The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-12
Sunday School lesson for June l3
PAUL'S ADVICE TO TIr1OTF1Y
By REV. j. e. GILBERT, DID,, LID.
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education

minded of obligation to be made faithful
q Pet. iii, u.
EXHORTING.-The lesson committee
has abruptly broken the apostles line of
thought by emitting all that follows the
seventh verse, and beginning with the 14th
of the following chapter. Fortunately the
disconnected parts, when brought to-
gether, appear like continuous compost
ton. Timothy is urged, not only to dill
gence but to loyalty to the teachings
which had been delivered to him oversees
IA and 15). Paul would save him from any
speculations or digressions and hold him
to the things which he had learned Jude
-. There was in that day danger of false
doctrine contrary to the spirit of Christ,
subversive of the soul (Acts XIV, 3D. Paul
had experience on that point all through
his ministry, and now is anxious that his
young friend should stand fast. AS a spe-
cal incentive he reminds Timothy OF
whom he had received these teachings,
namely his Spiritual Father, and that he
had been from childhood instructed in
Scripture Werse 10. Hence there was no
occasion for turning aside to the tradi-
tions and vagaries of men.
FURNISHTNG.-He who has the Bible
Is fully furnished for the work of the
ministry. This is made evident by sew
eral CONGREGATIONS. lISl, lne OCIlplulSS
were "given by inspiration of God" (verse
16), and, therefore, they are both reliable
and authoritative q Pet. 1, z), what can
not be asserted of any other literature:
second, they are able to make one wise
unto salvation through faith" (verse lS,
giving all the information needed as a
basis for the faith; third, they are profit
able "for doctrine, for reproof, for cor
rection, for instruction." so that the
saved may go on up into the heights Of
excellence; fourth, they cover the whole
range Of thought and action in the Chris
tian life (Rom. XIV, a. so that by them the
Man of God may be perfect (verse ID;
fifth, their outlines of human relations
and duties are so ample that by means
of them a man may be thoroughly pre-
pared for all good works. These facts
concerning the Bible were enough to hold
a young minister to the one only stand
ard OF faith and practice.
CONCLUSION.-Prim this lesson is
for ministers. 1t shows how those who
have preached the Gospel for many years
and are about to pass away turn to those
who are to follow them, anxious that they
should maintain the faith in Its purity and
discharge their duty fully. No true min
| lister can be Indifferent TO the future. His
| work and its fruit will appear after he
| is gone. and, II earnestly desirous to ad-
| vance the cause of Christ, ne must seek
| to perpetuate with successors what he
| has begun. The lesson also has a mes
sage for all Christians. 1t is not enough
for any man to live for the present, meet
| ing it's obligations as they rise. He must
| desire others to- enter into and TO COM
plete his unfinished work QPsalm xc, 10.
In Hike manner. they who are coming into
| places of trust, both ministers and lay
men, do we'll to look reverently 10 their
seniors and inquire after the good old
| way OF righteousness (Jer. w. 16). The
treasures bequeathed by the fathers ought
ever to be priced. And whatever new
thought OF method may be proclaimed to
| the world, OF one thing all may be as
sured, that man will never outgrow the
Bible To hold and teach its truths IL
the highest duty and honor Of each gen
GRAFTON.