The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-06-22
Sunday School
Lesson
for
June q.

1NTRQDUCTORY.-we are now cemc TO the
last section in the last Book of the New Tes-
lament. which we do we'll 10 approach with
great reference and trepidation. Confessedly the
passage Ia exceedingly obscure No ono is able
to give a full account OF what the Holy Spirit
intended to teach. AS suggested last week tile
interpretation of the whole book must be in
the future, when. in all probability light will
be shed upon its pages, which will bear instrllc-
tion and comfort for all believers. This has
been the feeling Of scholars through all the cen.
turies. Calmet. an eminent French thcologian,
who louriscd two centuries ago, said: ITO pre-
tend to say what is meant by the details in this
most igurative book tRevelaton) is in my opin
ion the greatest OF all pres,jmptions." These
words have been repeatedly quoted with ap.
proyal. The more reyercnt the student Of sacred
Scripture the less likely will he be TO utter
opinions dAsmatically upon matters concerning
which the learned are in doubt. the more dis
posed will he be to set forth his views tcnta'
lively. and to pray for further light.
These cautions are offered at the opening OF
today's lesson because there Is an unploftablc
and even pornicous custom among class OF
lay teachers to thrust crude notions before the
minds OF the young. Perhaps no part of the
Bible more than the present lesson, is capable
OF greater abuse in this way. Its glowing fig
ures appeal in fascinating way TO the int
agination. As n result many form ideas in
carly life which become troublesome in later
years as knowledge increases. After long men.
tai distress, in which one vainly attempts to
examine the very foundations Of religious belief
the juvenile absurdiies are rejected. Possibly
the person wandcrs about for years after in mu ii
suspense, coming at length to correct views
only by prolonged investigation. Much of this
might be avoided il teachers we're more humble
and less positive. They lose nothing by con.
Tossing doubt ignorance concerning the sense
OF any Scripture expression. The Bible is not
to be esteemed less because in parts our little
pummct cannot sound the depths (Deut.
xxix::2o).
And yet while much of what is set for our
study cannot be explained, there is something
OF immense value in the lesson, lying on its
very surface, which may be easily understood.
That is OF the chief cxcellcnces of Scripture.
1t has message for every SOUL that he who
reads, whatever his abilities, may not read in
vain, while those coming after may find what
those who went before never saw. Thereby the
book is ever adapted to ALL growing with the
growth of men and advancing with the progress
OF the race. ever yielding UP its treasures, yet
ever concealing and holding other treasures in
its depths. 1t is thus the oldest and the new
est, the latest, the freshest and the best OF books
1t is in this spirit that we may attempt such
comments upon the present lesson as will be
neither forced nor fanciful, but Legitimate aud
true.
EXPOSlTORY.-The great thought OF the les.
son is in the first verse, "a New Heaven and
New Earth,' the old heaven and the old
earth having passed away. This is the goal
os the cosmic history, the consummaton of the
Divine purpose in Christ. The old world has
been a world OF sin, of suffering, of conflict and
OF death. Every land has been dclugcd with
blood (Gcn. vi:j) the earth is one vast ceme-
terry But here are assurances of another earth
filled with righteousness Osa. xix, s.. The fact
first presented to The prophets came with greater
cca,ncss to the apostles Pct. iii:l3). John saw
that new clrth lie docs not say how it will be
pioduccd-whether by catacysm or by gradual
transformation. The speculations on these points,
indulged in by many are omitted here This
thought of a universe has been held by
scientists and historians. OF the former some
think they find in nature tendency TO in,-
pIovement by the laws Of evolution. the sur.
vival OF the fttest and natural selection, while
those who have studied the race movements
declare that the world is growing better, and that
it must ultimately come into state OF great
order and peace. The poets have cherished the
same thought and have pictured the future in
bright colors, and turned their eyes toward it
with faith and hope aind JOY. Tcnnyson wrote
OF "One far-oif Divine event, toward which the
whole creation moves" But here in the vision
of John is the olcarcst statement of ALL Better
than the utterancc OF science. of history and of
poetry is the voice of inspiration.
The next great thought of the lesson is intro
duced in the second verse and expanded in other
verses In this earth there shall be an
abiding place for the saints, called the 'IIoly