The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-04-29
SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON FOR
MAY 3.
Lesson Text: "Faith," Luke xviii,
5-19-Golden Text: Luke xviii,
documentary.

8. "Increase our faith" We read In Rom.
K, IL, that iaith cometh by herring and
nearing by the word OF God. II we firmly
believe one word Of God. that is faith in God.
Ii we believe two words, that Is more fatb,
and SO on. Faith is not feeling nor An
emotion, but simply firm and steadfast
resting on what the God OF truth has said,
wholly regardless Of our feelings or crcum-
stances. Fai says. ~ believe God that it
shall be even MS 1t was told me- (Acts xvii,
25), even though as In tho case OF Paul
everything seems against 1t.
6. "And the Lord said, II We had faith az a
grain Of mustard seed" A mustard seed is
very small seed, but it has life in 1t which,
when planted in the earth, will SOON make
itself manifesr. The life OF faith Is the word
of God, and this word planted in the soul
will sursly grow, but II must be planted. II
only on the surface, like the seed by the way
side, the devil will catch 1t away. II on
rocky or thorny soil, 1t will either w!ther or
be choked, but received into an honest heart
1t will bear fruit to the glory Of God. -.
10. This illustration Of the servant doing
what he was commanded seems intended to
enforce obedience, simple and unquestion-
that they should forgive a brother seven
times a day If necessary. To this they said,
"Increase our faith" when 1t was not mat.
ter OF faith, but Of simple and unquestioninS
obedience. Having been forgiven millions
OF offenses by Him, who laid down His life
for US, ana needing and receiving that for
giveness in greater or less degree continu-
ally, 1t Is surely small matter that we for
give others even seven times day.
10. 1--WE are Improbable servants. We
have done that which was our duty to do
han~ kba ofT hr;o Tao,, n,,r
Lord are often heard 10 say, 81 ought to do
this and that" Aud the most Of their re-
ligion Is doing what they feel they ought to
do, but really have no heart for. They would
not like to be considered Improbable SER
wants, but let them consider this word of our
Lord. 1t Is so different when the love Of
Christ constraineth II Col. W, 14). God did
not give His Son and the Son did not give
Himself because He thought He ought to,
but because He loved so.
II. ale passed through the midst OF Sa-
maria and Galilee." He was on His way to
Jerusalem to die, and, although He knew
that the Samaritans would not receive Him
duke tx, 51-53). yet He loved them enough
to give them the opportunity. He was. in
sense, ever laying down His life while on
His way to Golgotha, where He actually laid
it down. He pleased not Himself. He glo-
rifed God. He gave His life for His enemies.
He desires, in the person Of His followers, to
be still passing through the midst OF those
who need Him, whether they will have Him
or not.
-. "There met Him ten men that vere
lepers. which stood afar Off" He knew that
BE 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 lepcrs may stand for all the unclean
whom Jesus came to heal.
19. "Jesus, Master, have mercy on u.s."
cry OF real need and Of utter helplessness.
He helps those who have no helper, not those
who can help themselves, rs some say. He
came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
They that are whole, in their own estimation.
will not be likely to call physician. But
sinking Peter, and unclean lepers, and help
less blind men, who plead nothing but their
great need and His mercy will always get
His ear, ard find His heart full OF compass
sion, and His arm strong 10 save.
IA. Gas they went they were cl,ansed.' "
Here is case of unquestioning obedience.
They asked for health, and He told them to
20 and show themselves unto the priests ac-
cording to law. as written In Lev. xiii, and
xiv. for He came not to destroy the law, but
to fulfill it and to magnifyit In chapter v,
Il, He first healed the leper and then sent
MIN to the priest, but here tho lepers are sent
without being healed, and their cleansing
came as they obeyed. There Is always bless
ing in obedience.
is. "Oue Of them, when he saw that no
was healed, turned back. and with loud
voice gloriaed God" His heart is full. He
cannot restrain his JOY. He must stop ani
thank his Healer before he goes to the priest.
Jesus Is God manifest in the flesh. God IN
Christ has healed him. He will first thank
"a M fhop cfil commanded show
himself to the priest.
16. "Apd fell down on his face at His feet.
giving Him thanks and he was Samaritan
Who SO offereth praise 2loritieth God Cps. l..
23), and It is always good thing to give
thanks unto the Lord. How many times we
ask Him for mercies, but not always do We
return to give Him thanks. In trouble we
cry unto the Lord, but in prosperity we OF
fail to praise Him.
II. "And Jesus answering said, Were there
not ten cleaned2 But where are the nine?'
he certainly looks for our gratitude, and In
everything we are to give Him thanks q
Thess, ", 18). 1--we only believed the things
that are freely given to US OF God q Cor. IL,
12). and thut we are blessed with all spiritual
blessings in Christ (Eph. l., 81, our hearts
would be full Of thanksgiving for ourselves
and of petitions for others less favored. 1t
is our privilege to BIZ wholly at rest concern
ing ourselves once we are in Christ and to
live wholly unto Him to bless others.
18. "There are not found that returned 10
eivaglory to G ID save this stranger" We
might ask: Where are all these who trusted
Him to save them2 How many are in their
daily life giving glory to God? But more
practical question for each one is Has he
healed me3 And II SO am making 1t mani
fest in my life that I am not my own, but
that am bought with price that may
glorify God in my body and spirit which are
His? Il Cor. VI, 1s, 2O.) Am obeying the
command, "Whether, therefore, ye. eat or
drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the
glory OF God2" i Cor. x, 31.) Or am con,
tent with Righteousness which shows itself
to earthly priests without seeking chiefly
and In all things the glory OF Godp
19. "And He said unto him, Arise, 80 tiny
way; thy faith hath madethee whole" The
nine were cleansed from their leprosy, but
this man goes away cleansed body and soul.
The woman who touched the hem OF HIS
garment was healed Of her infrmity. but
when he said to her: Daughter, be OF good
comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.
Go in peace (chapter viii, 4s). there
was something more han healing Tor the
hodv-Tesson HELPER,