The Tupelo journal., 1903-01-23
THE SUNDAY d O
for January 20, 10O3-Paui's Coun-
sci to the Ihessalonians.
THE LESSON TEXT.
q Thess. 5:I4-2s.l

minded, support the weak. be patient to-
ward all men.
Is. See hat none render evil unto any
man; blu ever follow that which is good,
both among yourselves, and to all men.
16. Rejoice evermore.
: II. Pray without ceasing.
is. In every thing give thanks: for this
is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerns
ng YOU.
10. Quench not the Spirit. $3.50
20. Despise not prophesyings. 2
p. Prove all things; hold fast that which
Is good. sf6f
Y. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
2s. And the very God of peace sanctify
you wholly; and I pray God your whole
spirit and soul and body be preserved
biafneless unto the coming of our Lore
Jesus Christ.
"a. Faithful is he that calleth you; who
also will do it.
%. Brethren. pray for US.
rs. Greet all the brethren with an holy
kiss.
q. / charge you by the Lord that this
ep.stle be read unto all the holy brethren.
Is. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with you. Amen.
GOLDEN TEXT.-HoId fast thaa
which La good.-l Thess. 5;21.
ANALYSIS OF SCRIPTURE SECTION.
The people of the Lord ......I. Thess. 5:12-22.
The blessing of the Lord....I. Thess. 5:23-28.
TIME.-A. D. So.
PLACE.-Corinth.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
Anxiety Dissipated.-.Forced to flee
from Thessalonica after laboring
there but a short time, Paul could
hardly help being anxious about the
converts he had gained while there,
He knew how severely they would be
tried-how they would be frowned
upon and ridiculed and deserted by
their friends; how, too, he would
himself be slandered and accused OF
preaching for money. Would they
be able to stand out against such as
saults? The letter we study to-day
was written upon learning that they
had been faithful.
1t was a great disappointment to
Paul to be obliged to leave Thessa-
lonica when he did. Review the facts
of last Sundays lesson. He was
eager to return to. the Christians
there, but when that seemed to be
impossible, he sent Timothy to en-
courage and help them, and bring
him news of their welfare. When
port, Paul.. who had been anxious,
was so relieved and overjoyed that
he sat down at once and wrote them
the letter that we study to-day.
This is the gentlest of all Faults
letters. He writes as the missionary
pastor, without@ thought of contro-
versy. The Thessalonians had been
greatly troubled by the death OF
some of their number, for they had
supposed that none of them was to
die till Christ had come with great
pomp and glory to rule an earthly
kingdom. In this letter Paul speaks
comfort and consolation and hope
to their souls.
Verses IL and 10 counsel regard for
church officers, and peace among all
the members. This was specially i'm
portant in a new church gathered
of hitherto d~iscordant elements.
know them that labor among you:"
Acknowledge or recognize or regard
them. Esteem them exceeding high
ly in Loves" Let them stand very
high in your loving esteem. 'Admon-
ish the disorderly:" Not the duty Of
the officers alone, but of 1.-THE breth-
rem" Compare 2 Thess. 3:11, For
we hear of some that walk among
you ~disorderly, that work not at all,
but are busybodies." So vivid was
the belief in Christ's speedy coming
that many enthusiasts stopped work.
The effect was of course demoraliz-
ing. Evil for evil" Private revenge
was not Christian. See Matt. 5:3s,
80. THAT which is good" Instead
of rendering evil for evil, they were
to definitely seek the welfare of their
brethren. "Rejoice always" An in.
junction that Christians sometimes
forget. The Christian above all men
should be cheerful and rejoicing.
pray without ceasing:" Let your
lives be lives of prayer-not lives
given up to the speaking of petitions,
but lives of constant communion
with God. "Quench not the spirit"
etc: THE sober-minded had become
displeased with the excess of en-.
thusiasm displayed by some-per.
haps those instructed in 4:11-and
were in danger of discouraging some
genuine manifestations of the Spir-
it.'-Prof. Bosworth. Against this
Paul cautions them. "Prophesy-
ings:" The exhortations and testi-
mony of the Christians at their
meetings. Every form of evil"
Not all appearance as in the Common
Version, which would mean an en-
tirely different thing.
"a holy kiss" A very common
eastern ~salutation. See Oriental Les
son Lights. Brethren, pray for u.s."
Paul's asking the prayers of the
church for himself suggests a way in
which we who believe in prayer can
help and strengthen our pastors.
The paragraph following this letter
in the Common Version, stating that
it was written from Athens, has been
omitted from the Revised Version.
since it was not on the original man.
uscript, and is incorrect.
Rams Horn Blasts.
Deep digging must go before high
building.
The love is not faultIess that fall