The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-07
HEL,P.
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
Aug. s, 1871 ThesS. iv, o; v, z.


Paul's stay in Thessalonica was brief. He left
behind him the nucleus of a church whose MEM
bers had only the rudiments of religion. He
ardently desired to know how they Jared. Tim
othy brought him the tidings at Corinth. The
state of the church was remarkably good. But
there were some misapprehensions. to correct
which Paul wrote the first letter ever addressed
to a church by his hand, or that of any other
apostle. = . = In a refined and delicate manner
he compliments their work Of faith, labor of love,
and patience of hope. Thus having put the velvet
glove on the hand of steel, he throttled the in
cipient heresy.. = = . The scenic doctrine of the
second coming had been magnihed out of all pro-
portion by these enthusiastic but ill-instructed
converts. Believing the appearing near, they
stopped work and talked excessively. To such
Paul says authoritatively, Study to be quiet
do your business" Work with your hands,
This course he afirms to be Indispensable to
honesty and independence. q " . But upon a
doctrinal matter so important he will not leave
them uninstructed. They must not mourn their
recently deceased friends with that extravaganza
and hopelessness which characterized their heath
en- neighbors. Jesus is the head of the body made
Of His disciples. What happened to the head
shall happen to the whole body and each member
in Him. Further, in the last day those who
o over the e dead. ~ The sHH dead / shall be- r pisedoet the
quick shall be changed, and simultaneously. all
shall ascend to meet the Lord in the air. This
Union between Christ and believers is indissol-
uDlS. COInIOIlaDlS MOfQS surely. y But the
exact time Of 'the appearing is as indeinable
as the time when the thief will come. A general
the thing desirable. Anything more minute mir . ehsn
this is impracticable
MOSAIC FRoM COMMENTARIES.
Brotherly love: Words infinitely new to them.
There is nothing even remotely resembling it in
the vast field of pagan Northumberland
Love one another: Love thy n~eighbor as thy
self does not contemplate merely doing our
neighbor ; I'd in consequence of our inward af-
lection for him, but it looks to our acquiring the
affection by doing him good.-Kant.
Increase more: The more active love is, the
more it seeks its task to enlarge: for, inventive
as it is. it is ever discovering new objects for it's
activity.-Godet
quiet. Though in general the church at Thes-
s "a was pure and exemplary, yet there seems
them, who, under the pretense Of religion. gadded
were hurdensome TO others; and were continually
meddling with other PEOPLES business, and pro-
Others which have no hope: Having, been in
immoderate sorrow, and perhaps that they hired
pourners on such occasions, and were even apt
to repine at the divine Providence for taking their
pious friends, and relatives from them. ne here
proceeds to give them information well calculated
to support and comfort them in such circum-
ev e1Rf0 the snsted an9 81 Your {4edIent these mea,tg grsnd
ard when your hearts are distressed with grief
other occasion which can arise in this mortal life.
9 Word PV Gf the L Shesf MSTaS which rest on the
II TEACHERS QUTVER.
1 The Bible is a wade mecum: a splendid.
practical handbook. 1t epitomizes all duties.
Shows at a glance what one should be in BUSH
ness, family, society and state.
?. The Bible shows the middle way between the
braggadocio Of atheism and the hysterical fear
of nature as each faces the hour and article of
death. II brings life and immortality to light;
assuages grief, dispels fear. kindles hope, gives
victory.
3. The Bible is the only book which salts
taCtorliF unloi1s the future. 1t is the Word OF
the Lord, a message from the Lord of life. II is
authoritative, not exhaustive. SO that curiosity
is satisfied in every perticular, but sufficient to
accomplish the end desired.
4. The lnadeQuacy OF reason TO cope with the
mystery and sorrow Of death is evident. Cicero
hoped TO live hereafter. but feared total ex-
tinction," Socrates closes his argument with the
words, yet l would not absolutely affirm this. -
The Bible does. We know that If the earthly
Cod
3. As Paul's intent in this argument is to
comfort mourning relatives. the inference is that
there shall bn a mutual recognition of the saints
at Christs aning. If he did not intend this
inference to he drawn, he would have guarded
against It. The recognition OF friends in heaven
Is the natural inference.