The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-10-20
BY
j. E. Gilbert, DID,
Secretary of American
Society. of Religious
Education.

the woman, lights a candle, that Is, institutes
illuminating and searching agencies and pro-
cesses This is the natural and legitimate bust
ness of the church, and if it is neglected then
is its mission forgotten and its energy wasted.
CALLING '(Verse 0).-On finding her lost coin
the woman did what the man did on finding his
sheep-she rejoiced. She made no apology for
disarranging the furniture and causing incon.
venience to the occupants OF the house. The
Irregularities disorder and confusion were deem.
ed to be highly proper under the circumstances.
She assumed that all about her would share her
spirit, and hence she called on them to unite
in her expressions Of joy, and they readily com.
piled. So Jesus intended to intimate that II he
had transgressed the ordinary modes of minis.
terial service, II he had proceeded in way
contrary to the established order, these Phar.
isees ought not to complain. On the contrary
they ought to be first and loudest in their cx-
pressions OF approval when these publicans and
sinners were made hearers Of the word. Who
could say but some Of them would be immensely
useful in the world? The hour OF their patient
attendance might be the beginning Of lives that
should contribute incalcuable good to mankind.
LIKENESS Verse 10).-Once more Jesus en-,
deavors to lift the thought OF his audience TO the
heavenly world. 1t may be that he had the
same motive in doing that prompted his prev
ious reference. Probably, however, he intended
to emphasize the fact that spiritual beings in
the other realm are governed by the considera-
tions that influence here, and that the two realms
are so related that the conditions of the lower
are known in the higher, That word "likewise''
is luminous with truth. Heaven and earth are
not far apart Men and angels are in close
touch. The heart Of an angel Is like the heart
Of a man. The law that determines here de.
termnes there-one law in the moral universe,
above and below. What We feel and do in re-
ligion is in response to that natural prompting
by which all actions among men are controlled
The finding Of a piece OF money, the finding OF
a soul are both occasions OF Joy, and exhibi.
tions OF the human heart These Pharsees had
erected fictitious standard and are thus shown
the more excellent way.
SUMMARY.-Jesus Christ came into the world
to save siners Il Tim, i:15). They were pre-.
cious in His sight as wanderers, buried be.
meath the rubbish and dust OF time. However
far removed from Righteousness, however deeply
sunken in shame, He sought them. This EN-
ployment deserved the high praise Of all be-
cause it enlisted the sympathy Of the pure be-
ings in the realms Of light. II was therefore a
God'lke pursuit. In like manner the people OF
Christ must he earnest In reclaiming the way
ward They must stoop to the lowest and the
yilest and fear nothing from the contact. II
the sons OF God shouted together at the Hrst
creation (Job, xxxuii:O, how much more may
believers when a new creation begins when a
soul Is born into the light OF everlasting life
CEph., iii:lo). st. Bernard, with exquisite TASTE
says the tears Of >penitence are the wine Of
angels and Of saints. Luther says the sinners
conversion causes Te Deuins among the heavenly
host.