The National tribune., 1896-01-30


is figure of speech. and means they come
fegning purity and innocence-seemingly as
mild and harmless as n sheep st. Mt, % q;
Cor. IL: 1915: . Tim, 3: 5.
4. lnwardly. In fact, truly. at heart.
5. Wolves. metaphor They were not
wolves. Chrisi's followers are called flock OF
sheep Christ is their Shepherd The false
prophets were injurious to the flock. They
sought to rob it of spiritual life Wolves are
great enemies of sheep. wolf is the emblem
of cruelty and destructiveness. st. Matt, 10 16;
st. John, 10 IL; Acts, 30; 2 Tim, 2: IL,
IS.
6. Know them. Be able to distinguish them
from genuine Christians
Z. Fruits. Actions conduct, manners, the
bad results of their doctrines, fanatcism.
heresy, sectarianism. proselytism. This prin
ciple is true rs to some teachers, and also as to
their institutions for enforcing errors.
8. Thorns. st. Matt, Il 6 Sec bramble-
bushes III St. Luke, 81: Al. ThOrns, thistles.
and the products of BRAN be- bushes are very
similar in effect. By the bramble-bush to-
day We understand raspberry and blackberry
bushes. Thistles, thorns. and bramble-bushes
may mean false teachers of religion, or teachers
of evil doctrines
9. Grapes and figs. By these we understand
persons correct in doctrine and conduct.
We are informed that thorn berries greatly
resemble grapes in appearance, and that thistle
heads remind one OF figs
10. Corrupt. Literally this means deeayed,
rotten. 1t denotes, DIR. Barnes says, what is
originally-that is to say by nature-useless;
not what has become so from former State of
goodness. DIR. Clarke renders "unfit for use"
The idea is probably to show the distinction be-
tween the wild natural growth and the Guilt
waited.
IL. Evil. Bad injurious, hurtful, productive
OF disease or death, uncultivated.
ID Inr1 Inr1 Tho i6pa 10 unt that th0sa
who speak to Christ in these particular words
are OdiOus. The words refer to the spirit in
which Christ is addressed. The thought is that
the mere saying amounts to nothing-that
words-any words-are useless unless actions
correspond. Mere profession is of no account.
Lord, Lord, may mean teacher, teacher. The
Jews so styled their Rabbis. The original idea
Greek Ruros, authority, Surely ifthey styled
Christ Lord, Ruler. consistency would demand
that they should DOLLS will-obey Him.
PARABLE OF THE Rock AND THE SAND.
Data.
st. Matt, z: 24-27; st. Luke, 6: 47-49.
When.
A. D. 81, May ~.
Place.
Mount of Beatitudes.
Definitions.
/. Sayings. The Sermon on the Mount. 1t
seems that the teachings, precepts, doctrines oil
this discourse are a summary Of Christianity.
man is wise man. a Christian, who conforms
to them. They exhibit, however, q kind of ex-
ternal Christianity. Nothing is said of creed.
Here is a system of duties. But we see their
performance demands an inner principles
right faith-a correct belief-a sincere motive.
Here we have an outline of practice. For the
principle, which should prompt their execution,
the further instructions of Christ-the
history OF the human race as shown in the
Old Testament-the grand philosophy OF
Christianity as set forth in 81. PauPs epis-
ties. No doubt can be entertained rs to
the acceptableness to God of one who
conforms from principle to the instructions
of Christ as set forth in this sermon. The
pronoun "these," in" these sayings of nine,"
seems to limit the sayings to the principles OF
this discourse. "These sayings" do not
seem to be Christ's sayings in general. embrac-
ing Christ's teachings throughout his own
ministry, but these sayings (of mine In this
discourse) the ones to which reference is
made. All of Christ's teachings were, how
ever, right along the line of this sermon.
Character Building
There is call for good foundatisn-the best
of materials-correcta NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. en-
vironment, etc.
Only few days before his death John
Wesley said: How necessary it is for every
one to be on the right foundation" And on
the next day: "There is way into the holt
est but by the blood of Jesus. He is the foun-
dation. the only foundation, and there is no
other"
Not only must each Christian construct his
character and hopes On Christ, but the Church
in mass must lay basis on this Rock. AS said
DR.. Watts:
Behold the sure foundaton-stone
Which God in Zion lays,
To build our heavenly hopes upon,
And his eternal praise.
"The foolish builders scribe and priest.
Reject il with disdain;
Yet u this Rock the Church shall rest
And envy rnge in vain.
"what though the gates of hell withstood?
Yet must this building rise;
IT'S thine own work, Almighty God,
Aud wondrous in our eyes"