Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-02-11
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
SERIOUS SUBJECTS CAREFULLY
CONSIDERED.
A Scholarly Exposition Of the Lesson
Thoughts Worthy of Calm Refiec-
tion-HaIf an Hour's Study of the
Scriptures-Time Well Spent.
Lesson for Feb. IA.


''The Prison Opened" is the subject Of
this lesson, the explanatory matter being
found in Acts 8: 1882. The fear that
arose in the church on account Of the ter
-ible punishment of Ananias and Sap
phira was evidence of a quickened con-
science; and the cause of Christ pros
pered more than ever before. Acts 81;
1916 describe the increased favor of the
people, Notwithstanding persecution, and
the miracles of healing performed by the
apostles. Such success naturally aroused
again the apprehension and indignation
Of the ruling members of the priestly class,
who saw that their profession would suf-
fer if the new preaching was allowed to
continue.
Explanatory.
"The high priest rose up: not rose from
his seat, for the council was not in ses-
sion. 1t is figurative expression; the
high priest became excited. 'They that
were with him." all the leading members
of the priestly class were Sadducees,
though the mass of the people were Phar-
isees. "The angel of the Lord: Again on
a later occasion a similar deliverance was
effected Q2: y. Whether the apostles
saw the angel or merely found the doors
open and heard the voice. we are not told
"All the words Of this life: this is rather
obscure as it stands. This life" means
eternal life, ''the life" by pre-eminence.
"When they heard that: instant obedi-
ence to orders was the rule of their lives.
--''Early in the morning.: Hackett has
this comment: "The temple had already
opened its gates to the worshipers and
the traffickers accustomed to resort thith-
er. The people of the East commence the
day much earlier than is customary with
us. During q great part of the year in
Palestine the heat becomes oppressive
soon after sunrise, and the inhabitants
therefore assign their most important du-
ties and labors to the early hours of the
day. Nothing is more common at the
present time than to see the villagers GO
ing forth TO their employment in the fields
while the night and day are still strug-
Cling with each other. Worship is often
performed in the synagogues at Jerusa-
lem before the sun appears above Olivet."
-"Al the senate of the children of Is
raer': the part of the Sanhedrim which
consisted of elders. Their advice was
especially desired.
''They feared the people,: the apostles
had gained the favor of the people by their
ministrations of healing, as well us by
the gracious message which they preach
ed. 1--WE ought to obey God rather than
men" There was no answer to that. 1t
put an end to argument. "Whom We
slew: once more the accusation is repeat
ed, and those that heard were convulsed
with rage: "cut to the heart" verse 33 is
n misleading translation. They were not
conscience-stricken, but enraged.
Verses 33-42 should be carefully studied.
1t is unwise TO bring n class to certain
degree of interest in the precarious plight
of the apostles before the Sanhedrim, and
then leave the story in mid-air beginning
the following week with an entirely new
subject, THE First Christian Martyr"
The teacher must teach the whole lesson,
verses 11-42. The discussion in the coun-
ell throws interesting light on the charac-
ter of the liberal leaders of the time.
Gamaliel was "a jealous Pharisee, unriv-
aled in that age for his knowledge of the
law, distinguished teacher, and possess
ing an enlarged, tolerating spirit, far
above the mass of his countrymen." His
speech shows the caution and wisdom Of
practiced statesman. Theudas, whose
insurrection is mentioned in verse 80. is
unknown by name in Jewish history, but
he was undoubtedly one of the many
rebels who caused uprisings about the
time Of the death of Herod the Great. The
fact that a rebellion of one Theudas is
mentioned by Josephus as occurring in the
reign of Claudius, ten years after the de-
livery of Gamaliel's speech, has been sup
posed by some to indicate that the writer
OF Acts has made mistake. and has con-
fused names or dates; but this supposition
is unnecessary. The account of Judas the
Galilean agrees with Josephus' narrative.
His insurrection, about A. D. z. was di-
rected against a special tax law on the
jews by the Roman Government. Ca
maliers conclusion is certainly one that
shows shrewdness and pety combined.
We are not, however, to suppose that he
was friendly TO Christianity. he merely
entertained doubt whether il might NOT
possibly be of God. That his advice pre-
vailed shows the power Of calm man in
a crowd of angry people; he would how
ever, have failed probably to convince his
associates had he not been the greatest
teacher of the time. After beating. there
fore, the apostles were releasede with n
further injunction not to preach Christ.
which they Immediately disobeyed. Their
testimony was heard gladly by the people,
the more so because Gamaliel's words had
perhaps been spread abroad, ans the
church prospered.
Teaching Hints.
No barriers can stand against the angel
of the Lord. Prison doors caunot confine
those whom the Lord wills to make free.
Boldness in speaking in defense of ones
faith may bring persecution, but it seldom
fails to win respect. When the apostles
spoke those memorable words, "We ought
to obey God rather than men," they gave
a watchword for martyrs of all ages. No
arguments, could move men whose pur-
pose was fixed on such an ideal. No per-
secution could silence them. Again we
notice the faithful preaching that char
acterized all the apostolic ministry. They
did not hesitate to tell the truth about sin
under all circumstances. always adding
the way of salvation from sin through
Christ.
Blessed Are the Peaccmakcrs
once knew famous man who lived
to be IS. the delight of all about him.
He always stood up for the right. with
an eye like an eagles when Ii flashed
fire at what was wrong. / have an old
grammar all tattered and torn, which
he used when a little schoolboy. In
the first page I'm his-oWn hand IL writ