The National tribune., 1894-11-22

/ Pet, 1:10-12)
IS. Least 1.-The word translated least
is the comparative, and some have thought
it should be rendered less. But the mean
ing is, he that is IeSs-that is, than all others
in the kingdom of Gods greater. This in
English is equivalent TO he That is least. The
most eminent Of the early Commentator
such as Chrysosto and Augustine-under-
stood this to refer TO the Lord himself, who
was Johns inferior in age, and, quite likely,
at this time, in the judgment of many men.
John said that one should come after him
who would be his superior in rank and
power. Later commentators, however, al
most unanimously understand it to indi-
cate the superior advantages of the new dis
pensation. We may say, then, that he who
occupies less exalted position in the new
dispensation than John did in the DID, is
possessed of clearer and more personal
knowledge of the way of salvation, and is
admitted to a closer intimacy with God
than even John the Baptist, who stood at
the summit of the old dispensation.
Suggestions.
/. Be firm. Let not the reed be a symbol
of your piety. Be not easily shaken by
the winds of persecution or fattery. (Eph.,
4:14.) Have fixed ideas You need not be
stubborn. You should always seek light
and be open to conviction, but be not waver-
ing. Those in special who are teachers
should have clear ideas and be able to in
struct with a goodly degree of authority.
A minister full of doubts will soon unsettie
the minds of a congregation.
2. Notice the SOcratic method employed
by Christ We have suggestion of peda-
gOgic value. The Interrogation process is
the drawing-out method, and that is the
correct idea involved in the word education.
8. Appeal to the judgment of men. En-
plOy the method of argument. So Christ
did. First look at matter negatively.
Then consider 1t affirmatively.
4. Defend another from false charges.
Come to the defense of friend who is mis-
understood or msrepresented. Christ was
anxious his disciples get no unfavorable i'm
preston as to st. John Baptist. Whenever
we hear persons casting reflections detri-
mental to another's character or social status
be quick to resent such scandal. Explain
in full the facts. We remember that as
Christ defended the character of st. John
Baptist, so once st. John Baptist had come
to the rescue of Christ's status. (St. John,
/ 90, 36.) If ST. John Baptist did have
the least doubt as to Christ, it is beautiful
to hear Christ declare that he bad no doubt
5. Do not depreciate the Old Testament.
Make large use Of it. Often quote it. Sc
lect Sunday-school lessons from it. FIRE.
quently read it in the pulpit. 1t and the
New Testament are so one-so tied together
in historic continuity-the last is so much
the sequel of the irst-that neither is intel
6gible without the other.
6. Be not too sgueemish as to quoting the
Holy Scriptures verbatim. The quotation
(St. Nit, IL 10,) from Malachi (3:1) is not
as in the Hebrew nor Septuagint. Sis.
Matthew, Mark, and Luke, however, agree
IN their rendering of the original. Often
Christ quoted the Old Testament, giving
simply the meaning and not the exact
words. In general conversation one may
have occasion to use a certain verse from
the Bible, but, not having Bible at hand,
must either quote in substance or not at
all. Exact ideas can be expressed correctly
in different ways. But the following state
ment is worthy of thought: THAT Christ
thus changes the language, making that
which is said of Jehovah by Himself to be
addressed to the Messiah, is, if such were
needed, no mean indication of His own
eternal and co-equal Godhead."
z. Each Christian should initiate st. John
Baptistin preparing the way of Christ, in
which any religious enterprise is to go, in
preparing mems minds for the reception of
Truth, in healing all differences which sep
arate or hinder the work of the Church.
Be messengers before the face of Christ.
Christians should be found in advance
of all the great moral and religious reforms
and enterprises of our day.
8. There are times when praise is right;
when, in fact, it is due. To say good words |
of man who is absent is often a pleasure
and many times duty. Praise to ones
face IS often mere fattery.
8. Notice Christ's ideas of greatness. If |
We initiate him we shall be obliged to revise |
many current opinions on this subject. st. |
John Baptist whom Christ so lauded was in |
prison, helpless, prosecuted, poor. About |
all he had was goodness, and that was not |
native, but acquired. Jesus failed to men |
tion any great ruler or philosopher in COM |
parison with st. JOHN Baptist. Ignoring |
all them in the category of greatness, he |
picked out the prisoner who was victim of |
Herod's malice. No Pharisee, no orator, no |
Cresus no philosopher no warrior was |
equal, measured by the standard of our |
love and loyalty to Christ, to the hero who |
languished at Macherus dungeon.
10. To be preacher of Christ crucifed- |
to tell of the completed salvation-is q |
greater honor and privilege than to have
been a prophet under the old, shadowy, |
dispensation. In this sense the |
least prominent of the truly Christian min
istry of the Messiah's Kingdom is greater,
more real, more appreciate, than the most /
popular prophet under the Mosaic dispense
ton.
IL. We are Christians. We live after ST. |
John Baptist, after the death of Christ. We
live not in prophetic days but in times of
prophetic fulfllment. We possess greater
privileges aud light than Abraham Moses,
David Isaiah, Daniel, Malachi. Much is
expected of US. We should equal much as
possible our opportunities. We may con-
graduate ourselves on our privileges.