The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-04
THE. SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON
Sept. ., 1s97-n Cor. tx, Ill.

If any magines the church collection a
raodern expedient let him turn to this appeal of
ST. Paul. How true-'from her cradle the church
of Christ has faced the contribution box" 1t
vas even so under the old dispensation Moses
said Take We among you Offering unto the
Lord" This was in view of making the taber-
ne Gle. Later when David proposed the temple he
cried. "Ivho. then, is willing to fill his hand this
day unto the Lord?' Evidently this is
Gods way with His people. 1t is fixed rule,
fundamental principle of the kingdom The in
dependent Jehovah makes himself dependent. The
proprietor Of all things to
His people in the garb and language
of a suppliant. He asks an Offering
But it is for their sakes He makes himself poor
The advantage is theirs not His 1t is Gods
way of killing vice and creating q virtue. The
vice is covetousness the virtue benevolence.
In this particular instance the gift re-
duested was for the relief of the poverty-stricken
Christians in Jerusalem. Times were very evil
there. Values were deprecated work scarce.
Social conditions We're unstable, revolution in the
siege and ruin. All suffered, but the Christians
est on account of what was esteemed their I'M
command with which to quit the city They must
be helped in their dire extremity. The case was
imperative. The generous heart of Paul
eares He Stands forth as the IDEAL coector
/ is methods, his appeals the motives employed
principles of Christian benevolence are here ir
ldulaIeG IN an Instructive ana fascinating man
MOSAIC FROM COMMENTARIES.
Boast of you: Made use to stmulate.-Barnes.
Your zeal hath provoked: Ardor Of Corinthians
would inspire others.-Banes.
Ye may be ready. Sharp exhortation combined
with tacit praise.-Anon.
They of Macedonia: Paul was attended from
city to city by travelling companions. AS he was
now in Macedonia il was in accordance with the
usual custom that Macedonians should attend
m fo -
We that we say NOT yel: Observe the delicacy
makes il a matter of personal anxiefv as If the
shame and fault OF nonpayment would be his.
Not Of covetousness: Not as a sort of extortion
wTung from you by mere dint OF Importantly
Not grudgingly: AS if sorry to share his money
A cheerful giver: The word is hilarion. There
is no MISLEADING its import. God loves a whole
souled, hilarious giVeI.-iates.
Able to make grace abound: Make your wealth
oN erfiow, so that having sutficency for your
selves YOU may overflow in good deeds to others.
this may be said at once to place you by Ills
side. and to exalt you into real. though humble
imtator of the divine benevolence.- Harris
Abound TO every good work: What wait for
to he n Do inc Of c h ds IS the
morning of a new creation-Bushnell.
wants Of the sower and consumer in the natural
Enriched in teverytRine Context points to tenn
pcral abundance, but thought of spiritual riches
was not absent.-Ellcott.
THE TEACHERS CULVER.
l. Paul uses consummate skill in his appeal.
He employs variety of motives, all worthy;
hut some Of high degree, and others of lower; so
ttat Christians Of various degrees of development
may each be touched by an appeal suited to them.
2 Thus in this instance a worthy pride and
spirit of emulation appealed to. Also the
hope of reward. But the highest motive is used
in addition. Benevoence is pictured as an act
performed toward God Consequently the spirit
IN which i is done is the important part of it. 1t
must be cheerful. ii must not be a matter of inn
Pulse but one pondered il the heart Faith in
God can be shown by its bountifulness Niggard-
liness is ruled out.
g. Aside from philanthropy Paul evidently hoped
this contribution would help heal the breach he
tween Jewish and Gentle Christians. Ii was a
Coed of generosity on the part OF the latter tow
ard the former.
| l. Paul followed his own advice. Provide
things honest in the sight of all men, He assoc
ciated with himself certain irreproachable men
offering To Jerusalem and make the final dis
| bursement
Sunrise Never Failed Us Yet.
Upoa the sadness of the sea
The sunset hrcods regretfuly:
Erom the lar, lonely spaces. slow
Withdraws the wistful afIerglow.
So out Of life the splendor dies:
So aarken all The happy skies
But overhead the planets burn;
And up the east another day
Shall chase the bitter dark away
W hat tho eyes with tears are wet!
The sunrise never failed US yet.
The blush Of dawn may yet restore
our light and hope and Joy more:
sad soul take comfort nor forget
That sunrise never failed us vet
Celia Thaxter.