The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-05-29
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON
May 30, 1s97-James III, 1923.


The apparent conflict between Paul and James
is no matter of recent discovery. The former
emphasizes faith, the latter works. Luther had
an easy settlement He denied the canonicty of
James. In this the church does not follow him.
This catholic episte bears too indubtaby the
impress of inspiration. We will not unfrock this
first bishop of Jerusalem, this president of the
first Church Council whose impartiality won for
him the title, 'the Just" A reconciliation can
be effected without that. Paul wages no
war against good works. Was any life ever
packed fuller of these than his own? Did any
ever provoke more people to kind deeds than he?
What he strikes at is the idea that our good
works any part of the ground of saliva
ton. The finished work and righteousness of
onlst is the oy ana seelgno groqda N0tnlhg
only at such faith as demons may share with
men. An intellectual conception, eminently cor
rect, but cold and bald. An orthodoxy in which
there is no mixture OF love-no movement of the
will conform the life to the truth perceived
If such faith were saving, all the devils in
hell would be emanciDated-fOr they have it,
But saving faith is more than intellectual assent
to a dogma 1t is AN atfectionate and trustful
turning to a Person. 1t is the confession of need
ana repose IN the suthclency OF CHRIST 70 sup
ply that need. 1t dlsaHoWs other helpers on the
golden hook of the Atonement it hangs its des-
tiny with full assurance such faith
alone saves: But it Will never be alone. When
the locomotive moves, the car that is coupled to
it moves also. Faith is the locomotive: works
the car. Works are the means of eVidencing to
that which they could not otherwise per-
ceive. But is justified by faith before
he has done a single deed of righteousness. To
cite James's examples: Abraham and Rahab were
both accepted of God-the one before he offered
his SON. the other before she put the crimson
cord in her window. Only by these signs we
know that already theirs was the victory Of
MOSAIC FROM COMMENTARIES
Naked or destitute: Christians in Turkey are
hiding in tie fields because their dwellings are
burned, and the fear of death hangs darkly over
their starved and naked bodies; and other Chris
tiGns hearing OF it they plan some fresh
indulgence for their pleasure, say: TOO bad
But trust, be patient, and may God who cares
for the ravens, send you food and raimentr
Faith without works is dead: By dead faith
James means a faith which because it has no
influence mans actions, is incapable to
justify him as dead carcass is to perform the
offices of the living man.-Benson
Show faith without works. Show me thy faith
by thy works 1t is the only way thou canst
show it; but as thou hast no works to produce
thou never canst show thy faith.-Mil.
Show my faith by works: 1t is cheap religion
to say, We believe in the articles of faith but
il is a great deusion to imagine that it is enough
to bring US to heaven.-Henry.
Belevest one God, doest well: So far, good !!
But it helps very little for salvation, as the next
sentence shows,-Whedon.
Devils believe: To rehearse this article Of
faith will not distinguish us from devils at last
unless we now give up ourselves to God and
love Him.-Henry;
them but certify to them their own misery.
THE TEACHERS CULVER.
l. James was one of the Lords brothers. who
did not believe on Him during his life. 1t is
uraccountable, but true. He stood off from Him.
Was not only lacking in sympathy, but criticised
Him. The resurrection of Christ convinced His
brother of His Messiahship. What defender OF
the faith this longtime doubter becamei There
is encouragement in the incident
?. The Epistle of James is now believed to be
n enid nor have beer written to controvert the
epistles of Paul. because it was written before
they were written. AS Arnot says, Paul and
James stand not face to face fighting each other,
but back TO back fighting opposite foes
g. Some of the gems of the epstle fol-
lows Nature and use CT trial ii, 2, 3, -; Bounty
of Providence q, ID; Religion defined Il, 20;
Directions to Church ushers iii, p; Governing the
tongue dii, p; Uncertainty of life Gv Is, 1D
Reward of the soul-winner ", 10, 20)
L. 1t Is a mercy salvation is of faith alone.
Boasting is excluded, and pride hidden.
j. Works is the sphere of the variable. As
surance fuctuates with our doing. more or less.
Here TO soul rest. Faith brings one into a
fundamental relationship TO Christ-His finished
crk. Here is adau.antine foundation