The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-02
THE suNDAY-scHooL LESSON.
June 3, Matthew TX, 30 to \, =
The Twelve Sent Forth.

The Twelve Sent Forth.
The Hebrew folk were Jesus own" He
Was ardently and periodically attached to them.
To his. plying eye they were shepherdless sheep.
feeced. not fed. by a hireling hierarchy. They
were an unreaped harvest. in danger OF never
coming to the garner. When He sat and wept
on olives brow over the impending fate. He
might have said. What more could i have
done unto you that 1 have not done?'
The sending of the apostles out seems like the
last effort of benehcence In behalf OF obduracy.
All pains were taken TO make their mission a
success. They were to keep aloof from Gentiles
and Samaritans, and thus avoid arousing the
racial prejudice OF the Jews. They were to tell
persuasively of the imminence OF the gracious
kingdom, and invite and allure into IL. .
And they were to have supernatural seals TO
attest the authenticity OF their ministry. These
were not to be merely curious and inexpiicable
phenomena or awe-inspiring judgments Their
several paths were to be paved and illuminated
with benefcence Griefs were TO be assuaged.
doubts dissolved. burdens lifted. the sick healed.
and lepers cleansed. Their power, too, was TO
transcend the mundane sphere. bringing the de-
parted back to life. and sending demons to their
own place. They were to faithfully keep
themselves above suspicion Of a pecuniary inter-
est in their mission. AS they had received with
out price. they were also to give gratuitously.
They were to be thoroughly muscular in spirit
and aim. AS the best way to an Eastern heart
is through It's hospitality. they were TO throw
Themselves upon IL. They were not TO supply
themselves in advance with the resources which
would make them independent of those 10 whom
they ministered. They were to take neither cash
nor scrip nor superhuous clothing. Self-denyins
simplicity was to be their characteristics. Yet they
were no mean-spirited mepdicants. Every home
that sheltered them should get more than IL
gave. As the home they occupied might
become a citadel OF the faith after their de-
parture. they were to take special csre In the
selection Of a stopping place. They were to
go where there would be least danger
of scandal. They were to find some
one, IL they could, who. like Simeon, was
waiting the consolation of Israel. At such a
home they were to abide. and not fritter away
time, strength and influence in a round of fes-
tfvity. . Standing on the doorstep OF the
chosen house. they were to utter the conven-
tional blessing. Shalom lakem. But into this
common salutation Of polite society a supernat-
urai power was to be breathed. 1t was from
apostolic lips a greeting. and more-a prayer,
a blessing. However, the benediction was not to
be infallible. like the dictum of a pope. II
went not arbitrarily and irrespective OF the
moral status of the recipient. II the latter were
unworthy. the blessing rebounded to the blesser.
II they were obdurately repulsed from
any city, they were to perform at the gate.
IN full sight of the inhabitants-an act the
significance OF which could not be mistaken.
They were to do what the Jews did them
selves when they quilted heather cities. When
they shook of the dust OF a Hebrew city. they
showed that they esteemed the Jews them
selves heathens at heart, and, as Renan saws
gave warning to the inhabitants. so that they
might not plead ignorance OF the proximity NJ
the Kingdom Of God. . And now. were
the Apostles going a-junketing through Galilee.
assured Of a good time. generous welcome. and
lavish fare? The words of the Master were
enough to freeze their hearts with terror. 81
send you as sheep in the midst of wolves. :,
lhey went IN the teeth OF hardened enmity,
derisive rage. hellish cunning. And their outst
humanity speaking. was no outfit at all. But
really just here was their strength. Utterly
stripped OF human resources, they were driven
the more to the arsenal OF heaven. In their
utter weakness, the Lords strength was mani
fest and magnifed. . Like arrow IN far.
get. Jesus injunction must have stuck in ths
apostles memory-'Wise as serpents. Harmless.
as ooVes- AS In compromising ingredients
which, apart. may be inefficient or deleterious
combined, the injurious qualities are men.
traiized, and the whole eficacious, so in IN,
combination of the serpent and dove quaIitie,
erJofned. The dove alone is silly, the sernen,
CRAFTY; but the blend makes a characte,
Ideally perfect for days of persecution.
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
Inc directions OF Jesus to his apostles indi
cate the general spirit in which the ministr,
is 10 De undertaken to this day. They rul,
OUT the ambition for fat livings and Ioror,
personal and domestic outfits. But. on the othe,
hand. they do not obligate the incumbent :,
a VOW OF poverty or mendicity. AS Luther saws
FOR needful use. Christ himself had money
bag. and bread basket, too os,enta
ton IN house. e~quipage. or person In a min
ister is slngularly out OF place, and Calculate,
10 discount efficiency. But. on the other hand
there Is no premium on untidiness in dres
OF orusqueness Of manner. The do
cadence OF Christian hospitality toward preach
es is on many accounts to be greatly 70
gretted. The minister rarely comes IN con,ac
with the family as such in these DAYS. Pas
torai Gazing Is no substitute for the en,er
tainment OF the minister i'm the home. Cbudra,
are at school, and the men folks, ar worL
as a rule, when the 'calr' is made Amo,,
the happiest memories of my Childhood a.
those or the ministers who lodged under ON
roor. Ineir conversation was my mental slim
illus; their prayer melted my heart: their ex
amples nodded my character. The On
oependent-spirited preacher who consuIts bt
ease, and habitually prefers entertainmen, q
a motel, misses golden opportunities of do,n
good. . Peter Cooper Is said IN bay