The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-06-19
Sunday School lesson for June 20.
Personal, RESPONSIBILITY LITY.
BY REV. j. e. GILBERT, DID,. LID.
Secretary of the American Society of Religious Education

INTRODUCTION. - After extensive
travels and labors In Asia Minor, Mace
donia and Greece, Paul greatly desired
10 exercise his ministry in Rome. The
Gospel had been carried there. by whom
ts not known but the apostle to the Gen
tiles felt drawn to the brethren of the I'm
perial City that he might find comfort
and confirm them IN the faith. (Rom, 1,
p-1g. To prepare for his coming he wrote
the book from which our lesson is taken
today the sixth Of his epistle. The great
theme here treated is, justification by
faith, which he handles in a calmer and
more extended manner than he had done
in the letter to the Galatians written the
previous year In applying that theme
he refers in th1 last six chapters to all the
matters which at that time might cause
diversity or opinion among people who had
been. gathered from all parts OF the civ
ilized globe. Out of the Heterogeneous
multitude it was no easy task to make
one congregation, loyal to their conVic-
tions and to Christ, harmonious among
themselves. and so prepared for a mis-
sion OF great usefulness in Europe.
QUEST ON.-By reading from the be-
ginning or our chapter 1t Will appear that
the Jewish converts were not IN full ac-
cord with Gentle converts. The chief
matter in dispute oversees and % was
that upon which several years previously
the Jerusalem church had made a deliv-
erance. (Acts XIV, 29). What then was a
mere advice had been elevated into a
doctrine. Along with the question of meat
was that of a day-whether the seventh
day or the first, the Jewish or the Chris
tan sabbath (veTse 81, should be observed.
The disputations on these subjects had
led to some personal encounters. Our les
soh opens (yerse l0 with the question,
why dOst thou judge thy brother?'
You may not agree with him in his views
on these coatroYerted points, but how
dare you presume, because of differences,
10 Sc him at naught? He is your broth
err In the church, entitled TO his opinions
as mach as YOU The Roman Christians
had not learned that freedom of thought
Is the privilege and the duty of every fol-
lower OF Christ (verse 81. Paurs ques-
tion was protest against narTowness,
bigotry end intolerance.
ACCOUNTABILITY. - Every require
meEt and teaching Of Scripture rests
upon scme fundamental fact, generally
made known. 1t was the purpose of the
apostles. and OF the prophets before them,
10 persuade men TO conform their lives
20 a Divinely established order. SO tine
question here raised derived Its force
from a truth Immediately announced
Oversees 1O-lS), namely. that OF person
ally accountability to God. All shall
"stand before the judgment seat" ''ey-
cry knee shall bow" every tongue shall
confess" These assertions OF the apostle
arc mot made as II they contained new
ami startling disclosures of the future.
The ihteRtion was not 90 convey infor-
nation. Everybody. at least Jews and
Christians. believed In a general judg-
msnt. The doctrine was deeply imbedded
in oic Testament literature psalm tx,
y, and In human nature. (tccl. III. 10. 1t
Is hero stated only to show tho folly OF
human judgment Why should a man un-
dertake the preroga.tYe OF Gcd? Man.
80 short-sighted and falAble, Fastening
on to give account of himself TO the Su-
rTeme Ruler. may well refrain from pro-