The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-06-25
Sunday School Lesson for June 26.
Second Quarterly Review.
BY j. e. GILBERT, D. D., LII, D.,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education.

INTRODUCTION.-D the quarter
now closing the Sunday schools of Chris
tendon have studied i'm the last year of
the public ministry of Jesus. The lessons
have been detached passages taken from
the book Of Matthew, containing in all
ono hundred and forty verses, or what
would form less than five pages of an Svo.
book of long premier type. This fact is
i'm itself a marvel. Was there ever such
condensed biography? Who would ex-
pect the memory of any man to survive
his generation of whom there were such
slight records? Who would expect that
millions of adults and children, widely
scattered in lands far distant from Judea,
would eagerly pore over these fragments
assembling for twelve consecutive Sab
baths, to report and to compare the r.
suits of their Investigations? No other
theme could hold such prolonged atten-
tiOn. In this review 1t is proposed to
group the lessons under a classified list
of topics. the better to show what we
have learned concerning Him.
MIRACLE.-Onc lesson only. The first,
exhibits the powers of Jesus. The mir
acle wrought i'm the cases of Tyre and
Sidon may be recalled under several as
poets. The woman, i'm her humility, her
persistence, her faith, is a splendid exam
pie for all who seek any blessing at the
hand of Christian example increasing in
beauty and value as the centuries go by.
The woman's name and antecedents are
all unknown; she is immortal on the page
of sacred history as a successful plCadCr
Matt. vii s., bright exhibit of posi-
hilitics, even in the spiritual darkness of
hcathenism. .. The deed of Christ on
that occasion is luminous a ) showing Ills
largenesS of heart John Y, l6), and the
plan and condition of His mercy. With
holding until there had been the fullest
trial and exhibition of faith, lie at last
grants the request in a way to make glad
every heart and encourage all in their ap-
proach to Him. lie cures a distant
daughter for her mothers sake. s. The
disciples were patterns of undevelopCd
and unsanctiied humanity. Anxious TO
escape annoyance they sought Jesus in
the woman's behalf, but expressed no
sympathy for her and no concern for her
dtvil-tormontcd child.
PREDICTION-Lcsso two presents
the knowledge of Jesus. The whole
race of Adam has journeyed on, each
step being one Of uncertainty, no person
able to say how or when this mortal life
would close But Jesus, while travelling
about, teaching and working miracles,
knew constantly what would be the end
of His career. Before Him was the en-
nifty. the cruel persecution, and the
cross. lie saw Himself in the city OF
Jerusalem, arrested, delivered to the
rulers put to death. TO Him this was
all so vivid that lie predicted it nearly
| a year in advance. speaking of it to His
| disciples. 6lat they might better under.
| stand Him and prepare for what would
| tranSpire. And yet lie spoke with com.
posure ana proceeded with His wor'
| with all the courage and tranquility
| which might have been expected had He
| been approaching the highest earthly
| dignity. This prcsCcnce was proof o
| divinity. Nay more, it was proof thd
| the life Of Immauuel among men had al
! been predetermined and prCdrranged
| that His mission in the world involved
and required His sacrifice lisa. lii, a-5).
| EXALTATION.- The earthly life o
| Jesus. from beginning to end. was one -
| humiliation PhH. ii, 81. True by Hit
| words and deeds the world might see cvi
| denCos of His superior nature. But on,
| event, the transformation. recorded il
| AAAAAAAAAAAAAA