The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-05
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
Feb. g. 1sos.-Matthev vi. 24-a4.

This emphatic declaration Of the impossibility
of the double service-God and mammon-corre-
spends TO the first digit OF the Decalogue: Thou
shalt have other gods before me-" An absorb
ing concern for the obtaining of worldly good-a
complacent repose in its possessIon-partakes of
the nature of idolatry: 1t excludes God from the
account, well mans own spiritual nature
1t is the sin of sins: covetousness which is idol
airy.
But the Master Teacher anticipates the ques-
ton, How shall we live unless we apply our
selves undoubtedly to the getting OF a living?'' In
noble and touching language, Jesus reveals the
fatherhood and providence of God. The forgetting
of this truth leads to grasping and cruel com
petition in the gaining and selfish gluttonous,
thankless using of what is once acquired. This
is the argument: The body is the casket OF
rational and immortal spirit. The very act of
creating suck a spirit carries with it the support
of the body in which it is enshrined. The reason
ing is from the greater to the less. The analogy
is from nature. Fowls and flowers live and
thrive and that too, without the artificial de-
vices of which may avail himself. The
benevolence which expends itself upon the least
will not be parsinonious toward the greatest.
No stronger deterrent from corroding care can
be found in human language. He who spoke it
himself had not where TO lay His head. Thus
He not only commands, but He exempliies the
spirit of dependence and trust toward the Father.
There is here no premium incidence how
ever. In fact, labor is tacitly enjoined. Man does
reap and ather into barns: he does toll and spin.
BY this very means the Heavenly Father feeds
and clothes him. Continue this reaping, gather
ing. toiling and spinning; but In the right spirit
and in the right proportion. Where this becomes
the sole aim and end Of life it partakes Of the
essence Of idolatry. 1t is Gentilisni, pure and
simple.
The holy and supreme passion or every heart
should be the complete setting up therein OF the
kingdom of God, the resultant of which is right
eOusness of heart and life. This is the believers
true portion. He is sincerely satisfied with it.
To this. other things, convenient and necessary,
added. This condition OF reasonable pru-
dence and industry: for no guarantee of sub
version Of natural law is made.
MOSAIC FROM COMMENTARIES.
Can serve Belong wholly, be entirely under
commando r. B.
The master of the heart may be ntIy termed
the love that reigns in it.-clarke.
Two masters: When two masters differ essen
italy must be loved and the other hated
there is no middle relation.-Meyer.
If the masters agree 1t Is essentially one mas
ter. Here two signifies opposing
Ye cannot: Poor slave is under conui ,ting juris-
diction: one commands; another prohibits. Ibid
Mammon Does not only mean aiuence. but
worldly possessions. however few.-Bengel
Therefore say: Act not thus; for your God
and Father Is essentially enough for you.-Stier.
Take no thought: When version was made.
thought expressed the idea of solicitude That
anxious solieitude. that earking care.-J. T.. T.
Our version exag~erates the command -Alford.
What We shall eat: The prohibited questions ask
not how shall be supplied, but shall be sup
piled at ail?-Whedon.
Life more than meat Argument from the great
err to the iess.-J. 4. y.
Consider the lilies: Let man. who is made for
eternity, learn from a flower how low the Gaze
of Providence stoops.-ClarlSe.
Flowers grow with their essentially connate, not
merely put on clothing.-Stier.
Much more clothe you; An appeal to faith was
much, as to all human appearances mans sensi-
tive earthly life is just level with the with
ering grass.-Ibd
These things Gentiles seek: Belly and back OF
wording IS his compound god.--Clarke.
Knowing nothing beyond present life, heather
naturally pursue present Objects +. b.
Heavenly Father knoweth: Argument from ON
niscence, goodness. omnipotence OF God.-Bengel.
Sad condition of Gentiles-i e.. cruel selhshness
-Tesult Of loss Of idea Of fatheFhood OF God.