Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1897-09-07

Time and Place.-The Epistle to the Ro-
mans was probably sent in the early
spring of A. ID. IS, the fourth year OF
Neros reign, from Corinth.
The Letter.-See note on The Epistle to
the Romans, pages PA. 2l5. 1t contains
an introduction Il. 1-15), a doctrinal argu-
ment under two topics the salvation O.
Jews and Genties through faith IN CHRIST
u. 10 to s. 39, and the rejection OF the
Jewish nation chapters 9-lD; a practicai
exhortation az / to 10. 49,; and conclu-
sion. consisting of personal greetings
which would strengthen the links bindihg
mat apostle to his brethren In that lmpe-
RAJ city which he had not yet seen.
Connecting Links.-After spending SIX
months in Macedonia, Paul had come at
length to Corinth. With him came limo
thy, Tychicus, Gaius. Jason, Aristarchus.
Secundus Sopater. and others VINO nad
charge of the money contributed Tor the
christians in Jerusalem. With great JOY
faui must have met again ms oear
friends, Titus, Luke, and the Corlntniah
Christians. The fact that 1t was winter
prevented his setting sail for Palestine.
80 FOR three months he sojourned IN Cor
NTH. During this time he wrote the Epis-
tie to the Galatians and that from which
our lesson is taken.
Lesson Hymn
. for lowly, contrite heart,
Believing, true and clean,
Which neither life nor death can part,
From him that dwells within!
A heart in every thought renewed,
And full of love divine
Perfect, and right, and pure, and good.
copy, Lord, of thine.
Thy nature gracious Lord, impart;
Come quickly from above;
Write thy new name upon my heart,
Thy new, best name of Love.
Charles Wesley.
We find In these verses six laws OF
Christian character
l. The law of thoroughness. Verse 3.
The Christian should be sincere, pro-
nounced, decided. He should never pre-
tend to love which he does not possess:
he should be 'out-and-out" for Christ and
against sin. In his associations. in his
enjoyments. in his example, he will al
ways be found strongly on the side OF
Christ and Christianity. He will keep as
far as possible from the evil and will
cleave as closely as possible to the good.
III. The law of fraternity. Verse ID.
Men who wear the same badge of a col
lege society, or a secret order, feel a pc
culiar interest in each other. The Chris
tian belongs TO the greatest brotherhood
on the earth. the Church of Christ. He
will love all who love Christ. He will
help them: will regard them as his
friends; and will count it a privilege to
be of service to them.
III. The law of fidelity. Verses IL. IL.
The Christian, though not of the world,
lives in the world, and has his own secu-
lar as well spiritual work to do. Let
him be faithful in all his house, at once
diligent in business and fervent in spirit:
serving the Lord while earnest in his
vocation. Said one, "A man ought to
make better pair of shoes because he
has given his heart TO Christ" ~ The
law of sympathy. Verses 1915. He
should have heart and hand open to the
needy a house open to guests in the
Lord, a prayer for those who prosecute
him, and tear to drop with those who
weep. V. The law of humility. Verse IL.
The world honors the proud, sef-seeking
ambitious. Christ honors those who are
lowly. The mighty may conquer the
earth, but il is the meek who inherit it.
1t is better to underrate than to overrate
ourselves. VI. The law of kindness.
Verses 17-21 There are two ways to con-
Quer an enemy-one way by war. the
other and the better by love. An angel
was once sent to destroy an iceberg He
set thousand men at work with pick
axes and shovels, but made no impression
on the mountain. He babe the north wind
bl-w upon Ii, but 1t was in vain. Finally
he called upon the sun to shine upon it
and the warm Gulf stream to surround
it, and 10, soon the iceberg melted away
The verses in next Sundays lesson,
(Acts 20-22-35) are as follows:
%. And now behold, go bound in the
spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the
things that shall befall me there:
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth
in every city, saying that bonds and at,
flictionS abide me.
"a. But none of these things move me.
neither count l my life dear unto myself.
so that l might finish my course with
JOY and the ministry. which l have re-
ceived of the Lord Jesus. TO testify the
gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now behold, / know that We all.
among whom L have gone preaching the
kingdom or GOD, shall see my face no
more.
20. Wherefore l take you TO record this
day. that L am pure from the blood OF
all men.
q. For 1 have not Stunned to declare
unto you all the counsel of God
49, Take heed therefore unto yourselves
and to all the flock, over which the Holy
Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed
the church of God, which he hath pur-
chased with his own blood.
29. For / know this. that after my de-
parting shall grievous wolves enter i'm
among you. not sparing the flock.
80. Also of your own selves shall men
arise speaking perverse things, to draw
away disciples after them.
81. Therefore watch, and remember that
by the space of three years L ceased not
to warn every one night and day with
tears.
80. And now, brethren, 1 commend you
to God, and TO the word of his grace.
which is able to build you up, and to give
you an inheritance among all them which
are sanctitied.
SO. l have coveted no mans silver, or
gold or apparel.
81. Yea. ye yourselves know, that these
hands have ministered unto my necessi-
ties ana TO them that We're with me.
50. l have showed you all things, how
that SO laooring We ought to support the
weak, and