St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1896-01-31
Lesson for Feb. Q, Luke o: 4I-4o.

saw" Luke 6; 46.
The sermon on the mount was spoken
near the middle OF the second year OF
Jesus ministry, in the summer OF A. d.
Is, probably on the Horns of Hat'in''
otherwise called the Mount OF Beattudes.
This mountain with two tops, about
sixty feet high, is situated seven miles
southwest of Capernaum and two or
three miles back from the sea of Galilee.
This sermon is given quite fully by Mat
thew but more briefly by Luke, and is
not mentioned by Mark or John. Ac-
cording to Luke's narrative in this chap
ter. verses - to 49, the delivery OF the
sermon would seem to have followed a
night of solitary prayer, spent on the
mountain, and a morning devoted to
the selection OF His twelve disciples,
afterward called apostles. Some think,
however, that the apostles were not for
maly called at this time as Matthew
does not seem to have been called till
later, Matt 9: 6. The sermon on the
mount marks the beginning in Jesus
ministry of more full and elaborate eX-
position of the principles of His kingdom.
By His tour through Galilee, by the
working OF many miracles and accom-
panying teachings, the minds OF the PEG.
pie were, in a measure, prepared tor
fuller unfolding of spiritual truth and its
application to their hearts and daily
lives. This sermon exhibits the kingdom
OF God as the aim OF the old dispensation.
1t formed the point of transition from
the law to the gospel. 1t marked the
new kingdom as founded in righteous
ness, in unselhsh love and as having do
miniou over mems hearts. As given by
Luke, it appears to have been spoken by
Iesus to His disciples in the presence OF a
large multitude. 1t commenced withthe
beatitudes, showing that true blesSedness
depends, not on anything outward and
material, but on a pure heart and low
ing unselfsh spirit; it consists in inward
Righteousness. Some of the points in the
sermon, given by Luke previous to our
lesson, are the duty Of love, forgiveness,
and kindly acts towards all men, even
though they may be bitter enemies; I'M
charitable judgments OF Others are for
hidden, while the most generous treat
ment of them is urged, and all are eX
horted to become the children OF the |
Highest, who is kind to the unthankIul
and the evil, by emulating His example, |
Encouragement is given that by such
course the disciple may become as his
Master. Matthew, chaps. 81.
Verses II, AZ. In these verses Jesus
would rebuke the too common practice |
OF sitting in judgment on others faults,
while making no effort to discover and |
correct ones own. Why give attention
to the mote in a brothers eye, This COM
paratively trivial faults, while entirely |
overlooking the beam in thine own eye
the more fragrant faults that mar their
own character The same thought is
still further illustrated by the searching
question, how, with any moral consist
ency or hope of good, one could 90 to
brother or neighbour to induce him to
correct faults of character, when he re-
manned utterly Indifferent to his own,
greater evil habits or vices. The start
ling language, Thou hypocrite, cast
out first the beam out Of thine own eye"
ETC., implies that the man who is Jealous
in searching out others faults and in re-
forming them, but gives no heed to his
own character, is guilty of hypocricy.
Selfreiorm must precede efforts to reform
Others. The seeing clearly how to help
our neighbors correct their faults, only
follows successful efforts to correct our
own.
Verses 43-45. The thought here seems
to be, we must reform ourselves before
we can reform Others, because. as every |
tree, or shrub, or vine produces fruit that |
partakes OF its nature, so the influence |
of man on Others will be like what he.
in his inmost heart, is. His inward
character will determine his moral inhu-
ence. Unless he has an inward right
eousness he is untitled to sit in judgment
on and attempt to reform Others. A
good tree brings forth good fruit-lruit
like itself corrupt tree brings forth
fruit that partakes OF its nature-corrupt
fruit. So the godly man will bring forth
fruits OF goodness, and can help Others
to begodly. The ungodly, evilly disposed
man will bring forth morally evil fruit,
and will tend, by personal influence and
example, to make others such as he is.
The heart is the source Of his influence
and determines its character A selfish,
impure, morally corrupt man will no
more elevate individuals and regenerate
society, than will a bramble bush pro-
duce grapes Men speak and live out, in
the long run, what is in their hearts
what they really are, A good man out
of the good treasure of his heart lives a
life of holy endeavor and fruits OF right
eousness are gathered from his boughs.
Verse 46. This and the following
verses seem TO be the conclusion of this
sermon in which Jesus rebukes His hear
ers for calllnn Him | ord nnd II 1hn