Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1896-04-22
for the Aul1e Circle.
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON v. SECOND QUARTER, INTER-
NATIONAL SERIES, MAY 8.

LESSON v, SECOND QUARTER, INTER-
NATIONAL SERIES, MAY 8.
Text OF the Lesson Luke xviii, 5-1s-Mem.
ory Verses, 17-16-Golden Text, Luke
xviii, documentary by tho Rev. d. NJ.
stearns.
4. "Increase our faith" We read In
Rom. K, II, that faith cometh by hearing
and hearing by the word OF God. If we
firmly believe ono word Of God, that Is
faith in God. If We believe two words,
that is more faith, and SO on. Faith Is
not feeling nor an emotion, but simply a
firm and steadfast resting on what the
God of truth has said, wholly regardless
of our feelings or circumstances. Faith
saws, "I believe God that 1t shall be even
as It was told me" (Aots xvii, 25), even
though as in the case Of Paul everything
seems against 1t.
6. "And the Lord said, If 20 had faith
as q grain of mustard seed" A mustard
seed is a very small seed, but 1t has life IN
1t which, when planted in the earth, will
soon make itself manifest. The life OF
faith Is the word of God, and this word
planted In the soul will surely grow, but
it must be planted. If only on the surface,
like the seed by the wayside, the dovil
will catch 1t away. If on rocky or thorny
SOIL 1t will either wither or be choked,
but received into An honest heort 1t will
hear fruit to the glory of God.
TO. This illustration Of the servant
doing what he was commanded seems In
tended to enforce obedience, simple and
unouestioning. In verses and our
Lord had said that they should forgive
brother seven times day If necessary. To
this they said, Increase our faith, " when
1t was not matter Of faith, but of simple
and unquestioning obedience. Having
been forgiven millions Of offenses by Him,
who laid down His life for us, and need
Ing and receiving that forgiveness IN
greater or less degree continually, 1t Is
surely q small matter that we forgive others
even seven times day.
10. "We are Improbable servants. We
have done that which was our duty to
do" Some who bear the name of Christ
Jesus our Lord are often heard to say, II
ought to do this and that" And the most
of their religion Is doing what they feel
they ought to do, but really have no heart
for. They would not like to be considered
Improbable servants, but let them oonsid-
er this word Of our Lord. 1t is SO differ
ent when the love of Christ constraineth
(II Cor. v, 14). God did not give His Son
and the Son did not give Himself because
He ought to do it, but because He SO loved.
II. "He passed through the midst of
Samaria and Galilee." He was on His
way to Jerusalem to die, and, although
He knew that the Samaritans would not
receive Him (Luko X, 51-53), yet He loved
them enough to give them the opportunt-
ty. He was, in q sense, ever laying down
His life while on His way to Golgotha,
where He actually laid 1t down. Hepleased
not Himself. He glorifled God. He gave
His life for His enemies. He desires, in
the person Of His followers, to be still
passing through tho midst Of those who
need Him whether they will have Him or
not.
10. "There met Him ten men that were
lepers, which stood afar off," He knew
that He would meet these lepers. and
probably entered that village that He
might meet them. Ten is suggestive OF
one aspect of completeness, as in the ten
virgins, and these lepers may stand for all
the unclean whom Jesus came to heal.
18. "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us"
A CRY Of real need and Of utter helpless
ness. He helps those who have no helper,
not those who can help themselves, as
some say. He came not to call the right
eous, but sinners. They that are whole,
in their own estimation, will not be likely
to call q physician. But sinking Peter,
ard unclean lepers, and helpless blind
men, who plead nothing but their great
need and His mercy will always get His
ear, and find His heart full of compassion,
and His arm strong to save.
IA. GAS they went they were cleansed."
here Is case of unquestioning obedience.
They asked for health, and He told them
to go and show themselves unto the priests
according to law, as written In Lev. Kill
and xiv, for He came not to destroy tho
law, but to fulfill it and to magnify it. In
chapter V, Il, He first healed the leper
and then sent him to the priest, but here
the lepers arc sent without being healed,
and their cleansing came as they obeyed.
There is always blessing in obedience.
Is. "One of them, when he saw that he
was healed, turned back, and with loud
voice glorifled God" His heart is t1ll. He
cannot restrain his JOY. He must stop and
thank his Healer before he goes to the
priest Jesus Is God manifest in tho flesh.
God in Christ has healed him. He will
first thank God, and then, If still SO COM
manded, show himself to tho priest.
16. "And fell down on his face at His
feet, giving Him thanks and he was q
Samaritan" Who so offereth praise glori-
f1eth God FPS. !, 23), and it is always a
good thing to give thanks unto the Lord.
How many times we ask Him for meroies,
but not always do we return to give Him
thanks. In trouble we cry unto the Lord,
but in prosperity we oft fail to praise Him.
II. "And Jesus answering said, We're
there not ten cleansed? But where are the
miner" He certainly looks for our graft
tude, and in everything we arc - give
Him thanks Il Thess. V, 18). If we only
believed the things thnt are freely given
to us of God Il Cor. H. 12), and that we
arc blessed with all spiritual blessings In
Christ (Eph. l, 8),. our hearts would bo
lull VI IuduhSBlNluB lor ourSoiNos aho oh
petitions for others less favored. 1t Is our
privilege to be wholly ut rest concerning
ourselves once we are in Christ and to live
wholly unto Him to bless others.
IS. There are not found that returned
to give glory to God save this stranger
We might ask: Where are all those who
trusted Him to save thomP How many
arc in their daily life giving glory to GodP
But more practical question for each one
Is, Has Ho healed mo! And If so am I
making it manifest in my life that I am
NOT my OWN hut that am bought with