The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-10-18

itself-the balustrade and the covered roof
They broke away part of the parapet. Then
they were just above Christ Carefully, and
evidently laboriously and concertedly, they
let the man down before the very face OF
Christ.
6. The Disease.
Palsy is a general name. 1t is a loss Of
control In whole or in part of ones motions
muscular relaxation, want of sensation in
the whole body, or q part thereof Paraiy-
sis is strictly palsy in part of the body.
Apoplexy affects the entire body. Henri
plexy is of one-half the body longitudinally.
Paraplexy applies TO the body below the
neck. There are other cases of palsy in the
New Testament-probably the man sick for
80 years. the man with withered hand, and
the centurion's servant. No mention is
made of the disease in the Cd Testament.
In the case before us we may suppose the
disorder due to some particular lines of dis
soluteness.
7. The Pdrenthesis.
That was cruel of the Pharisees to keep
the sufferer from immediate cure by the in
terposition of their casuistry. They raised
questions creating a discussion, while the
patient fingered in pain and hope. The
question they brought up was, however,
very important. They admitted that for
giveness of sins is exclusively divine pre-
rogatve. If Christ were but man he was
guilty OF gross sin and worthy the censure
received. The watchfulness of the Phari-
sees and their jealousy for Gods honor were
cOmmendable. 1t is evident Chri5t's posi-
ton amounted to a claim OF Divinity.
g. The Cure.
a. The Doctor? Christ.
b. The prescription? A command.
C. Condition? The faith of the four.
d. Kind of? l. Immediate. 2. Com
plete. 3. Permanent. A. Public. There
were many witnesses. They were learned
men. There was not collision with
Christ.
e. Reporters? SITS. Matthew, Mark, and
Luke. st. Matthew probably witnessed the
miracle. And st. Luke was physician.
f. Effects? /. On the man: Complete
cure; great JOY and thankfulness to God.
9. On the crowd: They marveled; glorified
God; were amazed; feared. Read the
three accounts. g. On Pharisees: Jealousy
and hatred. a. On us: Faith in Christ's di-
vine power; faith in his willingness to aid
us; faith in Christianity.
8. Suggestions.
l. Sin is sickness Is, 1:6; Ps., 81 Il.
Each physical miracle is but picture OF
what Christ is willing and able to do for our
souls.
2. If sick physically, go to Christ. He is
full of sympathy. Prayers for the sick are
proper.
3. On recovery from sickness return thanks
to God. See st. Luke. 5:25.
4. Help the sick. There should be insti-
tutions, charitable and otherwise, in partic-
ular for paralytics. We have one in our
country in special for paralytic children
the Hospital Cottages at Baldwinville,
Mass, under the superintendent Of DR..
Everett Flood.
5. Remember Christ knows our thoughts.
ST. Matt, "a.
6. Be of some four bent on doing good.
Individual work, as, c. g., st. Andrew for
ST. Peter is well, but there is call also for
cooperative enterprises. Bring the morally
paralyzed to the Church, to the Bible Class,
TO the Font, to the Altar.
7. Be sure you are right before you criti-
cize. Men are not consistent who charge
others with blasphemy, but who themselves
have evil in their hearts. Compare st.
Matt, 8: 3, 4.
8. Overcome obstacles in doing good.
8. Crowd about Christ; attend church
services.
10. Make personal application of the les
sons taught by this paragraph.