The free press. (Poplarville, Miss.) 1890-19??, 1900-06-21

7-12; xiii, 24-3O-Goiden Text: "rhy
Kingdom Gomez Matt. vi, 1O-Sun-
mary of Lessons.
| INTRoDUcrIoN.-Duri the quarter We
have studied the life of Christ from the
middlet to the close of the second year OF
His public ministry. The first year Of His
public work is called the year of obscu-
rity, while the second year is the year Of His
greatest popularity. Christ taught with
| authority, boldness, power and compass
sion. He addressed men as men, not as
members OF any class, or rs posse5Sors OF
any peculiar culture. This Is why His
words come with such peculiar freshness.
| In the first lesson we find the standard OF
true religion raised by tue Master Himself.
Upon a mountain with His disciples as
hearers and the anxious multitude claim
ing q share in the great course of tnstruc-
ton Jesus preached that illustrious sermon
called the "Sermon on the Mount" 1t would
seem that enough truth were contained in
this one sermon to serve every need yet we
find that Christ continued speaking specif-
ically as occasion demanded. In lesson
two He touched upon the greatshindrance
to mans development in forming CHRISTIAN
character. He shows the reason for so
much harsh judgment. The heart OF q
man filed with bitterness and fault finding
sees only crookedness in others. he Is
blinded to his own sins and imagine5 his
own state to be that of his neighbor. Jesus
candidly pointed out the way to better
condition.
SUMMARY.-Lesson I. Topic: "True re-
Iigion. Place: Mount Hattin, near the
centre OF the west coast OF the sea OF
Galilee. He taught the disciples and the
multitudes. Who are blessed? The poor
In spirit; the mourners: the meek; the hum
cry and thirsty; the merciful; the pure in
heart; the peacem akers; those prosecuted
for righteousness sake. The promises
made are all rich aud full and sure.
II. Topic: Seeking and finding. Place:
Same as lesson L. Judge not harsh judg-
ment. AS ye judge ye shall be judged.
The hyprocrte tries to pull out mote
own eye. If we ask, seek, knock-we shall
receive, find, gain admittance. Iilustra-
tion: The father gives his son bread and
fish and not a stone and serpent; so God
will give His children good things. The
two ways.
III. Topic: Christ raising the dead.
Place: Capernaum. Jairus, ruler Of the
synagogue, fell at Jesus feet; his daughter
was at the point OF death; Jesus went
with him: news of her death; the faith OF
Jairus encouraged; great wailing; Jesus
reproves those who wall, and says the
child is only sleeping; He is ridiculed by
the people; took only Peter, James and
John and the father and mother and
entered in where the damsel was. She is
raised, and they are charged to keep it
quiet.
". Topic: The centurion's humility
and faith. Place: Capernaum. This miracle
occurred Immediately after the Sermon on
the Mount sick slave; the elders sent;
the centurion's good deeds urged; Jesus
went with them; friends are sent, and
probably the centurion goes himself, to
meet Jesus; he says, / am not worthy,
trouble not yourself, speak the word only;
Jesus says, This is great faith, not found
In Israel; the cure wrought at once.
V. Topic: Jesus encouraging and COM
mending John the Baptist. Place: In
southern Galilee, probably at Main. John
in prison: sends two disciples eighty miles;
two questions asked Art thou the Mes
siah, or do we look for another? many
miracles wrought the same hour; they are
instructed to tell these things to John, and
not to be prejudiced against Jesus. John
Is not a reed to be shaken by the wind, but
the greatest among the prophets.
VI. Topic: The doom of the impenitent.
Place: In southern Galilee. Cities rebuked;
they repented not; had been exalted; OPP
portunities sighted; destruction certain. =
But even yet they may be saved If they
will. The weary invited; precious, pos
tive promise given. Christ our teacher;
instructs in humility by putting Himself as
our example.
VII. Topic: Christ reproving Simon.
Place: In southern Galilee. The sermon
over (see last lesson), simon, Pharisee,
invited Jesus to dinner; wcman-a sin
ner-came in and washed, wiped, kissed
and Amounted His feet. Simon had failed
to perform the common acts of hospitali-
ty and Jesus now calls his attention to
his GOODNESS and lack Of love; reproves
him for being displeased with the woman;
parable; question:; woman forgiven;
the people wondered.
VIII. Topic: Hearing and doing. Place:
In boat. on the sea, near Capernaum.
Jesus left Peters house and the multitude
followed Him; spake many things In para
bles; this His first one; four kinds of
ground represent four classes of people;
many things caused unfruittulness. We
can, by Gods help, cause the soil OF our
hearts to be changed from bad to good
ground. We can overcome all hindrance5
and bring forth good fruit.
X. Topic: Christ's spiritual Kingdom.
Place. Same as lesson VIII. Three para
bles which represent the church militant.
There will always be hindranees and ene-
mics, but there is wheat, also, which will
continue to grow until the harvest. Great
separations will then take place. Chrst's
kingdom is destined to fill the whole
earth. 1t Is a live, growing kingdom.
with greater power and authority than all
earthly kingdoms combined, and Offering
protection to all vino will come under it's
laws.
X. Topic: Jesus instructlng His apos-
ties. Place: A village in Galliee. jesus
L
ing and healing; Is moved with compass
sion when He sees the ignorance and spir-
itual barrenuess OF the multitudes; needs
more lnborers; sends the apostles out; with
out money or extra garments; expecting
all kinds OF prosecutions; but, however, un-
der the protecting care Of tho Father.
Jesus continues His missionary work
alone.
XI. Topic: Herod's great crime. Place:
Mucherus. The death OF John occurred
about the time the twelve returned. Herod
Antipas was ruler OF Galllee and Perea-
When he heard of the mighty works OF
Christ he said John is risen. John had re-
bulied sin in high places. This is neces-
sary, for, allowed to 90 unrebuked, the sin
is made popular and the moral sense Of
the community Is deadened. Herod's
course brought disaster to himself.
XII. Topic: Bread in the DESERT
Place: Near Bethsaida on the northeast
shore OF the sea of Galilee. God can sup
ply bread where bread is least likely to be
found. Christianity is a great broad
"river of blessing flowing through the
world"