Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1897-11-25

Lesson for November 20.
Golden Text-Be We therefore sober,
and watch unto prayer.-1 Peter A: Z.
The lesson this week may be entitled
"Salutary Warning" 1t Is found in
Peter A: Is. Where was the first epistle
of Peter written? / Pet. 8: 13. To
whom was II written? Pet. 1: 1. Why
was 1t written? Pet 4: II, ID. When
was it written? ! Pet. A: II (supposed to
refer to Nero's persecution, A. ID. 66-6S),
Whether Peter was in Babylon in the
far East, or in Rome, mystic name of
which, in early times, was Babylon, we
do not know. The latter seems more
probable.
If we are correct in assuming that
Peter wrote this letter to the Christians
of central and northern Asia Minor to
strengthen and warn them in the time Of
the great persecution of Nero, VIC have
a key to the understanding Of the book.
Its twofold message is one Of comfort and
of admonition; comfort, in view Of the un-
fading inheritance that Is reserved for
those who endure persecution Il: 3-12),
and in view Of the love and mercy Of God,
which appears all through the epistle;
and warning against the great danger Of
relapsing into old sins under stress of the
peculiar temptations of the time. Peter
knew well enough how Christians of real
devotion might fall In the fierce struggle
of persecution, for he himself had denied
his Lord.
Explanatory.
This verse is not any too clear. "For
the time past of our life may suffice us to
have wrought the will of the Gentiles"
seems to mean, however, that the Chris
tians to whom Peter writes have already
wasted enough Of their lives serving the
devil, and it is high time for them to put
away evil forever. The picture he gives
is not pleasant observation-disclosures
lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquet
ings and abominable idolatries." 1t does
not overdraw, however, the conditions of
things among the Greeks Of that time.
We learn from Paurs letter to the CORN
thians that some of these sins had not dis
appeared entirely even from the Christian
churches. Indeed it is seldom fully
realized how great were the difficulties of
the leaders of the early church in bring
ing men OF sinful lives into conformity to
the Christian model and gathering them
The gospel was preached in the past for
the same purpose that it is preached now
Ito lead men to live according to the
spirit, but also to condemn those who re-
fuse so to live.
During the persecution Of Nero it did
indeed seem as IL the acme Of iniquity
had been reached. and that the last times
were at hand. No wonder, il Peter was
In Rome during those fearful days, that
he should believe the end to be near.
Watch unto prayer" is in the revised
version ''be sober unto prayer" In either
case the meaning is, watch or be sober
with prayer. and in such spirit that
prayer will be heard.
: Love covereth a multitude Of sins; that
was one Of Peters life lessons, which had
grown upon him during his stormy ca
reer; a truth that the gentler John seem
ed to feel intuitively. Peter himself had
learned how to love, and he knew that
only so far as he grew like his Master in
hat respect could he have strong in
fuence over men. The same warning
then, he gives to these Christians for
whom he felt so strong an anxiety
though most Of them were strangers to
him.
Teaching Hints.
1t Is quite appropriate to take up at this
point in the lessons a study of Peters
epistle, as throwing much light on the
condition of the times during the last
years of Paul, and also as being one Of
the earliest books TO tell us about incl
dents in the life of Christ-for it must be
remembered that the gospels, as we have
them now, had not yet been written. But
IL this is the purpose OF the lesson, it
should include more than these eight
verses. The fourth and fifth chapters
would be suitable selection, if the whole
book cannot be studied. 1t is strongly
recommended that teachers ask pupils
beforehand to read this whole book and
try to get from it the main thoughts.
There are perhaps more phrases in this
short book that are familiarly quoted by
all Christians than in any similar passage
in the New Testament except the Sermon
on the Mount.
Ii. however, the lesson is TO be taught
as temperance lesson, small use can be
made OF the text. 1t would be suited only
to class of men who were in actual
danger of falling into the gross sins men
toned. This is net suitable lesson for
children or very young people. There are
several obscure expressions in it, and one
would not care to explain verse three very
fully to most classes. If it is desired to
have a temperance lesson at this time, let
the teacher or the superintendent plan
one, without feeling obliged to use these
verses. 1t is always well to be specific
in such lesson, and definite phase OF
the temperance question now before the
people of given town or State would be
the thing TO take up in the Sunday school.
Next Lesson-"Christ's Humility an
Exaltation. Phil. 2: Ill.