The Tupelo journal. (Tupelo, Miss.) 1876-1924, 1903-09-18
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson in the International Series for
September 20, Observation-Disclosures
from EVIL.
THE LESSON TEXT.

q Pet. 4:1-1l)
Torasmuch then as Christ hath suffered
for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise
with the same mind: for he that hath suf-
fered in the flesh hath ceased from SIM
. That he no longer should live the rest
Of his time In the flesh 10 the lusts Of men.
but to the Will of God.
5 For the time past of our life may suffice
" to have wrought the viii OF the Gentiles,
when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts,
excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and
abominable idolatries.
Wherein they think it strange that ye
run not with them to the same excess Of
riot, speaking evil of you:
Who shall give account Of him that
Is ready to judge the quick and the dead
For, for this cause was the gospel
preached also to them that are dead, that
they might be judged according to men in
the flesh, but live according TO God in the
spirit.
But the end of all things is at hand: be
We therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.
And above all things, have tervent
charity among yourselves for charity
shall cover the multitude Of sins.
8 Use hospitality one to another without
grudging
10 AS every man hath received the gift
even SO minister the same one to another,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of
God
II If any man speak. let him speak as
the oracles of God; If any man minister, let
him do it as of the ability which God giveth:
that God in all things HAY be glorified
through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise
and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
GOLDEN TEXT.-Be not drunk with
wine, wherein is excess.-Eph. 5;1S.
OUTLINE OF SCRIPTURE SECTION.
Having Christ's mind............1 Pet. 4:1-6
Being fervent in love-. Pet. 4:1-9
Acting as good stewards. .......1 Pet 4:lO, II
TIME-Supposed to be 66, A d.
PLACE-Rome.
NOTES AND COMMENTS.
This important part of the New Tesla
ment was probably written by Simon
Peter, near the close of his eventful life.
1t is hopeful letter of Christian COM
fort written to both Jewish and Gentle
believers, in the provinces of Asia Minor,
who apparently were suffering persecu-
ton for their faith. 1t was probably
written at Rome (Hastings' Bible die
tionary), the name Babylon, in 5:13,
probably referring to that city 1t is
very likely that Peter had come to Rome
to visit Paul in his Imprisonment, and.
as Silvanus tSilas) was going to Asia
Minor as PauPs delegate, the other
apostle took advantage of the oppor-
tunity to send his greetings and encour-
aging exhortctions to the Christians
there who were in trouble. The letter
does not discuss doctrines, but is full
Of practical advice for everyday life.
The theme of the letter is 1.-The true
Christian in suffering"
Arm We yourselves also with the
same mind" The best protection in
the world against sin and temptation,
suffering and despair, is mind like
Christ's-serene, patient and unselfish.
He that hath suffered" Suffering often
acts like a purifying fire, consuming the
dross of selfishness and sin in human
life. "Revellings:" The Greek word
refers especially to village merrymak-
ings, with which were associated the
unrestrained immoralities of heather
festivals. THE same excess of riot"
The difficulty of living pure Christian
life in the midst of such vile surround
ings must have been much greater than
to-day. Yet in many quarters wine-bib-
bings, reveling and carousings are still
popular, and we need to be reminded
that such customs are utterly out of har-
mOny with 1.-The mnd of Christ" and can
not be INDUCED in without serious con-
sequences. We notice that indulgence
in strong drink leads to the whole list
of vices mentioned here. 1t is the moth
er of crimes and the breeder of vices
George Dana Boardman pointedly says:
AS Bunyan's Pilgrim is represented in
the earlier portion of his journey as al
ways carrying upon his back a huge
bundle of sins, so each traveller in the
broad road to death is bear
ing great bundle Of woes Among
them are losses of time, of talent, of pur-
tty, of clean conscience, of self-respect,
of honor, of religion, of the soul. The
saloon darkens the family, obstructs
business, arrests industry, impedes
progress, deranges plans, estranges
partners, undermines houses, lowers
personal standing, debauches politics
1t is the nurse of political dictators and
lobbyists"
The true substitute for the evil allure
ments of the saloon is cordial good
fellowship among Christian people
"being fervent in your love among your
selves, and using hospitality" When
good people earnestly compete with the
saloon in offering hospitality on broad,
democratic basis, then the evil institu-
ton will be doomed. 1t thrives to-day
less on the base appetites of men than
on the human craving for comradeship,
good-fellowship.
Meanwhile let us be thankful that
more and more the drinking man Is
getting to be the man for whom the
world has no ROOM" that men who
drink are being forced out of employ
ment, because all railroads and great
and many private employ
ers who hire men for positions of re-
sponsibility and trust. will not risk
their money. their property, and human
lives as well, with men whose nerves are
unsteadied, whose eyes are bleared and
brains befogged by alcoholic drink. The
most effective of all temperance legisla-
ton is this rigid prohibition which is
rapidly becoming the law of our strenu-
GUS, modern business life.
PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS.
II one is armed with the mind of
Christ it will make but little difference
what men say about him.
If one is armed with the mind Of
Christ his heart will be filed with love
for the burdened.
II one is armed with the mind of