The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-01-28

CONTE%T.--Aftert the interview with
Nicodemus, Jesus and His disciples
made a Circuit in Judea, round about
Jerusalem. preaching and baptizing.
(John. Iii 22) AT the same time John
the Baptist was at Enon engaged in
his usual pursuit, seeking to win men
to righteousness. There thus sprang
UP certain questions, because the two
had acquired extended reputation and
men desired to know their relation to
each other. These questions gave the
Baptist occasion To bear testimony 10
Jesus and explain his own mission as
one of preparation for Him. But lit
tie later the Pharisees began to ouib-
BILE on the question of his popularity
(verse u and about the same time
Herod cast John into prison. MAT
thew, iv, 12D These two circumstances
showed that opposition to the gospel
had been awakened and that it was
destined to develop into persecution.
Hence Jesus determined to retire from
Judea and return to Gallilee, passing
through Samaria, which lay between.
Verse A.
LOCALITE.-Th sun had reached
the meridian. the sixth hour as the
Jews computed time, when Jesus and
His disciples approached little city
Of Sychar or Shechem (verse 81. situ-
ated in the narrow valley between
Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizm. The
place was one of historic interest.
There Abram halted as he came out OF
Haran. Genesis, xii, g. After the
conquest it was made a city of refuge.
(Joshua, XXX, - Not far distant was
parcel of ground which Jacob gave
to Joseph Genesis, Xviii, 22), where
that patriarch had sunk a well, which
still remained, although seventeen cen-
turtles had passed away. In Eastern
countries, where water is scarce, a well
is highly priced, and the owners gem
orally plant trees or build booths near
by and erect q wall so that one may
rest from the heat. Jesus halted and
sat down under the shade thus fur
nished, being weary, while His disciples
went away to the little city to buy food.
Verse g. The journey had been per-
formed on foot and this proved an ac-
ceptable resting place.
REFRESHMENT.-S Samar-
L.
near. She came for water to be borne
away home. Verse - This was
deemed to be proper service for women
in those days. The customs had not
materially changed since Rebekah the
future bride of Isaac, came out with
her pitcher to draw water, while the
servant of Abraham sat by the well in
Mesopotamia Genesis, xiv, 10, nearly
nineteen hundred years before. Nor
was there any danger in exposing wo-
men to the casual meeting of stran-
gers. The simplicity of life and the
speedy execution of penalty upon Of
tenders were in themselves sufficient
protection. Accordingly there appears
to have been neither surprise nor timIu-
lty when the woman arrived at the
we'll and found Jesus there. With much
gentleness and freedom He asked her
for drink. The secret of the request
was that as the we'll was deep and He
had no way of drawing the water He
saw in her the only method of obtain
ing refreshment. What could be more
acceptable to the weary than drink Of
water CMatthew, X, 42)
SURPRISE.-rhis request of Jesus
astonished the woman. She took Him
for Jew, and such He was in all out
ward appearance. Whereas, she was q
samaritan, one Of a class greatly de-
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