The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-01-29
Matt. vi; 5-15.

mysterious power. or merely as to the cre-
tor ruler and Judge, but as 10 u father.
tNerse 81 This was a great advance over
heather and even Jewish thought. The
old Testament had many lofty concep-
tions of Deity CGCn. /, u, including the
idea of mercy ZEN. Xxx, o.. but 1t was re-
served for Christianity to inculcate the
iilial spirit. ROmans, viii, lJ.J How
ever, the Christian must not degrade the
Deity by thinking of him as II mundane
being. the error of many religionists of
that time, for He has His home in
heaven, IL spiritual being in the realm
of spirits. Moreover the suppliant must
not come alone, but as "A member of the
household of Coz, desiring for all his
brethren what he seeks for himself. Ev-
cry child must ask for all the children
Prayer must pe in the plural number,
not in tho singular; Il united, not per-
sonal request. Individual needs must be
expressed in general forms. Hence the
opening words, "Our Father without
which nothing could be said rightly.
SOVEREIGNTY Having by this in
vocation of two words placed ones self
in right attitude toward God and other
Christians, what shall be the first and
dominant desire expressed before all
others? The establishment of the Di-
vine sovereignty. (Nerse 1O.) This Is alb
solute in heaven among the pure spirits
who live in bliss. Hsalms, Gill 20) But
alas, among men the will of God is dis
regarded by multitudes and sought inn
perfectly only by the few. The record of
transgression, beginning in Paradise.
(Gen. iii. III, extends through all genera
tions and lands to the present time. A
frightful record it is, dishonOring to God,
destructive of the highest good of man.
TO every pious heart there must come
inexpressible pain as the worlds sin and
nj II
arise an earnest longing to restore what
has been lost TO bring back to earth
the righteousness of heaven would bring
to all of earth's inhabitants that for
which thousands struggle in VAN. THY
will be done" includes every possible form
and banishes every known evil that af-
flicts the race.
NECESSITIES.-The desire for person.
al needs may find expression after the
desires for the kingdom. The individual
must be less than the whole and YET
he must not wholly forget hinse t.
| Jesus inculcates in one short sentence
great moderation. Bread that which
supports life unmindful of superhuities
| or luXuries; daily bread. that portion re-
quired day by day, with no request for
supera bundance; "our dailv bread" that
which the good Father deems to be best
| "give u.s." not help us to earn it, but
DeStOW IL upon us, lnlS Is lne prayer 10
| be offered. Verse IL This does not en-
courage idleness which is elsewhere con-
demned UI Thess. iii. 10) nor lack of
| forethought, which is enjoincd prov. vi,
| 81; neither does it set premium on pow
| erty or pronounce against wealth, seeing
| the latter has come to many saints Gen.
xiii, q, and is the legitimate outcome of
| a we'll regulated life Matt. VII 33) The
| intention of Jesus was in this request to
: subordinate material to spiritual inter-
| ests. to reduce the anXieties concerning
| temporalities Matt. vi, 1O, to awaken
| a feeling of child-lke dependence, to
| recognize the fatherly care of God for
| His children, and cause them to rely
upon His favor. q Tim. VI, IL
| NENESS.-Through all the fore
| going there runs a strain of humiliation,
, implying impcrfection and ill-desert,
| which at last breaks out ia single sem
| tence crying for forgiveness. "Our
| debts" our unpaid obligations, are de-
fined afterward as trespasses. They are
the sins of omission and commission that