The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1897-09-15
The SUNDAY SCHOOL
International Lesson for September
10, 1S07-PauPs Address to the
Epheslnn EIders-Acts 2Oi 22-35.

ARRANGED from Pelouoet's Notesl
GOLDEN TEXT.-Remember the words
OF the Lord Jesus, how He said: IL is more
blessed TO give than TO receive.-Acts
THE SECTION includes the whole OF
chapter 70. together with a review OF
residence at Ephesus Chap 49,.
EXPLANATORY.
Paul was expelled from Ephesus,
after laboring there for three years.
The next ten months were spent in
Macedonia and Greece, in revisiting the
churches he had founded four TO six
years before, on his second missionary
journey. After three months at
Corinth, Paul started on his journey TO
Jerusalem, hoping to reach there by
Pentecost ". 16), May II, A. ID. So.
He was going to carry the aims he
had collected, as we learn from his
address before Felix (Acts 24:17, and
from Rom. 1925. 26).
PAUL'S CONFERENCE WITH THE ELL
DERS AT EPHESUS.
At Miletus, on Sunday, April %, So.
There was brief delay of the ship at
Miletus. The time of the sailing of the
ship was uncertain, so Paul, instead of
going to Ephesus himself, sent for the
leaders of that church to meet him at
Miletus. Then followed one of the most
touching and perfect addresses ever
spoken.
/. A Review of the Past.-Vs. 1921. "a
His life was open before them. (2)
His work was amid many trials. (3)
He supported himself by daily labor
". 34). ca He was humble and un-
selfish Tvs. 10, 33). 60 He was faith
full. (6) He labored publicly. (O He
went from house to house. (S) His
teaching, repentance and faith.
III. The Present Outlook.-Vs. 22-30.
22 81 60 bound in the spirit SIN
his own spirit. Constrained 10y an in
vincible sense of duty."-M. r. Vim
cent Not knowing The things"
What will be the particular events.
30. Hath bonds:" Chains, impris-
onment, as at Cesarea and Rome. "Af-
fictions:" Most of the lessons follow
ing in Acts are on account Of these
Affections. "Abide me-" There was
some dark, unknown calamity looming
up in the future, strange, indetnable,
but terrible.
"a. None of these things move me-
from the path of duty. $50 that L
might finish my course:" He speaks
of his life under the figure of a race
course, in which as an athlete he is
pressing toward the goal and the re-
ward. With joy" Of an accom-
plished work, of successful service;. the
| Joy of gaining the victory and winning
the crown. And the ministry" The
service of God in bringing in His king
dom and leading men TO Christ. 10
testify" Paul did not originate the
Gospel, he did not make his own doc
trines; he only bore witness TO what
God had taught him.
25. "And now L know" L
am convinced, feel sure. Not an in
spired knowledge. "Shall see my face
no more:" He was going on toward
prison and death.
26. wherefore l take you to rec
ord" / call YOU TO witness. Il am pure
from the blood of all mem" The eN-
preston is borrowed from the crime of
murder, as an innocent man would say:
upon my garments is no stain OF
blood of men l have slain"
90. "For know" both from observa-
ton and experience, and from the in
sight given by the Holy Spirit. "Shall
grievous wolves:" They were those
who taught false doctrines, evil prin-
ciples and bad morals, and brought
worldliness and contentious.
30. "Of your own selves:" The wolves
were enemies who came in from with
out, as Judaizing teachers; the men
speaking perverse things grew up
among the members Of the church, and
taught in the name of Christianity.
"Perverse things:" The most danger
Gus errors are truths distorted and
perverted; truth enough to make some
believe them. and error enough to in
lure or ruin those who do believe.
III. Parting Counsels in View of
These Things.-Vs. 1885. First, Watch.
81. Therefore watch" The picture in
this word is of a sleeping man rousing
himself, on the alert, as man on
guard in the night.
Second. Remember. as an example.
as an inspiration. Paul had been on
the watch for the whole three years
he was with them.
Third. Hope. 30 ITO the word of
His grace" The precious truths and
promises which God has sent to us in
His Word, and by His Lord Jesus Christ
John 1:1-1D. able to build you up"
The Christian is to be built up upon the
foundation of Jesus Christ, like tenn
pie. costly, beautiful, lighted, filled
with worship and love.
Fourth, Work. 80, "a. II have COW
eted:" etc. l have sought you and not
yours. And 1 have shown it as "ye
yourselves know" by supporting my
self by the labor of my hands at tent
making.
Fifth, Help Others. 35. Eye ought to
support the weak" That is, those I'M
able, in consequence of physical in
trinity, to labor for their own support.
No Christian should labor chiefly for
himself "And to remember the words
of the Lord jesus" The words are not
in our gospels. Schaff says that "out-
side the inspired memories of the Cos