The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-09-18
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON


The Bible abounes in pathetic scenes. Next to
tee Lord last supper stands Paurs farewell to
the elders. We have seen Paul among enemies,
h.re he is among friends. Have heard him thun-
der against blind Judaism or gross paganism, but
here it is if the teart strings muffied, and
we catch only the softest notes of what las been
called the most perfect and touching address ever
uttered Any one of that day, observing
the scene, would have said this opuent city
with quadruple harbor and forest of masts, rep
tresents the permanent. That little company OF
obscure and travel-stained strangers. exchanging
their farewells, stand for the evanescent. How
erroneous The reverse is the case. The city is
gone. Its harbOrs are filled up; face of nature
changed, coast-line altered. All that saves
Metus from oblivin is that there Paul said good
bye TO his converts. The seine is not
erely pathetic. 1t is highly significant. 1t is the
golden period to the last missionary journey of
Paul No wonder he INDUCES in a retrospect.
Twenty years. packed with industry and char
acterized with sufferings unsurpassed A look
forward is the natural sequence to a retrospect.
The apostle wishes to conserve the fruits of his
toll What shall be the fate of his churches? He
sees the antagonisms, the heresies, and ravening
wolves. He pours out his soul in an appeal to
the elders Take heedl' ''Watchr' ''Remem-
ber!' lie plies every motive. DO they love him {?
DO they recognize the spirit of his ministry, his
lowly -mindedness, tenderness and patience; his
diligence to declare the whole counsel of God
publicly and from house to house; and his abso-
lutte disinterestedness? They will never see his
protecting the churches which he has founded
And in this arduous responsibility, following the
vocation of the Holy Spirit, and ministering for
a church founded in the Redeemer's blood God
and grace sources of safety and success. Spite
of wolves heretics world, flesh and devil God
is able TO build up and TO the finally persistent
give portion among the sanctitied Israel already
arrived in the heavenly Canaan Yet
toll for Others keeping in mind the golden sayings
of Jesus here snatched from oblivion, and which
the material gains of the recipient.
MOSAIC FROM COMMENTARIES.
go bound Constrained by an invincibe sense
of duty.-Vincent.
Not knowing: Faith does not desire to know all
things but obeys God as with blindfolded eyes
-Starke.
Holy ghost witnesseth: A prophet of Affections
but also comforter in affictions.-Quesnel.
None move me: Children of God look not so
much to danger TO duty: children of the world
adopt opposite course.-Quesnel.
Finish my course: Signifies race lifelong; must
not faint in middle. whatever suffering may be
Pure from blood; In many cases conviction de
err This is the conception that leaps into the
apostles mind7-Arnot.
God hath made you; No valid ministry is ex-
clusively municipalities
Church OF God: Modern notion of clearly
defined organization must not be understood;
rather a voluntary assembly of those who were
1nS eod IN te tafb toward Christ Where two or
three are assembled there is a church: he who
bv endowment or requirement is fitted to feed
is an oVerseer.-HOrswell.
OF YOUR own selves: In New Testament no
fewer han six of the pioneers of these fatal
teachers OF error are mentioned as belonging TO
Ephesus.-Schan
Speaking perverse things: Asia Minor was full
of self-stylec philosophers, some OF whom be-
came Christians. ard originated grave errors in
Notwithstanding.
Grace of Cod: Millions of moral discourses can
rot accomplish in thousand years that which
this despised word "Cir3ce--the gospel, accom-
plishes when received in faith.-Lange.
THE TEACHERS CULVER.
1. An ideal of the Christian ministry is here
irradated. (a) 1t is received of the Lord Do It's
chief concern is to testify of Gods favor in
Christ (o) 1t must be disnterested; cd Industri-
Gus; (e) Watchful.
?. The character and constitution of the church
also is outlined. (al 1t is composed of those who
are redeemed by the blood Of Jesus (b) 1t is ex-
posed to heresy and schism; (c) The word OF
-rs3te. the gospel. preached and believed is the
means of its upbuilding I'D II is TO he character
lied by philanthropy; its motto tina OF the
Founder himself Not to be ministered unto but
10 minister."