The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1900-09-20
THE SABBATH SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR SEPTEMBER %.
Subject: The Duty of watchfu1ness
Luke xiii, 35-46- Golden Text: Matt.
xvi, Al - Memory Verses, AZ, Al -
Commentary ON the DAYS Lesson.


the East, which those who wear must bind
up before they engage in any active en-
ployment." Jesus had just admonished
them against undue anxiety about temper
al, affairs Tvs. 2232), and now He gives an
admonition to watchfulness. And your
light burning" The master was likely to
return at any hour of the night, and in or
der to be ready to receive him their lights
must be burning
Sc. when he will return from the we'd
ding" The Jewish weddings were con-
Quoted with great pomp. The ceremony
festivities lasted from three to seven days
THAT when he cometh." AS these serv-
ants waited, with girded loins and burning
lights, all ready to meet their master and
run at his bidding as soon as he ap-
preached; so we are to wait for the com
ing of our Master. Wait Q) with eager
longing and .(2) with Joyous expectation
open Immediately" They will have some
thing to do frst-will have to get ready.
81. Blessed" Those who are ready are
blessed and are highly honored by their
master. "When He cometh." Christ re-
turns to all from the heavenly wedding at
to Himself His bride the church; to each
individual He comes when He stands sud
denly before a man at the hour of DEATH
"Shall find watching" We are to watch
against temptations from within and with
out; against pervading iniquities which I'll
the air with moral malaria, and even chill
the piety of the church; against failure IN
duty; against the loss of the warmth of
love; against the day of death and of
judgment, so as to be prepared for them
when they come. We are also to watch for
the coming of the Lord; watch for it with
hope and JOY; watch for the signs of His
special presence and power; watch for
opapipoS 70 corva Hin, nv balpipp His DOnr
children; watch for opportunities of COM
forting the sad, upholding the weak, re-
claiming the erring, teaching the ignorant,
leading men to Jesus, aiding His cause.
"Gird himself-serve them" Whatever
we do for God He will do in return for
us. 1t is unusual for masters to wait upon
their servants, but Jesus Christ was among
His disciples as one that served. See John
ID: a. s. This also signifies the Joy with
which they shall be received into the other
world by the Lord Jesus, who has gone be.
fore to prepare for them. and has told
them that His Father will honor them.
John II: %.
SO. "The second-or-third watch" The
Jews had adopted the Roman custom of
dividing the night into four watches. The
first watch was from six to nlne,. the Sec
end from nine to twelve, the third IRON
twelve to three, the fourth from three to
six.
SO. Had known what hour" The house
holders ignorance of the time when the
thief would come is the reason why he
does not watch. He cannot always keep
awake so he has to go to sleep and is
robbed. But our ignorance is the reason
for wakefulness, because we can keep splr-
itually awake all through life. The house
holder watches to prevent, but we to
share in that for which the watch is kept.
But with all the obscurity thus intention
ally thrown around the day and the hour
of Christ's coming, let us not forget that
no obscurity, no uncertainty hangs around
the great event, itself. In the East !ne
State Furnishes, but leaves the prevention
and detection of theft and robbery to the
individual interested. Hence the watch
man is necessary and important every
where.
40 BE We therefore ready" Always
ready so we will never be taken unawares
Watchfulness insures readiness; readiness
insures safety. Indifference marks the
way to sin and despair. scrlptural
preparation includes repentance and con,
version. "Cometh-when We think not:
See Thess. 5: 2; 2 Pet. g. 10, We should
resist the temptation to spiritual drowsl-
ness. Nothing is much worse than sleepy
religion. Rev. 3: Is.
Al. peter said unto him" This aposs-
tie was the one who afterward most need
ed the admonition Matt. %: ~, and IN
so sad manner forgot it. Those who
stand in most danger are often slowest to
profit by words of warning: Unto us, OF
even to all" Is it meant Tor us as Ih me
apostles, or for all men? Our Lord IN HIS
answer in speaking of steward, mt
mates that the parable has its highest RET
erence to the ministers and rulers OF his
church; but shows at the close ". 4o) that
it applies to every one according TO the
measure of his knowledge and OF the du-
ties laid upon him. ~,
ri nd steward.
steward was middle person between the
master and slave, and had the care of the
whole household. 1t was post OF conf
dence in which faithfulness was required.
AS the steward to the rest of the serv-
ants, SO should the apostles stand with ref
ruler" That one would be made ruler
who had previously proven himself faith
FIJI and wise who attended to his duties
during his masters absence with the same
fidelity that he did when he was present.
'"To give-meat." As Gods stewards we
should be ready to give out to others what
He places at our disposal.
IS. blessed" He is blessed in his deed;
he rejoices because he is found IN the faith,
full performance of his duties by his Lord
and he is blessed with high promotion
"Shall find so doing" We see here what
Christ means by watching; not gazing up
into the heavens for signs, but the faith-
full performance of duty"
A. He will set him over all that, he
hath" (R. W So each saint owns all OF
Gods possessions, even now. l Cor. 3: u,
%. The reward is both outward and in
ward; more glories and blessings and joys,
and larger capacities for usefulness and en-
iovment To him that hath shall be given.
Is. "Say in his heart" If, instead of
being faithful the servant begins to plan
wickedness and to actually enter into sin;
a different portion will be appointed
him upon his Lords return: "Delayeth his
coming" The fact that Christ's coming
is delayed causes the love of many to. way
cold. 2 Pet. 8: 3, 4. "To eat and drink"
Self-indulgence is very common sin. TO
be drunken" This was not only com
mon and terribly destructive sin in Christ's
time but it is the same to-day. The Ii
eensed saloon is the direct road to 'degra-
dation, vice, the gambling hell, the broth
ell. poverty, wretchedness, want, robbery,
prison, the gallows, the erunkard's grave,
hell"
46. "When he looketh not" The Lord
viii come suddenly and call every one to
an account. "Will cut him in sunder."
This was most terrible method OF exc
cutting criminals, anciently. with the I'M