Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-01-10

International Lesson Comments ici
January II.
Srsi:ci: Christian Living. Phil. w.. I.lJ-Gold.
en- Text, Phil. ~. 4-Msmory Verses
6'S Commentary on the Days Lesson.


1ntroduction.-'lhc erlStle 10 the Phil.
ln?4ar> was written from Rome. lust ne
tore Paul's release from his first imprisolI.
mcnt. Ii Is full Of tender and aifectIonatc
coun 'cl. This church was very dear to
Paul. Several times they sent him money
III relieve his wants. tar lesson L. a vivid
pictm OF the possibilities OF Christian liv-
ing Ii its teachings were carried out hv
all Gu istendom the miliennia' glory would
Snoedi.y be here. and the kingdom 81
Christ would I've victorious IN the earth.
This epistlc reveals something oi the
charactc" of the church at Phiiippi. Paul
wrote nothing to them by way of r@proof.
Their great love for tine apostle had caused
them to send Epaphrodit,,s to Rome with
gifts 10 support him in prison. and Pan.
sent this letter to them when the mcsSen
ger returned We also sec The pear. and
iov that filed the soul of IT, great an1>t,e
The same mind" How impor,ant that
thosc who labor together III Christian
work should avoid nj di>-cr>ions'
5. "Yokcfel.ow." There Is much differ
ence OF opinion as TO whom the apostle
here addresses. Some think EpaplrodituS
is meant. Others think the c!d"r or
bishop OF the church Is meant. and i'lat
Paul is urging him TO hep The women inst
named to a reconciliation ri their differ
ences. Still others think thai tho Greek
word 'suzugnS." which meaus ''yoteIc,-
low sho"id here he rendered as a rropcr
name. Help these women. Ile,n Euod-
las and Syntychc They lahored' From
the earliest times women have rendered
valuable assistance IN the propagation "f
Ike gospel. The gospel opens wide the
door OF Christian activity 10 women.
Clement" Bishop OF Rome shorty after
the death of Peter and Paul lie wrote IN
epistie to the Corinthians which il still
book OF those whose citizenship j. III hcav
en- U.nke 10: 20: chap. 3: 20i. Apcicnt,y
free cities had roll book containing the
names Of all those having the right OF cit.-
2enship.
H.. E.hoTtatiopS 10 the who,c church
Tvs 40. T. Rejoice IN the Lord True
JOY can only be found in the Lord. al
way" Even in the midst of Affections and
trials. There is Joy in the earthly things.
but this is not lasting The believers
joy towers above all external circum-
stances. and my always abide. even in the
most distressing conditions. Note l.
Christians may end should rejoice. IN
This verse is command. ~ .Iov is one
of the fruits of the Spirit tGal. 3: 22l t3l
1t is the natural result of peace with God
Christian iov. al Not in the creative.
(2) In God-in His love His word His
providenceS. ,. The Christians jov should
be constant. al God is Interchangeable ca
The way to God is always open. !. There
are mauv benefits to he derived
). Moderation TT forhcarancc. Mild
ness. patience. gcnt.eness The word
means ,orbearance. yieliingness. l. i the
grace which is slow To take otfensc and
swift To forgive: which suffers wrong
rather than quarrel Those who are ex-
pecting Saviour from whom they need
clemency may well show all men that they
nf l-N oh. a.sys
J. Does not exact all the claims OF legal
Justice. Equity is superior to legal enact
ments ,. Should be evident in dealing
with all classes. ,. Should be practiccd
as conscious OF the near advent OF Christ;
1t Is sorry spectacle when Christians ap-
neal To the civil courts to settle their dill
ferences.
6. I'm nothing be anxious See Matt
6: %. There Is a care of diligence which
is our duty. and consists in wise forecast
and due concern. but there l. care OF
distrist, which is our sin and folly. and
which only perpleXes and distract, the
mind. by PRAYER" etc. The true anti
dote IS that constant prayer, which carries
everything. great and small with no ex-
ceptioa. to God. Supplication presents
specific petitions to God. The thank sgiv-
ing which should accompany PRAYER Is
general. and should cover all past mcrcies.
Prayer makes known our desires 10 God
and casts our cares and burdens upon Him.
Z. Peace of Cod This follows as a
natural result. 1t is the rest and conf
dence which God gives to those who sur
render all into His hands. Sec John u
~: Psa. ll9: 1865: lisa %: B. Shall keep
guard. AS a Waterman guards city
Hearts The heart is the seat OF the IL
iections. the desires and the motives.
Thoughts Even our thoughts. or pun
poses. are Ia he guarded
- L., ,rI.r FD. m. ., L., -
happy recipients OF Gods love and favor it
will be necessary for US to take the course
here outlined by the apostle. True"
Ability To discern truth from error l. here
recognized. Pure Freedom from flesh.
" impurity which dcfies body and soul.
II denotes chastity in every part OF life:
Good report. Whatever Is spoken well
of among good men. Think. Let Your
thoughts dwell upon that which is virtu-
Gus and holy. In this verse We have the
science of Christian ethics.
.. These things do" The apostle j. -
conscious that in all these things he has
followed Christ that he does not hesitate
to commend his life 10 them worthy of
imitation. What they saw in him was
the same as what they had heard from
him.
~. Thankfulncss for the gilt sent Us.
1913. 10. But ] rejoiced.' The re-
newed proof of their regard in the reief
sent ny rpdpnTOultus aWoke III lne apostle
q holy joy. They We're. in their solicitudc.
like tree putting forth fresh shoots
They had helped him before. and. indeed.
had never ceased their care OF him. hut
they had for long time lacked an opror-
tunity OF manifesting il.
II. Il have learned" etc The apostle
does not say he had not been in want. bat
he had learned TO meet adversely with that
cheerfulness which the grace OF God in the
heart can give.
r. Il know how etc. He had been in
poverty and want. and again he had
abounded with blessings. He knew the
two extremes. and was not cast down in
the one or elated in the other He took
whatever came as from the Lord.
ID. Il can do" etc. st. Paul now
passes from knowledge to power This
ability came through faith in Christ.