The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-11-17
Sunday School
Lesson
for
November l8.

CONTENT.--Thc international committee be.
can the lesson Of the day with Verse IL, treat
Ing thus only nine verses, in which is a record
OF healing of the lcpcrs. In these notes il Is
deemed best cover six previous verses begin
ming with the fifth. The object in thus extend
ing the study is to secure the introduction OF
! contest. IL must he remembered that there
was a relation between the deeds and teaching;
Of Jesus He used one to illustrate and enforce
the other. 1t is important, therefore, that this
relation should be duly considered otherwise
the force Of Ills words and acts may be lost.
In the case before us the conversation between
Jesus and His disciples led up TO the cure OF
the cpers. Us that supplemented the converse
ton Roth bore on the subject Of faith one
abslractly and the other concretey. Takin-;
tic two together we shall have clearer views
than il We took either alone and we shall sce
more distinctly what all need to understand,
something ri the mind Of Jesus and the plan of
Ills ministry.
REQUEST. T.--This teaching awakened the apos-
ties to serious reflection. They realized the
danger ot wrong doing toward u fellow dcscpe
They felt that it would be exceedingly difficult
to rebulie one in a right spirit and bring him
iess their faults Dames V: lG), as a method oi
reconciliation, and almost impossible to forgive
one who offended so many times, They must
have realized their inability 10 attain tine elc.
waited standard and 10 perform the delicate ln
| ties enjoincd 1t is great event in any mans
! lite when he approves an ideal, but feels his own
| short conin.s and weakness Rom. vii: Isl. The
| apostles, thcrcioie sought the aid OF Jesus IL
meet their need ''lnerease our faith" was
! their united request Evidently thCy believed
| that faith is the essential IN every holy ca
,leavor (IIeb Ni %; that while they had 4 meas
! IRE OF iaith it was not strong enough for tht
! duty required OF them, and that Jesus had tho
! power TO develop this excellent quality in then
(Eph. ii 81. These three opinions were outsid,
the ordinary range OF their thinking. They
reveal the better and more hopeful side OF apoS
! tolic character showing that they were grad
uay approaching the realm OF spiritual matters
and that the efforts OF Jesus for their education
were in a measure successful But We're the,
right in this request? Or We're they feeling
after truth which they were unable to grasp?
REPLY--The Lord does not rebuke the apos
Ses for their request, proof that lie was no
displeased with them. Neither does lie offer Il
grant their petition, at that time o. at am
7 time, am indication that they had not spokcl
| altogeher\in accordance with His will. Blu
lie instructs them and leads them into cleare
| view. "li yc had faith as 4 grain OF mustar'
seed lie says, implying that the desire Tor III
crease was not quite proper. small faith, |
genuine, likened unto the least seed (Natt. xiii
32), was sufficient tor great deeds. They nigh
with il do wonders; they might command tn
sycamore 10 be transplan,ed in the sea and tn
tree would obey. This statement has provoke
unwise discussion. The remark ought not to b
taken literally but hguratiyely. There is NJ
| possible gain in maying tree grow in IN