Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1904-02-25
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR FEBRUARY 20.
Subject. Hearers and Doors OF the Word'
Matt. VIII, 21-29-Goiden Text, james
t., a.-Memory verscs, a4-aS-Com-
meutarv on the Days Lesson.

L., a:-Memory Verses, @4-aS-Com'
mentary on the Days Lesson.
T. Mere profession not sufficient Tvs; 81
23). 81. mot every one" Christ IS mere
laying down the true test OF admlttaneeee
them that they must enter in through q
narrow gate and walk narrow way, ana
now He intimates that many will seek to
Gain admittance on the ground OF mere
profession. "That saith-Lord, Lord"
True religion is more than profession:
We may acknowledge the authority OF
Christ, believe in His divinity ana a .,t
the love of God in the heart we will be.
shut out of the kingdom. Kingdom OF
heaven" Defined by Paul as being right.
Ghost" rom. ID: ID. 1t has reference to
that spiritual kingdom which Christ sets
up in the hearts of His followers. 1t ls
true religion. But why called kingdom:
the gospel. ,. Its subjects1rall who be be.
ieve in Jesus Christ. 8. Its King-the
doetb )" Christ's followers are "doers of
the word and not hearers only (James /:
22). See Rev. Do IA. "The. will" etc.
That is, the one enters into the kingdom
who obeys the gospel and Keeps the the com com
mandmentS OF you. ~ 10 Lie w." -
our sanctifcation, and that, we should
pray always. 1t is our duty to follow, Its
nrecepts fully. my Father" Christ does
not refer to God as stern judge ready to
condemn. but as loving father who, 10
ready to bless and help His children. 1hls
was truth hitherto unknown,
-. Many" Not merely an occasional
large in that day" The Judgment day.
The day when the final accounts shall be
brought in, and when each shall receive
his lust desert. See Acts II: 81; Rom. IA:
10: . Cor. 5: 10. "Prophesied." AS the
whole gospel is a real prophecy, foretelllnng
the vast future of the human race-death,
Judgment and eternity, so every preacher
is a prophet. Here, then, are preachers
who plead their ministry in VAN IN that
day. See Paurs definition in ! Cor. Ia: 8.
Cast out devils" Through their preach
ing souls had been converted and devils
had actually been cast out OF mem hearts,
Wonderful works There have been
great revivals of religion and great manlies.
tations of divine power. me truth mas
been preached and God has blessed IT. .,
% Il never knew you. How SAD!
From tins we see how easy it is to, be, de.
ceived. Many trusting in the church, their
good name, their generosity, their great
pifts, their employment i'll the ministry,
their self-sacritce, their devotion to the
cause. etc, etc. while at heart they are
not right with God and at the last great
Cay will be, cas-, to the LETT hand Ia Ds'
part" Such belong at the lett hand
From Me" What could be worse than
Punishment from God:
II. Inc wise builder Tvs. "a, e5). "a.
Therefore" Jesus now proceeds to I'M
press the truth by the use OF very strlki..
,ng illustration. "Whosoever heareth,'
See K. v Both classes of men hear the
word So far they are alike. The two
houses have externally the same appear
ancc, but the great day OF trial shows the
difference. will hken him st. Mat.
thew, who living near the lake had often
witnessed such sudden floods as are de-
scribcd, uses vigorous language and draws
The picture wildly. Palestine was to a
siderable extent a land OF hills and mount.
ans "A wise man" The truly wise man
pays attention to spiritual and eternal
understanding who looks ahead and sees
the danger and makes use of the best
means in avoiding it. The wise builder Is
the one who hears and obeyS the words OF
Christ. Built his house. His character;
his souls interests. Each man possesses a
house which Is his absolutely, and Tor
which he alone Is Responsible. Upon a
| rock" Our rock Is Jesus Christ (PSa. us:
-; lsa 2S: 10 ! Cor. 3: ~. lie ~ the
sure foundation. As we centre our ialth
in Him. and build according TO the may
ms watch He has laid down, we will he
safe -. The rain-beat.' SO tempeSts
and storms oil Affections, prosecutions.
temptations and all sorts OF trials beat
against the soul Suddenly, when We think
we are safe, the calamity comes upon US
| How important in that hour to be pos
sesscd Of something the tempest cannot
destroy 1t fell not" The religion OF
Jesus Christ III the soul will stand every
| test. The emblem OF n house TO represent
| he religious HE Is specially appropriate
| J. \ house Is Tor rest. >. a house Is Tor
| shelter 3. \ house Is 1or comfort In
! hike manner true religion Is he rest, pro
lection and comfort OF the soul.
Ill The foolish builder Tvs %, ~. IS
"Doeth them not" Tho foolish man IS
one who tails to do what he knows he
ought to do He hears, but Is dsobedient
The sand" The foundation Is the prln
| cipal thing. The house on the rock stood
bat the structure on the sand was soon
undermined The one who SAYS, Lord
! Lord, but whose heart Is not right, Is on
ncr The floods are wearing away hs
sandy foundation. and sooa one ,tremen
| dous storm shall beat upon him and he and
| his hopes shall forever tall. Perhaps ne
has heard the words OF Christ from child
| hood, and he may even have taught them
10 others and yet he has failed to lay
sold foundation for himself. Notice two
| points OF difference between the wise and
| he foolish l. The wise builder has re
gard Tor the future; the foolish builder
thinks only of the present. ,. The WISE
looks 90 the solidity and durability Of his
structure rather than to the appearance
the foolish cares for the appearance only
Great was the fall How great Is the
loss OF the soul! What a terrlb! e fall tor
I 4 ,,,,., ? lN.,.l ~ ~