The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-26

missionary movement and the early work
prosecuted in connection with =. Antioch
had the honor of being the place of de-
parture. There, after prayer, three men,
Paul, Barnabas and Mark, went forth,
journeyinE westward. The history may
be found in lessons fve, six and seven.
The countries visited were Cyprus, Pam
phylia, Pisidia and Lycaonia, sections
then cursed by the denominations of the
heather, now 81 bjected to the infamous
rule of the Turk. They preached in Sa-
lamis, Paphos. Perga, Antioch, Iconium,
Derbe, Lystra and other cities. Converts
were made, both of Jews and Gentiles,
and little congregations with a very
simple government were established in
many places. This first missionary tour
accomplished much for the cause of Chris
tianity. 1t spread the area of the Cos
pei, established new centers, achieved vic
tories over error, displayed the spirit of
selt-denlal and heroism, opened the eyes
of Paul to the need of the world, en-
larged his conceptions of the purpose and
plan of Christ, awakened the hope of the
brethren at home.
Disputes is impossible for men
to think alike on any subject. Differences
of opinion are mcst likely to arise among
those who diligently seek for the truth
and earn estly stand ty their convictions.
[ was therefore 10 De expected Inat III
the early years CT the church doctrinal
questions would arise and provoke dis
cussion. Those who had been Jews could
not agree with those who had been Gen
tiles, The more honest men were the
greater their liability TO contention. The
lessons of the quarter present three sub
jects about which there was a dispute.
Lesson three treated the resurrection,
over which Sadducees ana Pharisees had
wrangled, transferring their views to the
Christian church, Lesson eight per-
tained TO the Jewish ceremonial wheth-
er Christians were obligated to keep II,
especially circumcision. Lesson nine set
tied the controverted point of faith and
works, growing out of the divergent views
of the Pauline and Jerusalem schools of
thought when pushed to extreme and
bringing them eventually into happy ac-
cord. A future life an interior life, and
outward expression-these were the three
points established.
SPbAKING.-Lesson ten, 1.-THE Sins OF
the Tongue" referred to a practice into
which the eastern world had generally
fallen, from which James desired to pro-
tect Christians. Our expression for June
6 opened the subject fully. requiring here
only a few words in review. AS already
shown the great purpose of the Gospel
was to promote a right state of heart
TO be made manifest by appropriate liv-
ing. But the pride OF intellect was so
great that many were Indifferent both
to their affections and conduct. Accord
ingly the craze for public speaking had
become wel.-nigh universal, and the at
tempt was common on the part of indi-
viduals to assume the attitude OF teacher
even in Trlvate circles. This they did
even while their speech revealed the de-
pravity of their natures. 1t was a most
praiseworthy undertaking, therefore,
when the apostle sought to convince the
| disciples that they ought to be more anx-
ious for genuine goodness, and to curb
their tongues by purifying their hearts.