, for they come it over the
greenhorns. Blessed are the unfeeling, for
they have no sentimental qualms. Blessed
are the liberal minded, for they can enjoy
little sins. Blessed are the strong, for they
can knock down opposition. Blessed are
they that get the worlds praise, for they
have an easy life.' / think that the great
majority Of men would sign these beatitudes,
and then show their sincerity by doing their
best to occupy the position of these blessed
ones"
I. STUDY OF Four BEATITUDEs.
Preliminary.
We shall study now only those beatitudes
to which st. Luke calls attention. Of the
eight in st. Matthew st. Luke notices only
four. st. Luke wrote at a different time
and for different purpose than did st. Mat
thew, and probably used only such beati-
tudes as best suited his purpose.
St. lakes First Beatitude.
a. Blessed be ye poor, for yours is the
kingdom of God" st. L., 6 20. This cor
responds with the first beatitude of ST. Mat
thew, 5: 8. The words of the latter are
little different" Blessed are the poor in
spirit, for theirs is the kingdom OF Heaven"
The form of st. Matthew shows that we are
not to consider simply those poor financially,
but the poor in spirit. The Kingdom of
God is the same as the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed" should in all cases be rendered
happy. Poor in spirit. This is a condition
possible even for the rich. 1t may be the
text has no financial bearing, but relates ex-
Al he
state of mind Of the man.. The humble, the
contrite, not the proud and haughty-those
conscious of sin, rather than the self-right-
eous-tbe Publican spirit instead of that
of the Pharisee-those who, knowing
they have not the true riches Of holiness,
and hence are oppressed by sense of
spiritual poverty-not the selfsufficient, but
they who feel need Of help, such are blessed
or happy. We are to become as little chill
dren. Jameson & Co. say This poverty
of spirit is not mere melancholy, or mere
saBctimony, but the very essence OF inward
piety, which is most opposite to the self
sufficiency and pride of nature"
AS start point in Christian life, the
state of mind, covered by the expression
"poor in spirit" is fundamental. sense
of need is stimulating. 1t may be the poor
can most easily cultivate this disposition,
but wealth may not be in the way of its
development. We know that initially the
Holy Spirit prompts Us to conviction of sin
and confession of sinfulness. AS result
comes comfort which is the Kingdom Of
Heaven.
b. blessed are ye that hunger now, for
ye shall be filled" This is the second beati-
tude stated by ST. Luke. 6:21. This cor
responds with the fourth beatitude of ST.
c. tba,y
ed are they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness, for they shall be filled" We
can study to greatest advantage the state
ment by st. Matthew. His account shows
we are not to understand literal hunger,
but spiritual craving. The meaning is, we
should have an intense longing for righteous
ness. And we can have it If We want it; SO
there is one thing of which we may be GER
tain if we desire it. Is, 10; st. Matt,
TT. Says Whedon: Here is something
more than mere vacuity, or penitence, or
tranquil readiness. II is an ardent longing,
holy appetite for ali that is right and
good"
And Abbott wrote: "All other desires are
liable to be disappointed; the desire for
righteousness if 1t be supreme-not merely
the wish, but the choice OF the soul-can
never be disappointed"
We get an idea OF how unsuitable should
be our desire for holiness. How we feel
hunger-how we crave food-how utterly
miserable we are if deprived for long of our
regular meals-what violent measurers men
Will adopt to get food. We should have
similar cravings for purity, holiness, right
eousness.
Rev. w. W. Walker, of Washington, Pa,
once wrote: "Meekness, an inward cou-
seriousness of imperfection, leads to an intense
desire for righteousness. So strong and real
is this longing for holiness of heart and life,
Tor RICHNESS in the sight of God that Christ
can compare it to nothing less than hunger
and thirst Now, hunger is a positive and
most painful craving; it Is the whole man
begging for the means Of life. And thirst
is IA longing even greater. 1t is every fiber
| and tissue of mans system crying for water.
Deprive Pittsburg of food for a few days
and there would ensue such riot as was
never known. Cut off the water supply
and there would be misery understandable.
Now, with just such longing as is expressed
| by hunger and thirst does the meek man
crave for holiness. He prays for it, watches
for it, works for it, and suffers to possess it in
an agony of desire" 1"
Mary E. Bradley's hymn, "The Hidden
Sweetness" may be read Just here and find
| place made for it.
C. BLESSED are ye that weep now, for ye
| shafl lauoh ~ This ia CT Tuke's third heati-