The Indianapolis journal., 1896-02-08

(These lessons constitute the Sunday
schooi extension department Of the above
named society. All who study them are re-
quosted to send their names, postoffice ad-
dress and denomination, mentioning this
paper, TO the author at Washington, ID. c.,
for enrolment.)
CONTEXT.-Scholars are generally agreed
that the events of last lesson occurred in
the month Of February, A. D. 2S. and the
events of the present lesson In the summer
Following. The intervening four or five
months were devoted by our Lord to earn
est labors. In April He went to the great
national feast in Jerusalem. The remainder
of the time was passed in Galilee. Jesus
now determined upon new departure. the
beginning of an organization to perpetuate e
His cause. Calling His followers whom He
had been instructing in the mysteries of
the kingdom Mark iv, III, He selected
twelve of them TO be apostles, and to them
Verse 2O), but in the hearing of others (Ch.
viii, u, He delivered that immortal dis
course, the Sermon on the Mount" Given
in brief by Luke, it is reported more fully
by Matthew (Ch. v-vii) The sermon is Pc
culiarly interesting because it is the most
extended outline of the Saviour's teachings
and because 1t contains the substance Of
what His first ministers were expected lo
y
to the old dispensation this Sermon on the
Mount was to the new-its ethical code and
doctrinal basis.
PASSAGE--Our present study will be
confined to very small part of the SER
mon. We have here two great topics.
brought close together, although in the
original discourse important matter inter-
vened. Matt vii, 6-23) In Verses Al to As
Jesus shows that goodness must precede
service, that it is impossible for men to
be useful as judges or reformers until they
have corrected their own faults In Verses
46 to 49 He SHOWS that practice ought to
follow religious instruction, that mere ac-
quaintance with great truths will profit
little unless the life is conformed TO those
truths. These two propositions are not ar
gued by the Master They are rather as
sumed as self-evident, and they are Illus
trated and enforced in a vivacious manner,
partly abstract and partly concrete, adapted
TO impress His hearers. Upon His first top
ic He makes three points, which may be
treated under the heads II blindness, hy-
also three points-profession, obedience
BI,INDNESS.-In Verse Al Jesus pro-
pounds searching question TO the disciples.
why do you perceive faults ! in your
brethren and not preceive faults in your
selves?' duke xviii, ~ There are sew
had glaring defects of character, which
might be likened TO a piece OF wood, a
beam thrust into the eye. which ought
TO awaken their profound regret psalm Ii,
%, but which were utterly disregarded.
Second. their kinsmen or fellow-church-
men, also had defects, which they In love
ought to conceal Il Cor. Kill, D, knowing
that human nature is depraved. and that
none are free from blemishes, knowing
moreover, that the brother has some vir-
tues which ought 10 be regarded. CPhil. iv,
So Now, why minify or overlook biemishes
when the eye is turned inward toward
self and magnify and condemn even lesser
things when the gaze is directed toward
others? The explanation Is easy. These
personal faults peryert the Judgment
rendering the man Incompetent TO form
a Just estimate OF others. The beam has
become the lens through which the eye
beholds what otherwise might not nave
been seen. He who passes Judgment upon
others exhibits himself. Matt VIII IL
HYPOCRISY.-In Verse ~ Jesus puts
another question. growing out Of the last