The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1896-04-02
the SUNDAY SCHOOL.


international Lesson for Aprii Q. lsSs-'
warning Against sin-Luke 1S,ss-So.
.s [Arranged from Peioubet's Notes1
TiMn.1becember, A. b. o. In the early
part Of the Persian ministry. after the
PLAcn.-Somewhere in Persia
The SECTION includes the whole chaPsef,
The saSan tss Ssns ssarnnss in the
text.
EXPLANATORY NOTES.
I, THE INpEFATIGABLE WORKER.-V.t
20. Jesus was on q journey to Jerusa-
lem, ,hough He knew He was to be
cruc;Led there. But oil the time, re-
gardless of His own sorrow, every
where He was doing His work. Indeed,
work for the Lord is one of the b.,t
comforts in sorrow.
II. THE QUEsNoN.-V. %. As the
Master taught and journeyed, one came
to Him with the question: "Lord. are
there few that be savedT' 1t was not
asked out of idle curiosity, but it came
from an earnest soul in view OF what
he had observed, and heard, and felt.
AS Jew, he had been taught that only
the few were saved. One of the He
brew writers had said: ''The Most
| High hath made this world for many
but the world to come for few" Jesus
| Himself had laid down conditions of
repentance-a new heart and obedi-
ence-which but few seemed to fulfill.
Only few of the multitude of the sick
and afflicted were healed.
| The question to-day is not mere idle
curiosity. The earnest soul cannot help
asking it. The larger part of mankind
has not the heavenly character; and no
outward glories, no golden streets, nor
| ieweled crowns, nor angels harps, no
gardens of paradise could make it a
heaven where they dwelt If they re-
NAMED of the same character there as
here.
III. THE FIRST ANswER.-Vs. 24-28.
Practically, Jesus gave two answers to
the question. The first was to tell the
man that his first duty was to answer
the question for himself, SO far as he
was concerned, by being saved and
this be prepared to save all over whom
he had influence. Said Christ: "Strive
thyself) to enter in at the strait
gate" The word "strive" in the Greek
is "agonize." Strive as an athlete in the
great games puts forth every power to
reach the goal or to overthrow his an
tagonist. We cannot strike one blow,
and 10! the dread adversary is dead at
our feet and all evils flee away. There
is many battlefield, many a struggle
with Apollyon and his fiery darts, be-
fore we can have the rest of victory.
The English word strait is different
word from straight. The gate is mar
row and difficult to enter. This from
the very nature of things. In Revela-
tion the City of God is pictured with
12 gates, four on each side, to express
the wide Welcome from every direction,
for every race and condition. They are
nerer shut, but each one of these gates
is 80 narrow that "there shall in nc
wise enter into it anything that de-
fileth, neither whatsoever worketh
abomination, or maketh a lie; but they
which arc written in the Lambs Eool
of Life" (Rev. o1:2T.
The reasons for striving are mainly
the great desirability of what is within
the gates-every possible good for man
more than heart can conceive or i'm
agination picture-and the fact that
'many -. will seek to enter in, and shall
not be able" ''Shall not be able" be
cause there Is a too late, time when
the door is shut Though they have
been guests with Jesus. and listened
respectfully while He taught in theil
streets, and knew about the Gospel and
their duty; yet will He not recognize
them as His disciples, or as children o1
God, for they are workers of iniquity
J Listening to the Gospel, connection
J with the church, attending meetings
J do not make us Christians, nor insure
; entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven
Absence from Christ in spirit will ne
: cessitate absence from His presenc,
and His home. The fate of these il
{ most miserable. The oriental setting
q of the picture is most significant. tn,
banqueting house is lighted up; within
9 is JOY and festivity. The streets an
0 narrow and filthy, unillumined by an,
0 light whatever. To be cast out into tn,
outer darkness in the chilly night, sucl
as they have in the east, to rove abou
the filthy streets, exposed to robber,
and ferocious dogs. were the opposit.
OF enjoying the feast within.
~. THE SECOND ANswER.-Vs. go
Having turned the questioner's atten
ton to his own duty, Jesus gives an an
swer of hope to his question. Yes
many "shall come from the east, an,
from the west, and from the north, an,
from the south, and shall sit down il
the Kingdom of God" The new son,
Q of the redeemed says: For thou has
2 redeemed us to God by thy blood ou
! of every kindred, and tongue, and pee
: pie. and nation" (Rev. 5:0). But
3 strange as it may seem. even IN tn
Kingdom ''there are last which shall b
first. and first which shall b
: last" No one can depend on hi