Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-02-21
THE SABBATH SCHOOL
International Lessen Comments For
February y.
Subject; Christian Love, Cor. l3-Goldcr
Text. Cor. Kill. i3-Memory Verses
l-3-Coudcnsed Commentary on
the Days Lesson.

| Tue Day LESSON.
I. Love superior to gifts Tvs. l-3). l.
'"rhough | speak" The objector insists
that the cases cited in this and the two
following verses could never occur, but this
has nothing to 30 with the apostles argu-
ment. He does not stop to discuss whether
it would or would not be possible for these
things to actually take place, but even if it
were possible, yet without charity there
would be no profit. Tongues" etc. That
8, though | were able TO speak all the Ian.
| euages spoken upon earth, and with the
eloquence of angels, and though have the
gift of tongues bestowed by the Spirit at
Pentecost. But have not love-" That
love to God and man which is shed abroad
in the regenerated and sanetified soul by
the Holy Ghost from. 5: 81. Love is a
| word as impossible to define as it is impos-
sible to define life. AS sounding brass"
No better than the sounding instruments
OF brass used IN the worship of some OF the
heather gods. Thinking cymbal." The
cymbals were two pieces of hollow brass,
which, being struck together made tnk.
ling. but with very little variety of sound.
So the highest eloquence even about the
gospel ls but an empty sound without the
love of God in the heart.
- Gift OF prophecy" The knowledge
OF future events, and also ability to speak
Gods word .(chap. IA: 81. "All myster.
les. Though l understand the meaning
of all the types and figures of the Old les.
lament. and all the secrets of nature, and
the dark things in Gods providences. "All
knowledge" Every human art and
science. Mysteries refer to the deep coun-
sells OF God heretofore secret, but now re-
vealed to his saints. knowledge refers to
truths long known. Remove mountains"
See Matt. II: 20; 81: 81. Removing mount
aims. Is phrase used to signify the re-
moving or conquering great difficulties, get.
f~, Nfop,e 4 IL
the highest kind of faith and could ACCOM-
plish the greatest possible results. But
have not love-" Notice that Paul does not
assert that one could have these things
without love, but says if he could. Il
am nothing" Nothing in myself, nothing
and good for nothing to mankind
}. "All my goods" Though l distribute
them piece by piece with the greatest care
Body to be burned" Men will fight for
Christianity. or die for Christianity, who
will not live its spirit, which is love. With
rejects the man. who is therefore protited
nothing.
ii. The qualities of love Tvs. 40. 4.
, Love" Fifteen characteristics are here
pointed out. 1t cannot be defined. The
greatest minds can only describe it by its
qualities and results. ''Sutfereth long"
This is the negative side of love. 1t suffers
all the weakness, ignorance, errors and in
firmities of the children of God, and all
the malice and wickedness of the children
OF the world, not only for time, but to
the end. rs kind" This is the positive
side. 1t Is mild. gentle. inspiring the suf-
ferer at once with the most amiable sweet
ness and the most fervent and tender af-
lection. "Envieth not" Has no i'll will /;
does not oartake of that disposition which
is mingling of hatred and jealousy and
covetousness. Love envies not the advan-
svsfN H. II.
but rather takes pleasure in them, and en-
Joys or shares them as its own.
8. unseemly." unbecomingly, Taught.
ily. "Sceketh not her own" Love is an
utter enemy to selfshness. Charity never
seeks its own to the hurt of others. or
their welfare to its own. as not easily
provoked" But easily" does not appear
in the Revised Version. 1t is not in the
original. True love SIS not provoked"
Is not irritated or made sour or bitter
There is power in the blood of Christ to
"Thinketh no evil" 'Taketh not account
Of evil"
6. "Rejoiceth not in unrighteousness."
1t is not love, but its opposite that rejoic.
eth in the downfall or injury or disgrace
OF others, and in the triumph Of wicked.
auentiy means ''the gospel" Love joys in
the triumph of virtue and is glad when the
gospel IS extended, even though it be
through rivals or enemies. See Phil. /:
1918.
7. "Beareth." Reproaches and hard
ships; or covereth the failings of others.
"Believeth." rs ever ready to believe the
best Of every person. and will credit no
evil of anv but on the most positive evil
aence." "Hopeth." Hope is desire, mingled
with expectation. "Endureth." Accents
exnryfhinD f,or, @ha owl. fo;tbs,,l
der all circumstances.
Ill. Love enduring and abiding Tvs. s.
l3). s. Never faileth." 1t is eternal in
its very nature and must endure as long
as God endures, for God is love. 'Prophe-
cies." The gift of prophecy shall be done
away" The revelation given by God to
the church being completed the gifts Of
prophecy will be no longer needed. And
then, too, the time will come when the
prophecies will be dome away" because
fulfilled, and no longer of any value to us.
Tongues" ~ Speaking with tongues
and (2) the many languages of earth will
be lost in the one universal language of
heaven. knowledge" Shall be brought
to an end because but partial and incom-
Gil. ain part" God reserves for His
children knowledge far superior to what
He has revealed to them here. Their
greatest discoveries in nature and grace
are only the beginning of better things.
Perfect" The state of eternal blessed
ness. "A child" Paul uses this as an il.
lustration. The present state is a state of
childhood; the future that of manhood.
Such is the difference between earth and
heaven.
II. "For now" In this present life.
'In a mirror. darkly." Ancient mirrors
were not made of glass, but of polished
metal, and the reflections were very OBJ
scure and imperfect. Then" In the
is, there will be thorough, complete
knowledge, as the original word signifies.
Mysteries will no longer trouble rs.
l3. "Now abideth." Amid things
changeable and perishing the Christian re.
tains these principal saving graces both
here and hereafter. Faith" sThe vision
OF the unseen Heb. IL: ~. with its conse-
quent trust in God" Hope" The ex.
pectation of future good. Faith and hope
will be stronger and more complete in the
next world than in this. THAT our happy
state will continue forever we shall know
simply because God has promised it, that
it, by faith similar to our present belief
in the gospel" "Greatest-is love-" Great.
est in extent, in endurance. in manifesto.
ton. Greatest because without love the
others would profit nothing.
A Mormon Family Reunion.