The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-06-05
THE SUNDAY-SCHO LESSON.
June 6, 1s97-James iii, lib.

By DAVIS w. CLARK.
1t was no caprice that surnamed st. James
"the lust" For upTightness and stability Paul
Iikens him to a pillar He was the TALL white
column, support and ornament of the church in
Jerusalem. His magnanimous reception of Paul,
his efficient presidency over the first church coun-
Gil, and his epistle give gints of his adj
mirable character. 1t is in his epistle especially
that his judicial spirit is apparent. There he
holds the balances with a hand so firm that
oscillation is impossible and demands that the
equilibrium between creed and deed shall be
maintained. His immortal monograph on
the tongue is only another phase Of his general
principle that life and profession shall agree;
that the deeds Of the lips shall answer to the
professed creed of the heart. His illus
trations are singulary apt The powerful steed
can be restrained by a fragment of iron. The
ship, even IN gale obeys plt OF WOOD not d
thousandth part its size so the CONGRESSMAN,
like the bit or the rudder-moves the person at
its will. but not like them TO good advantage.
The tongue does mischief like the spark IN the
forest. 1t is a mcrocosm of evil. 1t sets on fire
the wheel of nature, which with every revolution
fans its own flame: In the tongue Is the essence
of diabolIsm. Carnieorous beasts have been made
to eat grass like the ox-serpents' fangs have
been extracted, monsters Of sea and air have
been domesticated. The tongue alone suTpasses
the power of man unaided to subdue it. The
tongue is the standing paradox. 1t blesses God,
and curses man who bears his image. Nature
is the standing rebUke to this standing paradox.
No fountain sends out waters bitter and sweet.
So each tree and vine bears its fruit So
the guileless tongue is the evidence of the guile
less heat A bridled tongue, a bridled body.
MOSAIC FROM COMMENTARIES.
Be not many masters: R. ", teachers-school
teachers or masters; refers to those eager to
speak in meetings. X There was prevail
ing desire 10 become public teachers without
gard to OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Prescribing to one another so as to make our
own sentiments a standard by which to try
others.-Henry.
1t condemns persons of that large class who
assume that no Incompetence is too absolute to
ing down the law of truth for others.-Farrar.
Greater condemnation: r. ", heavier judg-
nent: Those who undertake to teach are held
to more strict accountability. We Of
fend all: r. v, we all stumble we are all apt
Il. ", how much wood; how great a forest
The tongue fire: 1t is the instrument
of producing the most desperate contentious
Beasts. birds, serpents: Nearly all the domestic
animals which we are accustomed to see only
when they are tame were once fierce and savage
Barnes.
An unruly evil; R. v, a restless evil: " !"
After the similitude: r. ", after the likeness
Brethren, things ought not be: The
brotherhood in Christ will assuredly themselves
understand how severe reprobation such conduct
deserves.-J. F. and Is.
Doth a fountain Get the habit of SANDER, and
there is not stream which bubbles fresh from
the heart of nature there is not tree that
silently brings forth its genial fruit in its APP
pointed season which does not rebuke and pro
WOrld.-RobertSon.
A good conversations r. ", by his lip
THE TEACHERS CULVER.
/. Perhaps never in the history or the cburc"
were there more people ambitious to teach from
the pulpit. All sorts-men, women and children
set themselves up to expound Scripture. The
interpretations often brave and novel. The
Injunction of ST. James needs to be reiterated
Brothers, don't be forward in explaining doc
trines in which the wisest are apt to stumble.
Beware of the severe condemnation of those who
teach enormously"
2 Those who are more religious than moral get
precious little comfort from the Epistle OF ST.
James. 1t IS a scalpel laying open the deep re-
cesses of the heart, where thoughts and intents
lie hidden.
3. Age of persecution is not quite passed. In
struments only changed. AS Lowell says:
"Our modern martyrdoms are done in type" An
unbrdled tongue can cause indescribabe damage
and pain.
4 The devil was the first slanderer His name
is significant of his chief occupation. Slanderers
are his children. 'Adders poison is under their
lips"
5. But as in nature, the forces which, uncon-
trolled, produce the worst havoc, within bounds
are amiabe and serviceaEle so of the tongue
from it may come good teaching for man and
praise for God, a sweet stream making glad and
garden like touches.