The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-01-22
Sunday School Lesson for january q.
The Beatitudes.
Matt. V; l-12
BY j. e. GILBERT, d. D., IL. D.,
Secretary of American Society of Religious Education

CThe author will publish an Examiner,
containing one hundred questions on the
lessons of this quarter. The Examiner
Will be mailed I'm March to any address
In any quantity at 2 cents per copy, and
may be used in oral or written review in
a class or by an individual Orders
should be sent to DR.. j. Il. Gilbert, ID.
d., not later than Feb. I, that the mailing
list may be preparedJ
CONTENT.-lt is not easy, perhaps not
necessary to settle the precise order of
events at this point in the life of Jesus.
Some scholars are disposed to take this
sermon out of its connection and put it
Immediately after the appointment of
the twelve Matt X, y as containing in
struction particularly adapted TO them
~ that time. Others think the discourse
was delivered earlier, and that certain
parts were repeated on the latter ocCa-
sion. Whenever spoken, the sermon on
the mount was the most extensive pres
entation of our Lords doctrine which
has been preserved for the generations
succeeding Him. 1t contains so many
utteranCes on such a variety of subjects
as TO merit and receive the commenda-
tion of all classes of men. Evidently it
was intended to correct the false notions
on religion then held by the masses of
the people, through the traditions of the
secs. We shall today study the opening
part of the sermon which deals with the
subject OF happiness
POVERTY.--Jesusw was speaking to His
disciples apart from the multitude
Verse H. He desired them to know the
secret of personal enjoyment in this life
Mistaken views here have ruined many
He holds that blessedness proceeds from
inward
(Matt. xiii, 80, and enumerates seven
particulars. Tie first of these is power
ty. not in worldly goods, but in spirit or
disposition. Verse So All mon are sin
ners (Rom. Iii, 2S), spiritual bankrupts,
but many appear not to be aware of the
fact (ROm. iii, ~, and move about with
much claim and show of righteousness
Happy is the man who has learned his
real state; who feels his indigence, de-
pcndcnCe and unworthiness; who is
humbled and ashamed before God Such
u man is prepared for an entrance into
the kingdom of heaven. Indeed, his low
ly frame of mind tends to peaceful en-
joyment of life and to confidence in God
as his only hope.
MOURNING.-The next blessing is pro-
nounced upon those that mourn; not
those who have mourned, but those who
are mourning. This state proceeds from
the former They who realize that they
are spiritually poor will experience a ten
derness Of conscience called godly sor-
row Oh. Cor, vii, 1OJ, which is essential
to the souls delivery from sin. psalm
vi H. This penitence, as it is sometimes
designated marks the transition from a
condemned to a justified state psalm
NXXii, i-0, and when accompanied by
faith awa<ens in the soul peace un-
known before. CRom. V, H. Hence the
Saviour'S promise, "They shall be COM
| forted." Wcrse ~ The tears and sighs
which result from ones conscious un-
worthiness shall be succeeded by the con-
ISOLATION of pardoning mercy, by hope and
JOY In the holy ghost psalm ii, 12), Il
foretaste of that everlasting felicity,
prepared for the saints when God shall
wipe all tears from their eyes" CRev.
vii, 10 The Scriptures abound in eX-
amples of those who have passed from
weeping to joy. psalm XXxii, H.
MEEKNESS.-He who, having discov-
cred his sinfulness, laments on account