The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-26
THE SUNDAY-SCHo0L LESSON
March -, 1sos-Reviesv of the First
Quarter.

The Gospel of st. Matthew is the most striking
instance in literature OF much riches in little
room" That the lessons CT a half year can. be
found in It is sufficient illustration of its wealth.
It is much more than mere narrative. IT I'M
dertakes to historically prove the Messiahshp Of
Jesus. 1t has been aptly called the Fundamental
Gospel, giving, it does. the perfect law of the
new covenant Among the emblems of the
evangelsts adopted by the early church, the fig
ure Of a man represents Matthew. because he
pre-emIeutIy brings out the human character of
Jesus. He is supposed to have written in Judea,
and primarily for Jews. His guiding thought Is.
Christianity the fulhllment of Judaism, His
Characteristic sentence is. THAT the saying might
be fulfilled" Thus Matthew contributes an inn
portant part to that sacred stereoscope which
gives us a record of Savior. not in its bare
surface but in it's living solidity." Modesty is a
pleasing trait in Matthews character, lie with
holds his dignihed family name of Levi We
must look to the other evangelists to discover it,
But he does not secrete his odous occupation.
He calls himself Matthew the Publican" If
he would magnify the grace Of the Master who
had called him from so base a station Again,
Matthew modestly says. Jesus sat at meat in
the house." We would not know, except for
Mark and Luke, that this was great feast
which Matthew gave in honor OF Jesus in his
own house. Thus he kept himself in the back
ground, and shows himself pure historian, alb
sorbed in the sublimity of his subject Again,
this being an argumentative narrative, the writ
does rot hold himself rigidly to chronological
order, but clusters events and teachings in
cumulative manner.
A most remarkable find" has just been made
in the ruins Of Oxyrhynchus, under the auspices
of the Egyptian Exploration Fund 1t is
Matthew Sir Edward Maude Thompson the
greatest living expert in ancient manuscripts.
-saffsfnction to Bible students to know that our
nj tQ-dqv word for word with that
of this most ancient manuscript of the New
Testament yet discovered II seems TO nave peen
RESTRICTED from the grave in which 1t has slept
these seventeen centuries on purpose TO confirm
the faith of the wavering. Within one hundred
years Of its original writing. within fifty years
after the death of the Apostle John. this copy
of Matthews Gospel was made Thousands of
pounds Of papyri from this same locality are now
under examination at Oxford. and additional dis
coyeries confirming the genuineness and anthem
ITCHY Of the Bible are confidently expected
THE TEACHERS CULVER.
John Baptists self was a sermon: a protest
against purple and fine linen. His mission was a
last effort of Providence in behalf of the Hebrew
nation. Matthew iii. 7-1T)
The difficulty of interpreting the temptation of
Jesus is reduced to minimum II one keeps in
mind that Jesus had true human soul. This
was the citadel the devil sought to storm. Matt.
~. LID
The public ministry of Jesus burst upon the
people who sat in darkness like moral sunrise.
principles and effects of the kingdom of heaven.
Matt. IL. 1850
The glory of Jesus inaugural sermon is. that 1t
addresses itself TO the universal human. heart.
Matt. " 1-12)
Jesus indicates what prayer is not. then af-
firms its essential character, and finally gives a
specific example of prayer Matt vi; 5-15)
How shall we live unless we apply ourselves
undoubtedly to the getting of a lving2' Jesus
anticipates the question. Body is casket of spirit
Creation of latter carries with it support OF
CORNER. tNatt. vi, 24-S4.D +
If Jesus called typical men to the apostolate
ter has need of such to-day-those whose industry
and efficiency already proven. Matt. tx, 9-11)
Sending out of apostles was last effort OF
Jesus benefcence toward his countrymen Matt
X, 2-i5)
Jesus answer to a timorous faith and a carpinl
dren.'' Christians the best argument fol-
Christianity. Matt. XII 20-S0)
With spirit destroying liberalism, Jesus took Is
sue He broke the tradition, but kept the Sab
bath. He wrought seven cures on as many Sab
baths if TO show the merciful character ant
uses of the day. Matt. xii. 1873
John Baptist was Herodtass Nemesis the deS
perate woman bated her hook with her daugh
ter's. modesty, and went angling in the pool o
drunken revelry. When Antipas found himSel
caught, he lacked the moral courage to snap tn
hook. Matt xiv, 1-12)
The Parable of the Wheat and Tares assert
that there is existence of good or evil apar
the kingdom tares, of the wicked one To tn
speculative question, From whence tares?
Jesus answers IAN enemy hath done this
further cautions against an attempted purihcatio
of the world. Only at the end of probation ca
final separation be made. Matt. xiii, S6-43)