The Indianapolis journal., 1896-02-08

out of your brothers eye while the beam
every Christian to assist his brother in
efforts to overcome evil (Gal. vi, ID Such
assistance is the highest proof of Christ
sign of the Christian fraternity. (Gal. vi,
l0) But who, while under the dominion of
evil. will have confidence to approach an
be repelled with the old proverb, "Physi-
clan, heal thyself? G.uke tv S2 OF. If
service might be proffered with boldness
one do? Absolutely nothing. For a man
blind to his own sins never knows the
nature of sin, neither its power nor remedy.
The skill, the disposition to proceed rightly
and probably with another can be OBJ
tanned only in that earnest investigation Of
ones self which results in mastery, more
or less complete, of personal defects. Any
attempt prior TO that will be hypocritical,
destined to result in inquiry to both parties;
for all ministers, to learn! The Christian
should be saved sinner going to unsaved
FRUITAGE.-Having exhibited two as
poets OF the subjects of service, Jesus pre-
sents it's philosophy. "A good tree brings
forth good fruit. a bad tree corrupt fruit :"
What is true in the vegetable world is true
with man-good men good action, bad men
bad action. He is thus calling attention to
the interior life of the disciples. the
the outer life. Matt. xii, 34) In this He
touched the characteristic feature of all
His teaching. BY mistaken interpretation
the rabhs had taught conformity to law,
the performance of prescribed acts, count
ing that righteous. (Rom- ill., 20) He
would have it known what was absolutely
taught even in the Old Testament (Deut. v,
29), that the heart must be made right be-
fore any acceptable conduct John Iii. % is
possible He desired His ministers to count
piety the first concern. Their success
would depend primarily upon that-nct
upon their learning or talents or social
standing, although such gifts are not to
l~< <Iac cod 1ff n a
fullness of their spiritual life. of which all
their service would be the fruitage.
Goodness before usefulness" was to be
oFESSIoN.-Turning to the sound
topic of our lesson, Practice after learn
ing" We have another question Verse 4S).
addressed to the disciples. WIN call me
Lord. and do not the things / say?' At
first sight this seems to negative what
went before: to emphasize conduct and
obscure the inner life, for which an earn
est plea had just been made. But Jesus
was not contradicting His former teaching
mode mode fs of chaPacter building. Men must be
good I'm order to serve, but they must obey
the truth in order to be good (John viii,
81. s2) Jesus did not come come into the world world
a school OF thought. He did not call men
ABOUT Him for an intellectual apprehen-
sion of His words M II any my SO d,n thought a they
lation to Him. He came to be Savior.
Matt. i. 2l) As such He claimed al
legiance. HIS WORDS We're OF little vdiue 70
any who would not yield submissively. to
their requirements. Matt. xiii, 23) That
profession is vain which does not secure
obedience. Men are indeed justified by
faith but their faith is justified by works
(James /. 22-25)
OBEDIENCE.-All this must have been
plain TO the disciples. To make them feel
its force Jesus shows the consequences of
two modes of life possible to them. He
likens the obedent to those who dig deep
unmoved in the storm. The words of Jesus
contain fundamental truth. They have not
only that life-giving power tJohn vi, 63)
which imparts lost energy to the SOUL but
those principles on which rests the govern
ment of God, and by which may be secured
the welfare of man. To come to a knowl-
edge of those truths is to be made ac-
ouanted with centuries and realities of the
order established by the Maker, and to live
according to them Is to put ones self in
when turmoil and trouble come the man
will be secure, for his life Is adjusted TO
the Plans. of God. He is inseparably Joined
TO that which cannot be shaken by any mere
circumstance: psalm XVI. 2. s.l Studious
hearing and immediate practice OF what our
Lord spoke will make one strong and pa
tient as we'll as good
DISCBEDIENCE.-Je then put the op-
posite case OF the man who "heareth and do
eth not" and likened him unto a man who
the storm came. Ii is said that in Eastern
countries many peasants without fore
thought erect little huts. which are swept
away by the torrents that come from the
hillside The frightful wrecks of human lives
may be seen all along the streams OF time.
People have begun their fortunes on the
maxims OF other men. For a time they
seem to build we'll and TO prosper. AS the
with delight. and possibly with envy. Alas.