The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-08
THE SUNDAY-SCHOOL LESSON.
Jan. s, 1s09-John i, s5-4o.

Jesus emerged from the wilderness, leaving be-
hind Him 1.-THE naked and awful mountain Of
maediction." There His messianic character and
work had dawned upon His consciousness. There
He evolved His plan TO the principles Of which
He adhered to the close of His career.
He came back to the vast concourse still at
tending the ministry Of John the Baptist at the
ford of the Jordan to a human quarry from
which He could select living stones as the foun-
dation Of that spiritual edifce He designed to
rear. Nor was He disappointed. He found five
out Of twelve Of the apostles
When John Him he gave Him a joyous
welcome. No shade of jealousy crossed his noble
heart. He unequvocally cast the full weight OF
his phenomenal influence upon the side of the new
Teacher, crying: Behold! Gods Lamb so much
more precious than Aaron's: Lamb that taleth
up and beareth away the collective sin Of
world
On the morrow. as Jesus reappeared. John re-
peated his significant exclamation with even in
creased emphasis. 1t is as if he had said: Who
ever wishes to leave me now and follow this great
Teacher is at full liberty to do So" Two Of the
choicest spirits among his converts take the hint
ana separate themselves from the rugged Baptist
to follow the lOwly Jesus.
The Nazarene hears their footsteps, and turn
ing, encourages them with look and word. They
are drawn to Him as iron to the magnet. Under
the fresh-cut houghs of pilgrims booth. in
me coot deptns OF some grotto, they sit at His
feet and learn Of Him. their hearts burning with
in them He unfolds the PRINCIPLES of His
kingdom. Then kindled in the human heart
OF Jesus that love which made John evermore
His bosom companion.
Andrew coveted his brothers superior abilities
for the service OF the new-found Master He
rested not until he had communicated to him his
mouentous find and he brought him to Jesus.
The next day the addition of the fourth
disciple in the person of Philip. who showed the
spirit OF true convert by Immediately bringing
another to Jesus in the person OF the gueless
lsraelite Nathaniel iBartholomew.)
In connection with this call of the first disciples
TWO miracles Of knowledge present themselves
edge OF the past. He knows the vacillating simon
viii be TRANSMITTED into the nmobie rock He
knew an about NathaneIs secret struggles in his
Ig-tree oratory, an experience Nathaniel knew
God only could he aware of, which brings him
logically TO the conclusion that Jesus is the Son
of God
THE TEACHERS CULVER
First-This with that of Matt w. 1922 are
probationary calls from which the disciples wers
afterwards dismissed to their familiar environ
ments TO think what they had heard. The
final call is recorded in Luke v. i-il
Second-siuild Of Andrew and Phfip is a happy
name, significant Of both aim and method Aim
Is to bring e Jesus: method personal invitation
Third" About the zenith hour John never
Lord Nen nc hiss met inc
fourth--Jesus saw Nathaniel in his secret
s,, So u5sle- May He not also know when Wa
n1ssset anu thirst for a blessing?
rim Tome and see Is still the Savfor,s
sstclous invitation. The experImenfal test Il
'"ess satisfactory. No substitute for IT,