The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-09-12

in confirming the Christian in q purpose
to lead a good life. once he associated
with those who INDUCED in practices
which now he sees 10 he injurious. Hav-
ing forsakeu those practices he becomes
the object Of criticism on the part OF
those former associates. They are sur
priSed at the change which comes over the
man who has become a Christian and
speak evil of him. But the latter. know
ing that this change IS for the better,
ought. because OF such criticism, to be al!
the more steadfaSt in his good purpose
Verse A.. for thereby is revealed to hin
the blindness and folly of his critics-a
blindness and folly caused by the life
which they lead. What can be more re
pulsivc than a man who condemns an
other for tryjn" to be Eood2 What strong
er incentive can there be 10 continue the
effort to be good?
ACCOUNTING-Thus far in the lesson
the beautiful example OF Christ. set for
imitation. IS COntrasted with the EVIL pTac-
tiCc OF men. those things which the Chris
tan once INDUCED. which old associates
continue. 1t is expected that one vii! be
attractive and the other reDellant. and
that by the combined influence OF oppo-
site forces the soul will be drawn heaven
ward. The apostle next presents the stern
realities of another world. NerSe % We
must all give account to Christ. He, the
Savior and 1nterceSsOr, the prophet ana
Priest, the example and guide. will be-
come the judge of men NOm. xiv. lW.
awarding to each his due. Matt. XIV, So
To some. as they stand in his presence,
there Will be confusion and terror thteV.
Vi. 1) because of their dark records.
Every one who regards that solemn event
ought to be melted to the greatest care
and diligence that he may be able to
render an account with joy and not with
grief.
PREACHTNG-The sixth verse Of the
lesson is one of the most obscure in the
Bible. There are as many different trans
lationS of ii. and comments upon it, as
there have been translators. and ommen-
tators. The following by Doctor Mcknight
iG the rendering most gpnprd1y approved.
For this cause was the Gospel preached
even to the dead chat is. the Gentiies).
that, though condemned by men in the
flesh their persecutors) they might live
e~ternalIy by God in the spirit This con
tinUeS the apostles line of thought. 1t eX-
plains the enlarged mission Of Christian
ity. az including the heather world. that
men. dead in trespasses and sins CEph.
II. D., might know Jesus. the pattern
spiritual man, and while believing in him
might initiate him and so escape the cor
ruptiOn in the world Oh Peter 1. y. and
enjoy the life of God. This construction
emphasizes the statements OF the last
three paragraphs and increases their force
as motives to holy living. Gods plan IS
one among Jews and GentleS-to break
the power of the flesh and increase that
of the spirit. (Rom. viii. g.
APPROACHING-There is also some di-
versity of opinion concerning the meaning
of the seventh verse. Some eNpOsltorS
think that Peter referred 10 the d~estruc-
ton of Jerusalem in the words. the end
of all things is at hand"-the end of the
whole Jewish economy. A more natural
Interpretation makes this a continuation
OF the fifth verse. The end OF all earthly
things is near, the judgment just men
toned IS rapidly approaching. Oh Peter i.
~ This accords. however. with other ut
]terances Of Holy Writ N;om. Xiii. 12). in
which the fact of speedy accountability is
made an incentive to a good life. deb.
Kill, 25) This life is so short, the next
world is so near, its allOtments are to be
made with such Justice that men cannot
afford to live any longer to the flesh.
They ought rather. to be sober: that is,
thoughtful. watchful and prayerful, This
is a sure method of overcoming the ami
NAL prOpensities of subduiHg the lower ma
and cultivating that by which we are al
lied 10 heaven. Heb. xiii. 1i)
BON1NG-The last advice of the lesson
the apostle appears to deem more impor-
things" he says Verse s., and %enjOins
brotherly love or charity. In putting a
high estimate upon this affection Peter
agrees will Paul q Cor. xiii. 49,. who, aft
It the bond of perfectness CCol. iii, a. or
the perfect bond. that which unites hearts
In profitable relations. Love is immensely
serViceable to its possessor. because it edi-
Christian graces. q Cor. viii, II For this
reason 1t Is enjC-ned in this connection. 1t
covers the multitude of SINS" not as a
mantle concealing. ones form. but as the
TO bring men to love God and to love their
fellows is the end sought in religion.
Matt. xxi 80 Indeed. it is the very es-
SUMMARY-What wholesome advice
does the lesson give for the regulation
OF the interior life, for the victory over
the evil OF ones own nature. Initiate
Christ, who submitted to the death of the
body in promoting the cause of God.
Abandon the evil practices of former
which are seen to be hurtful. Con-