The Progress. (Shreveport, La.) 1892-1900, 1894-11-24
TIE SUNDAY SCHOOL,
LESSON IX-DEC. 2-CHRiST'S
TESTIMONY TO JOHN.
Golden Text: Behold. Send MY
Messenger Before Thy Face - Luxe
VII. -. 35.

Golden Text; fehoih. H"h" Wy
Messenger Before Thy Face Luke
yIL 2i35.
Introductory. About ten miles east
of the Dead sea stood the gloomy \
castle Of MaChwruS. In this castle
lIerod had shut up John the Baptist.
| The disciples Of tnc heroic prophet
were still allowed 70 visit him, and
they brought him from time to time ,
the news of the wonderful works OF \
Jesus Christ Both tp got an adil- :
tional confirmation {or his own faith
and to revive the dropping spirits OF
his disciples he singled out two men,
and sent them to Jesus with this
question: Art thou he that should
come? or look we for another?' This
question Jesus answered indirectly
by bidding the messengers report TO
John things which they saw and
heard, and say to him; "Hesscd Is
he. whosoeYCr shall not be otfradcd
in me-" Then followed the events
contained in our lesson.
|. Jesus Estimate of John, vers. 9l?'
Il. ''IIe began to speak con
corning John" Because he did not
wish the people to cherish one single
belittling thought Of the prophet.
, "What went We out into the wilder
ness for to sce?' What kind Of man
did ye expect to find when yc went
forth to the preaching Of John in the
wilderness? "a reed shaken with the
wind?" THE reed is very tall, slen-
J der plant that bends down before
every gust Of wind John was not
like that.
o, "a man clothed in soft raj
ment?" If that had been the object
of their search, they would not have
zone into the desolate places of the
wilderness, but into kings palaces
"6, IA prophet Much more
Il than prophet. On the supposltion
~ that thcv would answer this question
in the affirmative, Jesus declares that
John was both prophet and some
thing else besides-nhmely, per
sonal forerunner and herald OF the
Messiah.
o. "Ths is he, of whom it is writ
ten" John was the only prophet u
% be announced by prophecy, See Mai
achi lii /.
%. "Among those that arc born
women there is not q greater prophe
- than John the Baptist" No one SUI
passed him in courage, conslstenc
and conservation; and no one came S
- close to the promised Messiah vi
J. that is least in the kingdom Of God
greater than he" The 'l<ingdom {
God" is the Christian dispensation,
which the humblest believer hs
y greater privileges than the most G
q allied saint had in the olden times
ya II. Jesus Reprdof of His Own Gle
GRAFTON, vers. 1886 30 "All the pc
pie" Except the scribes and Pha
secs and such like. Justified God
Bore witness that God was just.
40. "But the Pharisees and la
vers" Whose influence was IN Ga
ger. "Reiected the counsel OF TO
TN tNullifed the purpose of God "Aga''
IL themselves" To their own hurt a
vu, damage.
II. "Whereunto shall | liken
men of this generations? Who =
so foolishly aud wickedly set the
selves against Gods plans
80. "They are like unto child
sitting in the market place. The
LA. IRE of speech thus employed descrl
-~ n children's game or play in VIII
one group resorts to all sorts OF
vices to interest another group w
ont effect. Sulkiness cannot
pleased. it will take no part in
play, whether it be feast or
~ neral
- "a. "John the Baptist came nett
IN eating bread nor drinking wine.
did not 90 to social gatherings,
take part in luxurious entertainme
but was u plain man OF the DIES
content with the commonest
.Ye say, He hath devil" You
only censure for his self-denial.
MA. "The Son of man is come
WIZ ing and drinking" Partaking OF
common enjovments of life rye
Behold a gluttonous man, and
v bibber" You exaggerate ana
J. else his light hearted cheerful
ga friend of publicans and sim
This allegation is true, but not II
sense that Jesus ever approve
tolerated sin.
~ 81. "Wsdom is justified OF a.
children" In spite OF the per
ties Of evil persons, the wisdo
God is approved and commend
all who are truly wise.
"Who comes to God On inch through
ings dim.
In blazing light God will advance
him
t, La. . o,.,r Cas-, ., Insanity,
-s ~ had n narrow escape tnlS