The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-06-10
THE SUNDAY-SCH00h.
International Lesson Appointed
for June 20, 1897.
Subject: Definition Of tie Kingdom of Hea'
ven. Ro., II: 1871.

H
lations of mankind as to the mutual ob!iSa-
tiOns OF society etc, are Of eternal force, and
can never be modified, compromised. iessened
in force, explained away, removed for sncssi'
tutes. zEsSi &az &
4 40 ether important fact to Be considered IS
that mankind is composed Of individuals, ana
cannot always be moved in mass. The rights
OF euch and eyery member must be respected.
Asa result, mo one person acts for himself aie"e
but as a member Of community. He must not,
there fnrss coisider Dniy individual preference
but mutuaDvights.S
"a man who wonld act in given case so and
60, il wholly independent actor, is obliged 30
modify his course Of procedure when he nnas
that every ono OF his acts does not end on him
SELF but is reisteA to tho entire community.
Nc man has the right to forget he is member
Of society--is, ina certain bnt true sense,
owned By society. =
2 f,lf2S DATA OF THE LESSON.
Data.7-Ro. II: 12 81.
Isn,e-We may date the writing OF the Epis-
tie to The Romans. A. d. So. 1t was in the
Spring 81 flat year, and corresponded with the
FIRST part OF the fourth year OF the reign Of
Nero a. Emperor of Rome.
Where-The Episile was written at Corinth
aud sent to Rome. The note Mt the end of the
Epistle, .as found in our version Of the Bible.
declares that Phsbe carried it to Rome. She
was deaeoness All along we see what active
part women took in tho establishment OF chris
tisnity. ST. Paul Islt that much OF hrs sue.
cess was due to feminine aid. Phebe belonged
to the churcl, at Cenehrea, the eastern port Oh
the cityaof Eorinth. ROM. 10: ]. 2. st. Pani,
on way to Jerusalem, remained three months
at Corintb. Acts, 20:3 It was during that
stay he wrote to Rome. Verso 10 shows IL
WAS in the Spring.
De,fnitious.-vsrss r. This brings out the
principle Of individual responsibility. we
must ell give account. No exception il
granted Everyone must give has OWN rep0ft.
The whole account is to be the sum OF tho de.
tailed accounts. But the respective accounts
are wholly separate. No excess of good on the
part Of one person laps over to the credit OF
another who lacks. God is the One who ex-
amines Strict accuracy and unqnestI0bed
fairness will characterize the process. To live
is q serious. not haphazard, fact. We are not
to account for others. It is quite enough to
be held responsible for ourselves. Gal. b; ..
Verse b. Shows we must consider ourselves
first of all in passing on human conduct
Rather than looking to discover faults IN
others, we must be constantly on guard Tor
their welfare, and do all we can TO keep every
harm out Of their way.
Verse H. This emphasizes the voice OF con.
science. What might canse one to feel grieved
may please another. We arc not to consider,
therefore, so much the thing in itself as its
all our relations with society give place Tor in'
dividual c0nscientionsuess. A man may err
as to what is right or what wrong. but what
ever his conscience condemns be must avoid.
What he understands to be right he can DO
We see the call for correct teaching as to all
ethical question: Esteemeth means deem'
eth.
SELF TO BE SuBoRDINATED.
Verse 10 From this We learn that it is more
important not to offend others than to GRITTY
self. In matters not absolutely essential IL is
botter to forego disqualification than grieve
those whose conseienees will not permit them
20 500 tho nets in tho Same light In which You
see them. One canMos be called on to lose his
soul for others, but at times he may sacrifice
the realization Of some pet notions; may
give up the qualification Of some Ito HIM
innocent habit
Verse is. There is no use in being SO scru-
pulous a. to the carrying out Of details in nom
essentials AZ TO be offensive There is some
times kind of piety $50 called or professed)
that might be elassed with nuisaBces, hyper
critical, cantish, hypoeritic. pharisaic Piety
need net necessarily be offensive. The good
opinion OF ono the part OF society is almost
essential 70 his success. No Christian can
afford to despise current sentiment as to his
conduct. AS Christians We are TO be drawing,
attractive as to our influence on others. We
cannot do mach good Tor our associates 50 long
MS We act in way which sAey consider to DO
disagreeable.
Vsrse H. This ss . very important verso.
1t states both negatively and atfirmatiyely the
naturs Of tho Kingdom Of God, which is prac-
tically the Church of Christ. !. Negatively
a. It is not meat. b. 1t 10 not drink. 9.
Afirnatiyely: q. 1t Is righteousness. b. Peace.
C. Joy in the Holy Ghost. Christianity has ref
erencs to meat and drink, teaching temper
aucs in their use but tho admitted bid of fare
il generous and tastes arc miscellaneous.
Hence there Is room for an warrantable tastes
to be gratified. and there is no use for any
guarding. Let the Christian dict as he
chooses but there is no latitndo Of preference
~ to righteousness, peace and Christian JOY.
II man be righteous he will have peace of
mind. be in friendly relations with all. and
Aence have great joy. III one be righteous
there will be peace between God aud him, and
he will be relieved Of apprehensioBs (destruet-
i've of joy) as to meeting his account to God ut
the Judgment.
ChRrsrIASrTY's CHARACTERISTIC.
Referring to the three characteristics of
Observation-Disclosures peace, joy-An-
drew Fuller wrote: = Each has u distinct We
character, and yet each is SO blended with the
other that. ia disseeting one, you must cut
through tho veins OF ALL"
There is room for self examination as to our.
selves. We have the criteria. Can we match
the ideal? 1t must be made real in every life.
A certain Christian writer has the following
argumentu@ at homiaem.
"Have you these spiritual characteristics?
Are you righteous or justified in Gods sight
throu gt tho righteousness Of Christ? Have
you, as The fruit of such righteousness impaired
10 YOU u righteossness growing up moro aud
moro witAss goa, ~ inward spirit Of obedience
aud faith aud lose ? Are yon Mt peace with
Godf Hare you consciousness Of divine