The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1897-05-26

international Lesson for May 30. 1907
-Christian Faith Leads 10 Good
WOrkS-James 2:l1-23
ARRANGED from Peloubet

faith by my WORKSHOPS. 2:1S.
THE SECTION.-The first two chapters
OF st. James should be read together with
TIA passages referred to under Light from
Otner Scriptures.
TIME of writing unknown, but either
between A. II. 40 and ~. or So and 63.
PLACE.-It was Written at Jerusalem,
where James lived and was at the head or
the church.
LESSON NOTES.
The Epistlc of James. The Author,
James the Brother of Our Lord. Hewas
not james the brother of John, and
son of Zebedee, who was martyred "A. ID.
"A, nor james the son of Alpheus, called
James the Less, or Junior. Whether
he was the son of Mary and the real
half brother of Jesus, or only seeming
half brother, the son of Joseph and not
of Mary, or u cousin, adopted into the
family, is a matter of much dispute.
He was not n believer in Jesus during
his ministry John 1850, but probably
his half-persuaded wavering faith was
fixed by the crucifiXion and resurrec-
ton of Christ, for we find him imme-
diately after numbered with the dis
ciples (Acts 1919. He became presi-
dent of the church at Jerusalem (Acts
12:17, 1913; 21:1S), and was person of
great influence and distinction in the
church. He was called James the Just,
was ascetic in his habits, strong OBJ
server of the law, both moral and cere-
monial; indifferent TO the luXuries and
comforts of life, honoring the poor more
than the rich. visiting the fatherless
and the widow, accompanying the
elders of the church when they anoint-
ed the sick with oil in the hope of their
recovery, slow to judge, calming by his
sanity meekness the angry passions of
contending parties, adopting the policy
Of nonresistance in times of persecu-
ton.
It's Theme is The Perfect Man, in the
perfection of the Christian life, the
doer of the perfect law.
To Whom Written. This is one of the,
Catholic (UniversaD or General Epis-
ties, written TO no particular church,
but to the Jewish Christians every
where.
l. Faith Without Works Is Dead
VS.. 14-17. IA. what doth it profit?'
What is the use, what does it amount to-.
especially for salvation, and as proof
of being Christian? Though mani
say he hath faith" Say" is en-
phatic. The man has something which
he thinks is faith, it looks like faith,
as statue, or picture, or a dead body
looks like man. 1t is kind Of faith
(v. 49,. And have not works." The,
works which belong to faith, which are
the natural expression of faith in Jesus;
the fruits of the Spirit. Can faith"
II. ", that faith" that kind of faith,
save him." Is. IF brother" etc:
There was actual feeling for the hungry
and naked brother disciple real wish
that their wants might he supplied, but
it was weak, superficial emotion that
expressed itself only in good wishes,
and did nothing for them. There was
no real love, no true generosity. What
good did such feelings do? In like man.
ner, faith that is superficial, that is q
mere belief of creed or theory. so that
''it hath not works." the fruits that
ought TO come from faith, lis dead, be-
ing alone" Or. w., is dead itself.
II. Faith Proved by It's Works.-Vs.I
1920. IS. Yea, man may say" Any
man of common sense and piety. "Shew
me thy faith without" apart from,
"thy works." As one would attempt
to prove that he has the power of
speech without speaking. "And 1 will
shew thee my faith by my worl<s:"
BY the fruits which are the natural
outcome Of the faith.
10. Thou belicvest that there is one
Cod" Very well, that is good; but Of
what kind is your faith? THE devils:"
Demons. as the Greek and rs the word
should be translated The term for
''The devil" is always a different word.
also believer" They, too. know that
there is a God, but it produces no good
works in them. 1t makes them "trem-
bic" shudder with fear, without maxi
ing them any better
90. But such faith is of no use. Faith
without works is dead" The Il. W,
using n better text, says it is barren,
idle. useless.
III. The Harmonious Action of Faith
and Worlls.-Vs. 21-23. 81. "Was Not
Abraham iustifed?" Made
righteous, accounted righteous, and
ceived into the family Of God as a friend
and disciple. 'by worl1s?" That is be-
cause he did that which faith required
of him. in being willing, if God re-
quired it. to offer up his son Isaac. even-
though he could not understand how,
the promise could be fulfilled if he did.
%. "How faith wrought with his
works." as their source. "By works
was faith made perfect" Here the
terse is changed to that which denotes
completion in u single act.
90. THE Scripture was fulfilled:"
(Gen. 1860 Imputed for
righteousness" Reclsoned. counted 70
him. Faith was counted to Abraham
for Righteousness before the faith was
tested. because it was that kind of
faith which would produce righteous
ness whenever the opportunity pre-
scented itself. The true, obedient. tr7lst-
ing spirit was the main thing. for Il was
certain TO produce corresponding ac-
ton. ''He was called the friend of
Sod" Because he trusted in God so