The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-03-19
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
international i.esson for March FL. 1897
Christian self ksstrsiss = Corinthiano
o:l0-21.


GOLDEN TExT.-Every man that striv
eth for the mastery Is temperate in al
things.-I. Cor. 9:25.
PLAcE.-The epistle was written from
Ephesus Il Cor lC:0
TlME.-Early In A. d. 81. Toward tn,
close or Pauls three years stay In Ephesus
Paul intended to leave Ephesus aSou,
fentacost that year May 2s Il. Cor 80
20 that the epistle was written earlier than
that date. Levin thinks from the allusior
IN J. Corinthians 81 that II was writ
Ten ut the time OF the Passover. which that
year occurred April 7.
EXPLANATORY
The Prize and the Crown.--Vs "a. rs,
The prize was the reward offered to tho
winners in the athletic contests in the
Grecian games. The crown was the
outward symbol and recognition OF the
merit and superiority by which the
prize was won. The crowns of the
Grecian games were of olive or pine
leaves. but even the gold and jeweled
crowns of kings and queens are chiefly
symbols of the kingdom. and of fitness
to reign over il.
The prize and crown are to he gained:
i. BY sympathy and Service for All
Men.-Vs. 1923. 10. Yet have | made
myself servant unto all:" Undergoing
all manner oftoils and privation for their
sake. Though he might have been free
from these burdens. and have lived in
ease and wealth. yet he underwent great
sufferings that ! might gain the more
souls for the kingdom of Christ. See
the list in 2 Corinthians I1:23-27.
20. Unto the Jews | became as a
jew" Submitting to the restrictions
of their ceremonial law, and TO their
customs SO far as not wrong. not be-
cause he liked them. or believed them
necessary. but in order to 'gain the
Jews:" See examples in Acts 1873.
ISIS; 21:23. Under the law" All
those who laid great stress on the cere-
monial law and the formal keeping
of commandments.
%. TO the weak" Saints who had
not understood their freedom, nor real
lied their privileges. who were mar
row in mind. and imperfect in con-
science. Became l as weak" ] gave
up my rights and privileges, so as not
10 be an oifense to them. and hinder nv
influence. "All things to all mem"
~-~'' - ny tHt NOTu
To do anything wrong does not save
men from sin. it leads them into sin.
ii. BY Intense Earnestness-Vs. "a.
20. Paul now illustrates his words by
means of the great Grecian games.
"a. Kun all, but one receiveth the
prize" In these games. But in the
Christian race and contest all may win,
Int ~
gave the prize to the one winner in these
athletic contests.
20. Il therefore so run (the Christian
race) not as uncertainty" Not with
out seeing the goal. and, consequently,
the course to be run" not lin the dark"
"deviating to the right or left" as il
uncertain where / am going. or what
for.
III. BY Self-Control.-Vs. 25. 81. 25.
Every man that striveth for the mas
terry Is temperate in all things:" Tenn
perate, self-controllcd. This refers not
to the actual race. but to the ten
months preparation. Indeed this prep
aration was in some sense q part of the
for upon it very much de-
pended success or failure. During these
ten months, the athlete not only suo-
nitted to the prescribed limitations OF
food. drink. and the entire mode Of life.
but, without asking whether it was
specially enjoined, did whatever would
strengthen him for the decisive day and
thus increase bis chance of victory, and
avoided whatever would weaken him.
They do it to obtain a corruptible:"
crown of olive or pine leaves, or rather
or the glory and honor which they
ieniied, and the development Of the
BODY. which among the Greeks thus he-
anne the perfection of strength and
beauty. Yet all this persisted with tho
'ody, and great as the prize was. it was
Iofhing To the incorruptible and eter-
al rewards Of the spiritual victories
4 character, usefulness. Heaven and
'od. II they can do so much for their
rize. how much more we for ours.
p. Il keep under my body" The
ord means To strike under the eyes.
Whenever the body rose up in rebellion
gainst his spiritual interests, his Cos
ell work. and thus WAS his enemy in
lead OF servant, he put il down with
he most damaging blow boxer could
i've his antagonist. And bring il into
nbjection:" The word means to lead
) captive taken in war. He never
asted from the warfare till the body.
it'll all its lusts, and desires, and APP
ttites. and longings. became his sub
issive servant. Then every power and
ppetite became a blessing.
TEMPERANCE APPLICATIONS
To Ike truly temperate and self-con-
oiled Is both a very noble and a very
fficult thing. ''IIe that ruleth his
'irit is greater than he that taketh .
ty."
One reason why this is so Is that il
axes every mans body, and natural
'wers, and impulses, training school
r his soul. 1t gives him field Of bat
; which is training field for heroism,
r moral culture. for skill. and will. and
cry nobler faculty of the soul.
Strong drink. even in moderate guam
les. Injuries the will power OF self
ntrOl. IL tends In mako fh.s hfsiv the