Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-01-10
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
SERIOUS SUBJECTS CAREFULLY
CONSIDERED.
A Scholarly Exposition of the Lesson
Thoughts Worthy Of Calm RenecAonp-
Hall IN Hours Study Of the scripeurse-
films Wen Spent.


Lesson for Jan. rs.
Golden Textile hath filed the hun
cry with good things. Luke 1. So.
Feeding the Five Thousands the subject
of this lesson, which il found in Mark
6. 30-44. We have all the voices in this
story Matthew tells it, Mark tells Il,
Luke, and even John, silent about SO many
other things. There il something espe-
cially impressive about the incident or
the evangelists would not all be speaking
with II they appeal to others. 1t is not
with II they appealed to others. Is II not
because of the divine human compassion
here revealed? All hearts must feel II.
Jesus had compassion on the disciples,
and then he had compassion on the null
titude. He was all compassion. There
are tired people in the world still. Bring
them, with this lesson, to Jesus There
are discouraged minds. distracted hearts,
hungry souls. And here also Is Jesus.
What gracious opportunity!
This lesson begins at Jesus feet. 1.-THE
disciples gathered themselves together un-
to him." Here, in the spirit of prayer
and devotion let us begin to-day: teachers
scholars. all. And tell him ALL as did they.
1t Is very precious privilege. When all
is going wrong and we know not which
way to turn, there is the way to Jesus
always open, and his face towards us.
Other eyes may be averted, but "the eyes
of the Lord are over the righteous" other
cars may be deaf, but his are ''Open unto
their prayers. And the times of our
greatest grief are the times of his readiest
access. 1t was when the sad tidings of
Johns beheading came to them that
Christ drew them apart unto himself.
When the carnal heart most fails his
heart was strongest and helpfulest. For
we have not an high priest which cannot
be touched with the feeling of our infirmi-
ties
But il was also time Of great labor.
The disciples gathered about Jesus after
their first swift embassage in his name to
tell him both what they had done, and
what they had taught" 1t had been a
time of severe testing in service with
them. and they return to the Master to
render up their report. Doubtless they
had had much to reassure them in the
work, but doubtless also somewhat to
trouble, and they were tired. Well. tired
or anxious, come Mt once to Jesus.
Are YOU weary, are you heavy-hearted?
Tell it to Jesus, tell it to Jesus;
Are you grieving over joys departed?
Tell it to Jesus alone"
REST awhile" Jesus prescribes natural
remedies. 1t is not his pleasure that men
should omit ordinary precautions. The
first thing God said to Elijah under the
juniper was, ARISE and eat" Careful
ness about resting and dieting would save
the life of many II noble self-sacriicing
missionary in the unwOnted burden and
heat of the jungle or the desert. The
word for ''leisure" in the original is. lit
orally. good time, j. e., convenient season.
In the coming and going of the people,
thinking only of their own crying wants
the disciples found no lull for either rest
or refreshment The practical lesson is
plain. Take the time. says Jesus; make
the opportunity for repose and rein
forcement. Do il in the interest of all,
and for the sake of the kingdom. When
others give no leisure. take ii yourself
Learn wisdom. A word about the multi
tude streaming around the margin of the
lake to meet Jesus, ere he landed-what "a
moving spectacle! Ought it not to teach
us the attractiveness of our Lord? The
people would still ''see Jesus" Christ
has said: And l, il | be lifted up, will
draw all men unto me- Is there any bet
ter way to draw the multitude than sim
ply to preach Jesus. But let it be Jesus.
TO preach Jesus we must have the com
passion of Jesus. There are two feelings
that the multitude's maynard, irresponsi-
bic movements may provoke. One is in
dignation. Said the disciples ''Send
them away" The other is comparison.
Said Jesus: "Give We them to eat" !. g.,
treat them better than they deserve. They
are poor. lost sheep. without shepherd.
Such Is the multitude to-day.
Hints and Illustrations.
We want to feed the multitude to-day
with this portion of the word of life. How
shall we go about it? First, go to Jesus
in prayer and get his spirit of tender love
and sympathy. Then give into his hands
all we have of talent or influence. Bring
also the book he has given us. Without
his blessing it fails to make itself food and
drink to the hungry and thirsty. Then
came the multitude to sit down lin COM
panies." What II picture of the Sunday
school The classes are the companies,
the word interpreted is the bread and fish,
and the teachers are the disciples. devot-
ing all their energies and abilities TO the
breaking Of the bread and fish, so that all
may have portion. And. 0. the richest
basketsfull the disciple himself often car
ries away!
Jesus will talk with rs by the way. He
stands ready to cheer and comfort each
one that applies to him in penitence and
meekness.
"A little talk with Jesus,
How it smooths the rugged road!
How il seems to help me onward.
When faint beneath my load;
When my heart il crushed with sorrow,
And my eyes with tears are dim.
There is naught can yield me comfort
Like little talk with him.
How equal Christ was to all demands.
With the disciple or with the multitude
he was alike, sufficient. Paul speaks Of
himself as ''all things TO all men," and in
our Savior's example we see the true
meaning Of it. Not to change with the
changing environment. but to give one
self to each case. wholly and absolutely
and without reserve. To each Christ
gave all of himself. and so he. in very
truth, was all things to all men.
Next lesson-"Christ the Bread of Life.
John q: 25:35.