The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-01-17
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
For January %, "Paul's Counsel
to the Thessalonians." q Thes.
v, 14-2S.)

INTRODUCTION-After his labors at
Thessalonica, Paul proceeded to Berea. as
studied last week. and thence to Athens and
Corinth. In the last-named city he contin-
ued for eighteen months (Acts xviii. III.
preaching. teaching and organizing the
converts into a church. Corinth was the
Vanity Fair Of those days. a place OF
wealth. luxury and Righteousness. While
there Paul heard that the disciples at Thes-
salonica were prosecuted and that many OF
them had suffered martyrdom. 1t was a
time Of great distress for those who had so
recently confessed their faith in Christ. To
console them, and awaken hope concerning
their deceased brethren. Paul wrote the let
ter from which our lesson Is taken today.
perhaps A. D.. So, probably the earliest doc
ument of the New Testament, unless, as
some think; the gospel Of Matthew pre-,
Of the book. one should read what goes be-
fore our passage Only as the entire
epistle is considered may one obtain some
the apostles thought.
BEHAv!oR-(verses II and 15.) Paul was
a deep thinker who sought to make every
conduct. He had one end in view in all
his t~eachings-to regulate the actions of
those who waited on his ministry Here We
or disorderly. those who did not conform
to the wholesome regulations adopted for
the feeble-minded, those who lacked mental
ability. to appreciate conditions: and to sup
port the weak, those who were infrm in
those with great patience. CHeb. XII, ia.1
This would make the strong care for the
unfortunate the very purpose Of the
XIX. 1s). even as was, done under the old
dispensation, and also by the Master Matt.
V, Sg), and closes this part Of his advice by
low that which is good" In this last he
does not define what he means by the good:
he does not prescribe certain rules and
roOrrlo ffhnS -ETha infnrtiap &C. ~a THAI . - -
peal to that motive sense which will enable
every man who follows 1t to maintain a
good course of life.
much for the outward life. the conduct of
the Thessalonian Christians. Paul next en-
tiers into the interior life. whence all actions
spring. He war too good a philosopher to
suppose tina. the outer could be regulated
without the inner: CMatt. xii. sSl But see
he requires. three of them rejoicing. thanks
giving. prayer. These are inseperably joined
t IN every ntybs true ne, heart, ard they draw after
moreover: is the natural order. 1t is only
the joyful man, the one who accepts pres
who can pray. 1t is only the prayerful man
who is grateful But the three dispositions
are asen not urged as occasional: They are to be
I'm everything" The daily settled habit Of
the soul must be to exercise itself in this
ing of the soul to God. All the fears. anx-
ieties. SORROWS are to be drawn out. Those
delightful emotions that bring the man into
isSed and cultivated.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 49, But how?
Who is able always to rejoice. pray and
who does not know that aches and pains.
cares and disappointments come into it at
every turn? Who has not called this a
vale OF tears and found approval from
those about him? Can a man cast this all
aside and present always the same sweet
temper of joy and gratitude? An, but he
NAV have helm and fhen ho Can do ff.
Phil. Nv. ls) The spirit of God granted to
all men energies, all his powers, and so
is impossible. Rom. vii, 2s.) There is not
so much. need In asking for the spirits
help as to accept and cooperate with It.
men may BY indirerence or oppo.it has
gracious work. Eph. ", 3O.) The apostle.
therefore. urged the brethren at Philippi
not to do this. knowing that. spiritual
he lad advised, were conditioned upon
spirituality, a state resulting from the
spirits influence.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. 20 and ~. Once
more Paul returns to the truth factor in
the Christian life. 1t is not by the spirit
alone that desirable conditions are pro-
duced with corresponding good conduct. The
word OF God is the sword Of the spirit (Eph.
vi, 10. by which salvation is wrought out.
John viii, s2) Hence, p~rophesying-that is.
preaching-is not to be despised. but highly;
esteemed. for in this way the truth comes
to the nearer multiplied by the personality
that delivers 1t. A very important principle
is involved here. When God gives a mes
sage to a servant and that servant comes
to speak to men they wrong themselves and
offend God il they are Indifferent. M!att. 4,
14) And yet no man may accept without
examination the instruction Of another.
Every statement should be proved by the
word of God, and by the results Of expert
ence. That proving process. brings .disci-
pine to the powers and prepares for the re-
ception and appreciation of the truth. tActs
xvii. III Indeed, that only is truth which
may be approved in this manner. And when
the truth is found. the good thinG In the
words Of the public teacher. Il must be held
fast as exceeding precious. prov. kill. 49,
APPEARANCE Verse .2Z-The direction
ito hold fast that which is good required
some explanation and enforcement. What
is good? By what method shall one de-
termine? 1t is easy to deceive those who
are most anxious to be right. That is the
nature Of most Temptations; Something
bad is disguised and made attractive, else
it would be rejected. prov. t.. I'D Hence
the Importance OF proving every statement
and course Of action as previously advised
by the apostle. But here he offers a time
" and safe suggestion. Men must not only
hold to the good. but they must refuse