The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-11-27
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON
Nov. %, 1871 Peter iv, Is.

Perhaps no paragraph of the New Testament
sets out in sharper contrast the Christian ideal
of life against the heather ideal than this. The
will of God is put in antthesis to, the will of the
Gentiles. And the God whom Christians adored
was at an infinite remove from even the best of
heather divinities. Holy himself he could not
look upon sin with the least degree of allowance.
Those who would have fellowship with God. who
is light and in whom is no darkness must them
selves walk in the light. He who worships this
God who is Love. must himself be characterized
by an unceasing love for others. He must in his
finite sphere initiate God who has provided
covering for sin in the atonement. He. too, must
be disposed to cover others ofenses with charity.
All this was in diametrical opposition to
the will of the Gentiles." They thought it
strange 1t was brand-new ideal of life.
incomprehensible novelty. The nameless practices
of idolism, the gluttonous fondness for the table,
the carousals upon the street, the debauchng
drinking bouts, unclean excesses-these the
repulsive characteristics of current heather life.
The introduction of the Christian life into
pagan society was of the nature of moral
revolution. It's consequences surpass in i'm
portance the effects of the battles and dplomacies
of antiquity But these results could be conserved
only by maintaining the Christian life in it's best
type, and perpetuating it. The odds against this
were considerable. Old habits recently renowned
were liable to reassert themselves. The ridicule
and criticism of the Gentiles would be
less keenly felt The subtle power of environ
ment might mig also impercegtby honeyG9mb the
the apostle to utter his strong exhortaton Be
cSrs T nd d the TO viii tie of o of kindly 4dn
they are reminded that If the Gentiles ever had
any claim upon them they have more than alb
solved themselves from that claim in the portion
OF their lives already given to sim Finally, the
to sobriety, watchfulness and prayerfulness
MOSAIC FROM COMMENTARIES.
Arm yourselves With a resolution such
animated him to suffer all the evils to which you
may be exposed in the body, and particularly to
suffer death. if called by God to do so for your
religion. Fer this will be armor- proof against all
your enemies.-Benson.
Suffered-ceased: Patience in suffering and
avoidance of sin are in direct relation to each
other.-Anon.
Time past suffice: Gentle way of saying they
Think it strange: It is strange to carnal man
to zee the child of God disdain the pleasures OF
that the Christian is called to.-Leighton.
.. Give account: The great court-day shall call
of the godly.-Butler
Them that are dead Past generations Live
God lives divine, as contrasted with according
live in the ta esh es F. fnaf Is HE Su'n as me"
End at hand: In few years after Peter wrote
Romans TO this destruction Wien was literally
then tn n at hand the apostle may allude: The end
the end Of the whole Jewish economy was at
Watch: Not intoxicated with worldly pleasures.
Temperance promotes wakefulness. Drink makes
drowsy, and drowsness prevents prayer. f. Il.
Unto prayer: Be We discreet and sober, that We
may be apt to prayers.-Tyndale.
Fervent charity: loving disposition leads us
Cover sins: AS God with His love covers my
sins, so must l cover the sins of my neghbor.
Luther.
THE TEACHERS CULVER.
l. Paul holds a mirror before the heather world,
in the first chapter of his episte to the Romans.
The reflection is revolving, but undeniably true.
2 Paul's picture be matched by made
up by quotations from the heather classics
g. The unchaste spirit and life of the old heather
world is further proven by the ruins exhumed at
Pompe and elsewhere Sensuality frescoed itself
upon the walls, and limned itself in marble and
bronze, not as in modern times for the palace of
sin, but for the home and the temple
4. Lasciviousness, lusts. excess of wine. revel-
ngs banquetings and abominable idolatries are
the counts in the indictment of much-vaunted
old world civilization.
8. l shown the vomitorium adjoining the
banquet hall in Neros palace. Here slave
would tickle the throat of the guest until, having
disgorged himself, he could return to the pleas
of the table.
G. Against such denominations Christians
to enter that most effective of protests, chaste
and self-denying life.
Z. The expression, They think it strange that
We run not with Them, suggests the current and
analogies which present themselves in some
mission fields to-day.
8. The paragraph closes with exhortaton to
conserve the Christian character, and especially
sake of, the desperately unfavorable social en-
VirOnmeut