The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1903-12-18
EPWoRTH LEAGUE.
Topic For the Week Beginning Dec.
20, "a Choice For Eternity"
Text, Luke xvi, 1881.

Jesus was speaking to a mixed COM
pany in which there were many of the
most religious of the people, the Phar-
isees and scribes, and also large num-
bers of the common people who were
reckoned as irrellgious. Because Jesus
did not shun these last, but did talk
and eat with them, the strictly reli-
gious people were scandalized, much
as church members would now be as
tonished and offended if an evangelist
should Familiarity visit and associate
with the dissolute and drunken
Jesus talked to them about losing a
sheep and a piece of money and how
we would hunt to find it, about a
boy squandering his money and then
waking up to his condition and starting
on the way to true manliness.
After this He carries His lessons of
life a little further and speaks about
the enduring results. the permanent
effects of our actions. The first series
of pictures from life shows the anxiety
one feels to save what he has and to
recover what may have been lost. The
fact that one who has been prodigal
and wanderer may return and find wei
come and become a dutifui son is also
made clear. Jesus here shows the real
nature of God in His dealings with
men in this life.
The second series of parallels carries
the truth beyond this life and shows
the settling of destinies for all eternity
by the actions of this life.
The parable of the unrighteous stew
ard showed how man in a position of
influence might use his power so that
when he had lost his place he would
have friends who would take care of
him. The lesson Jesus taught from 1t
was that we ought to use our opportu
mites and means so that when all
earthly advantages are gone we shall
have friends who will welcome us into
eternal abiding places
Then comes the story of the rich man
and Lazarus. This has had many diff
ferent explanations. 1t should be
studied in its connection with all the
parallels which go before it. 1t closes
this special section of teachings.
Read carefully and with attention to
all surrounding circumstances the main
truth that is taught appears to be the
permanent effect on future destiny of
the way we live in this life. Nothing
is said about any special vice or wick
edness of the rich man nor of any spe
cial saintlincss of the poor man. Nor
does it appear that the rich man went
to the place of anguish because he WAS
rich and the poor man to the comforts
of Abraham : bosom merely because
he was poor The point of the teaching
of Jesus appears when he says. ''fhe!
have Moses and the prophets; let them
hear them" That the rich man had
not needed, regarded and kept Gods
law as given by Moses and the proph-
cts seems very clear from his anxiety
that one shall be sent from the dead to
his brothers, whom he acknowledges
have not repented. Jesus states plain
ly the uselessness of sending such a
messenger. If those living have no dis
position TO walk the right way pointed
out by the teaching of such holy men
as Moses and the prophets no persua-
sion by one rising from the dead would
have any influence with them.
/ The mysteries of the future life are
claiming as much attention now as
ever they have. Every person has rea-
son for keenest interest in the discus
/ sion. No one should lose sight of tho
supreme Importance of knowing the
| truth. Whether it seems pleasant or
disagreeable we should force ourselves
to recognize the fact that our future
condition depends on the use of our
present opportunities, No regrets will
undo what is once done. Neglect of
i Gods law now forever forfeits the
benefits to be had from obedience to
j that law. The gulf between characters
good and bad is unchangeaby fixed,
and the limits once passed can never
be repassed,
What you are now doing and becom-
ing will remain yours and you-ever
Then do and be what will be best
forever.