The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-03-14

by KEN. JAMES Il. IL. u,
Secretary of the American Society of Re-
ligious Education.
CONTENTIOUS last lesson closed leaving
Jesus in Judea- After answering the law
yer duke x, $50 He proceeded on His Jour-
ney and came into the village OF Bethany.
There He accepted the hospitality of Mary
and Martha, both of whom showed their ap-
probation of their distinguished visitor, the
former by sitting at His feet to learn, the
latter by ministering to His comfort. duke
x, 3S-42.) That home was destined to become
the resting place and asylum in after
months, even to the end Of His earthly min
istry. Mark XII, H. Leaving Bethany Jesus
went forth with His disciples into retirement.
The place and events of that seclusion are
wholly unknown. Probably He continued
the instruction which had been interrupted
by the lawyer, seeking to bring the whole
company into full sympathy with each other
and with himself. Sweet holy converse. 1t
was too intimate and delicate to find record
on the pages of those sketches that have
been preserved for the disciples OF the after
centuries.
OCCASION.-Our present lesson pertains to
the close of that private interview. Jesus
had been engaged in prayer, perhaps with
the disciples, perhaps by himself. With
Him, as with US, there are times of desired
communion with others at the throne Of
mercy, and there are other times when one
ought to be alone with God. (hiatt. vi, g.
Some one urged Jesus on this occasion to
teach the disciples to pray. His example
and spirit had awakened their desire, and
made them conscious of their ignorance and
weakness. 1t was pleaded that John the
Baptist had done the same with his dis
cfp1oC nm fnforocffnO foot a. tho ainictr ~
that eminent preacher. Christ's prayer meet
ing was probably more blessed than Johns,
and they desired to know the secret. Jesus
granted the request, showing that while any
SspaaaHnI oae mark IN Of S1 piesy sAc masi *. Fl fD, set
one needs instruction In order TO render this
service in its best manner Eccl. v. L.
Minister'S ought now to observe this fact and
ANALYSIs.-The response of Jesus to the
request of the disciples may be divided Into
VERSES 2-D, substantially the same as that
found in the ordination sermon Matt. vi,
sl3), except that the concluding doxology
is omitted. That model will be treated here
under two heads-the petitions for the Di-
vine honor and glory and those for the ben
efit OF the petitioner, the latter being purely
human. After the form of prayer Jesus Of
under three Notwithstanding. promise ana
s0nship. He evidently felt that His discl-
pies would need encouragement more than
a model, for He occupied more time and
space with the one than with the other. Ii
| has always been so. Men are more in dan
ger Of ceasing. to pray altogether than they
are OF employing improper language. But
mere Jesus correlates the method OF prayer
topic clearer and more forceful by the truth
contained In the other, and 50 exceeding the
tie form Jesus begins with
three petitions pertaining primarily to God,
but involving also the welfare of men-rey-
erence for His name, the coming of His
kingdom, the doing of His will. THESE were
all prominent Old Testament themes. LEY.
fcormuiatsd and enjoined 5Ex. Xxx, SID that
for which the Christian Is instructed 10
pray. showing that the essentials of right
v, 49, These petitions are set in new light
by the two important considerations. They
REGARDED d as a father a. Whinie slimpses 81
such relation were obtained In the former
time Qsa; xiv. 3d.. 1t was reserved for Je-
act according to it. Matt. V, 49, The pray
er was also to be offered with thoughts Of
scother world, In which Goa Is perfectly
ject being to set up q heavenly kingdom in
abound. (Rev. xxi, la
PERSOSAL-After this higher view and
petitioner may descend to himself. To b.
sure. the individual is included in the total
beyond. 1t would be quite enough to cry
sour Father. Thy will be done" And ye'
for which appears in its form. There IL
first a single request or temporalities-n0
riches. not honors. but daily bread, really
the portion which a father sees a child needs
each day. III Tines. Ill. l2l The evident IN
tention Is to curb the earthly desires CHeb
Matt. vi. 34.) We are not TO infer that mar
must have nothing more than bread. no sur
plus for the future prov vi. 81 Wealth
is a gift OF God 10 be used for His glory
Job Kill. 12.) After seeking food man snouls
turn TO his spiritual interests. He can IL
for forgiveness based on his practice towars
his fellow tMatt. vi, IA. 1sl. and after pardol
for past. ofenses he must seek protection
in q world Of sin. seeking q new worl'