The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1898-01-27
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
International Lesson for January 30.
1SDS-HOw to Pray-Matt. 6,J-15.

ARRANGED from Peloubet's Notes.l
GOLDEN TEXT.-Pray TO thy Father
which is in secret.-Matt. G:G.
THE SECTION includes verses l-S-in-
structions rs to heart-worship, with the
emphasis on Prayer
T1ME.-1n the summer OF A. d. IS
PLACE.-The Mount of Beatitudes, or
Horns OF Hattin.
THE LESSON.
l. Heart Worship.-Ns. 5-s. In the
first half of this chapter Jesus gives
US lesson on heart worship, and ar-
plies the principle He lays down to Civ
ing, TO praying and to fasting. The
principle is that of absolute sincerity.
without sham, without pretense, with
out unworthy motive concealed under
the apparently good object.
The Principle Applied to Giving.-One
should give aims for the sake Of help
ing others, because it is right, because
It is pleasing to God, because it is the
natural outflow of love. So far as aims
are given for the purpose of being hon
ored and admired, it is hypocrisy and
not virtue.
The Principle Applied to Prayer
VS.. 5-s. s. Thou shalt not be as the
hypocrites are" who do not really pray,
do not desire or expect what they ask,
or hold communion with God; but de-
sire to appear very religious to men,
and hence stand apart like the Phari-
see in the parable, as if absorbed in de-
votion, "in the synagogues," the proper
places of worship, where the worship
ers can see them, land in the corners
OF the Streets" where they could be
seen from four directions. That they
may be seen Of men," who will praise
them for their piety and think them
very good. They have their reward"
The reward they sought. They got no
answers, for theydid not seek anything
from God.
6. but thou, when thou prayest:"
your real purpose being to pray, "enter
into thy closets" or secret chamber.
where others can neither see nor hear.
"Shut the door:" to keep out all other
persons. as we'll as to shut out worldly
thoughts. "Pray to thy Father:" who
is your friend. who loves to aid his chill
dren. (Which is in secret:" The in
visible spiritual God. (Which seeth in
secrt:" Knows every secret place
every hidden desire. "Shall Reward
thee openly" Better, as in R. ". rec
ompense thee, answer your prayers
Give you the things you ask for, or
if these are not good for you, give you
the better things you would have asked
for. had you seen as God sees
z. "But when ye pray, use not vain
repetitions:" The repeating over and
over of set forms, as If there were some
virtue in the mere act of praying; as II
God would do something for them, on
account of their much speaking"
8. "Your Father" No earthly father
cares for lot of heartless repetitions
Nor does our Heavenly Father. know
eth:" Appreciates; He feels for you
| therefore you can come to Him with
freedom. and ask what you will.
II. The Lords Prayer.-Vs. 9-13. Q
AFTER this manner therefore pray ye:
With no vain repetitions, but as chill
| dren asking of father the things they
need. (1). The fact that Christ gave
| His prayer in two different forms shows
| that no exact form of words was re-
| quired; and the fact that Luke, writing
| at least rs years after the formation
| of the church, gives one form, and Mat
| thew another, shows that no obligatory
| form was in use in the churches.
Note that first in this prayer are the
| petitions for others-for Gods honor
and the coming of His kingdom among
men. After that, both in place and i'm
portance, come the petitions for our
selves. The very act of praying such
a prayer enlarges and broadens the
| soul, and is an antidote to selfishness
In the two most important recorded
| prayers of Christ-at the institution Of
His supper John ~, and in Geth
semane, He begins His prayer with pc
| titions for Himself, but the spirit i:
| precisely the same as in the first peti
ton of the Lords Prayer. He would bt
| glorified in order that His Father nigh
be glorifed; and He would have the cuI
pass from Him, but only if the Lord:
will could be best done in that way
He that does not want first of all Il
have the kingdom come within himself
and to do Gods will as it is done il
Heaven, cannot, sincerely pray tina
others may do Gods will, and belong
to the kingdom.
An Enforcement of the Fifth Petition
VS.. IA, IS. This marks the impor
tance of this point. IA. "For if we for
give men their trespasses:" The wore
indicates reckless and willful sin, con
scious violations of right. The hard
est sins to forgive. "Your Heavenly
Father will forgive you:
Because it shows that we are in. tina
penitent condition which makes for
giveness possible for us, and good fol-
| us.
is. "But if We forgive not:" God can
not forgive under such circumstances
without by the very act increasing sin
and injuring the one forgiven.