Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1898-01-26
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
LESSON v. JANUARY 3O-MATT.
q: 5-15.
Golden Text: Pray to Thy Father Which
Is In Secret-Matt. 9: Glow to
Pray-Some Explanatory Notes and
Suggestion to Teachers.

The section includes verses 1-1S-in-
structions as to heart-worship with the
emphasis on prayer. Light From Other
Scriptures. Prayer.-Matt. Z: ZIP; IS: 10.
20; Luke IL: lib; 49, LA; John 16: 1891:
Rom. s: &c: Phil. 4: 6; Jas. 1: 81; John
5: IA, Is. Suggestions to Teachers.-The
emphasis in this lesson should be laid on
the Lords Prayer. We first note the
underlying principle of all true worship.
then. having come unto the spirit OF
prayer, We learn now to pray. This
prayer is so familiar that we are apt to
miss the greatness the perfectness, and
the depth of meaning in it. We often need
to stop and think upon the familiar
things around US. We are like those who
have become acquainted with the surface
of the ground. its paths and lawns. it's
flowers and trees, when some one shows
that beneath that soil is the fountain head
of river, or rich mines of gold. Let
us then learn for ourselves and teach our
scholars Place in the Life of Christ
About the middle of his second year-the
year of development. part of his Ser
mon on the Mount. or laws of the king
dom. Historical Setting.-Time.-In the
summer of A. d. %. Place.-The Mount
Of Beatitudes. or Horns of Hattin. Jesus
between 81 and 80 years old. John the
Baptist in prison at Castle Macherus The
Twelve Apostles chosen just before this
sermon was preached.
Explanatory.-Heart Worship.-Vs. SIS.
In the first half of this chapter Jesus
gives us a lesson on heart worship, and
applies the principle he lays down to CIV
ing. to praying. and to fasting. The
principle is that of absolute sincerity.
without sham. without pretense. without
unworthy motive concealed under the APP
parently good object. The Principle APP
piled to Giving. One should give aims for
the sake of helping others, because 1t Is
right, because it is pleasing to God. be-
cause 1t is the natural outflow of love.
So far as aims are given for the purpose
of being honored and admired, it is hypoc-
risy and not virtue. One may indeed
DO good by stealth, and blush to find
1t fame" A Warning. There are those
who want the Lords will done If only
they can be on the committee of ways
and means" and Gods will be done in
their way. A lesson in seeking the COM
ing of the kingdom in our own hearts.
THE soul of all Improvement is the i'm
provement of the soul''-Bushnell. Give
us this day our daily bread. New light
is thrown upon this petition by COM
parison with its slightly varied form in
Luke. Matthew says, give in one act.
Luke says, be giving. continuously.
Matthew says, this day: Luke says, day
by day. Daily, in the original. is pecu-
requisite, sufficient, "a supply that just
comes up to and covers our real wants
without overlooking. Morrison. Or (0
for the incoming day. the day just be-
ginning. Bible. "Give us to-day
food sufficient for the neXt."-Thayer.
That Is daily. /. This petition shows that
God cares for our bodily wants. He know
eth that we "have need of all these
things" He delights in our comfort, and
"giveth us all things richly to enjoy" I'm
the present age, it is especially important
to urge that men shall pray for temporal
good. since so many think that the recog-
nized presence of law in all temporal
things puts them beyond the sphere of
prayer. as If that would not exclude God
from his universe. "-Broadus. The body
Is the instrument of the soul. and should
be cared for as a musician cares for his
violin. or an engineer for his engine. At
the same time we are to note that out Of
seven petitions, three for Gods glory,
and three for our souls" there Is but
one. this central one. for earthly things.
:. Give us. Every worldly good comes
from God. No matter how much we must
work for our daily living. still it is the
gift of God. for he gives us the strength
to work. and the opportunities. and con-
trolls the course of nature which supplies
our wants. money is as power ess
against flood and drought. frost and fire.
rot and grub. as Pharaoh was against
fog and fly, locust and darkness
Boardman. "All the science in the world
cannot create one grain of wheat" Nor
can all the wealth. This fact tends to
make all worldly things draw us toward
God. For on every worldly good we see
the image and superscription of our
Heavenly Father, and proof of his love.