The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-06-23

gins with the same general circumstances the
other the sowing of grain, but assumes that the
seed and the soil were good. II introduces anoth
er element, the bad seed sown by enemies. The
second parable, the mustard seed, exhibits the
small beginning and the extensive growth of the
kingdom. The third parable emphasizes the fact
that in the kingdom there is a germnal princi
pie which imparts to other objects its own quail.
ity, even as leaven spreads itself through the
meal.
TENTH LESSON June 3. The Twelve Sent
Forth. Matt iX, 3j to y, S.-lIere we have
four facts concerning the ordination of the apos-
ties: THE occasion. Jesus saw the multitude
who gathered about him and had compassion on
them 2-The authority lie gave TO them, that
is He impaired what otherwise they could not
have, right and ability to deal with unclcan or
evil spirits and with the diseased bodies of men,
3-The limitation He directed them not to go
to the Gentiles Ga ministry TO be exercised lat
err, but to confne themselves to the Jews. A
The instruction. lie ordered them to do two
things, to preach (Which was their chief busincss)
and TO heal, and to do this freely, that is, with
out remuneration or charge.
ELEVENTH LESSON % me 10. Death of John
the Baptist. Mark vi, 14-29.-Ths passage is
inteTjected in the narrative to show why Herod
had misconceptions of Jesus The conscience of
his crimes. The lesson serves also to show the
condition of society at the time, especially of
society at court the insecurity OF men, and the
manner in which lust and brutality triumphed
over virtue These things form the dark back
ground on which the pure life and excellent
teaching OF Jesus were displayed Never was
there a more complete contrast than that be.
tween Herod and Jesus. The character and deed
of the former served to show how important was
the mission Of the latter.
TWELFTH LESSON (June H. The Feeding of
the Five Thousand. John vi, 5.lD.--IIere is a
display of humanitarianism on the part of Jesus,
who improved a most interesting occasion when
His glory and power might also be revealed.
Thousands of hungry men gathered in the coun.
try to hear Him would have been dismissed by
the apostles. But Jesus detained them and with
five loaves and two fishes satisfied their hunger,
gathering up afterwards twelve baskets full of
what was not consumed. The outcome of this
wonderful deed was a confession from those who
witnessed it that Jesus was the great prophet
whom the nation expected, and they were ready
to make Him king.
CoNCLUSIoN.-The teaching of Jesus was in.
cidental, not systematic. He did not attempt to
arrange his utterances in a logical way, so that
one part should support another, and all should
form a continuous and orderly whole But he
spoke to meet mems needs and to answer their
questions. Wst he said, however, proceeded
from vast store Of knowledge that lay in His
mind in no confused way, and men ought to take
guidance Of His fragmentary and disconnected
words and go back into that realm of infinite
truth. So with His deeds. They were always
adapted TO mans wants. But they were also
evidences OF His almightiness in considering
which the human pind Is filled with wonder.