Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1905-05-06
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
LESSON COMMENTS
FOR MAY ?.
Subject The vine and the branches. John
Nv. f-te--Goid>n Text, John W., -
Memory Verses. s. S-CemmeBtsry on
the Days Lesson

Christ Tvs 1-5l. I. "T"-Iesus. The
true vine" The true vine Is Christ;
the living. abiding Christ. who repro
duces Himself in every true disciple. 4
The husbandman." The owner OF the 7
vineyard. the original planter. posses 1
sor and cultivator or the vine. The 4
Saviour speaks or Himself as the sub 4
jet OF His Fathers care and cuitiva- I
ton.
= Every branch I'm Ne" Many are I
supposed 20 be I'm the vine. according /
To- the opinions OF men. who have no 4
root In the vine. Baptized. processing. /
partially believing members may be
found in abundance. He taketh /
away" Removes. that the vine may
not be damaged I'm reputation. or the
world be imposed upon 10y empty pro-
fessors. "Beareth fruit" The fruit OF
the Spirit-love. JOY. peace. etc. (Gal.
DID. 81. All manner OF good works.
"Purgeth H." Cleanseth and pruucth.
stripping il. as the hushandman does.
OF whatever is rank and luxuriaut-a
process often painful. but no less nced-
ful and beneficial than i'm the natural
husbandry. More fruit" Every thing
is removed from the branch which
tends 90 divert the vital power from
the production OF fruit. Christ cleans
eth the soul The object OF an rcdcmp-
tive work lis in order that thc soul nay
bring forth more fruit
=. Vow SO are clean" Nc are un-
der this discipline OF pruning Jo~uS
comforts them With the assurance fhat
they are bearing fruit. though they
need further cleansing iu order thar
they may hrins forth more fruit.
Through the word" you are already
clcaused from past sin through you-
acceptance of and obedience Co Ms
word. The word az God .s tIc pruning
knife
3. Abide in Mc.r Hold fast faith
and a good conscience. let uO trials
turn YOU aside from the truth Nc
shall receive every help and influence
from Ne that your souls can require
I'm order 90 preserve them and save
them Co eternal iife. II 600 YOU" He
ahidcs in them as the source Of spirit
ual NE and fruifuincss. on condition
that they abide in Him by living.
ohedient faith. Christs power kuowi-
edge and love VIII nll the hearts ana
lives OF His people THE branch cane
not" etc. Il the branch should ue cut
OF an instant lt would become fruit
less. "No more can ye." We must De
partakers OF Ny divine nature. be wise
I'm Ny wisdom. powerful in Ny might
ana pure through Ny holiness. ..
Much fruit" The desired end ls se-
cured. Teach Christ. live Christ. abide
in Christ and fruit us sure Without
Ne" Separated from Me- Without
Christ we can d0 nothing that viii
please God.
H. The result of not abiding I'm
Christ e. GI g. "If man abide not
in Ne" Whatever man may Go to
mcrit salvation is worthless. Except
hc Dee Joined to Christ by abiding faith
and love- he is mo- more child of God
than the dead branch is part OF the
living Vine. "IS WithereI" Having
mo- heavenly unction. no spiritual life.
he cannot bring forth mature fruit
Though uo mortal can discern the dee
feet the husnanGman cam MEN gath-
or them" Through the judgments OF
God they are separated from the fruit-
bearing branches. Burned" Void az
spiritual nfe the soul destroyed
III. blessings that come from ahid-
ing I'm Christ lVs. z. -. e. Ell ye
abide" Keep in constant communion
with Him. lean always ON Him. make
Him the fountain of life and strength.
My words abide Words OF promise
doctrine. prccepr Keep Aly saving,
ana prcccpts. Ask what SO will
Because this iudweniug of His word.
in them would secure the harmony o.
their aSkugs with the divine will
such viii ask bon submission ODD III.
Will "Shau bee done" THE asking &.
unlimited because tle viii OF the he
lever Will Dee in harmony With the wl
and purpose and love OF Christ.
\. Herein" I'm the abundance of
the fruit. "Iathc, glorihed." 10 ls Gin,
honor OF God to have strong. vigorous
holy children. perfectly filled with Hn
. tiveS on earth. ana therefore the largei
ana more perfect their success ma saw
ing men from sin the more God is hon
Ored. 80 shall We be My disciples
IL would seem that bearing fruit IL
made here test of discipleShip
~. ChriStS commandment Tvs. 9-12l
1 .. LAS the Father" etc. Our Lor,
/ was conscious OF being the object o
the Fathers infinite love, here He as
b sertS that His love 10 His disciples cos
responds with the eternal Fathers low
10 Himself. abide We" lR. W b
settled and fully established in Christ
being fully persuaded that nothin
shall be able TO separate Us from Iii
{ love (See Rom. S.35-3g 10 If Y
r keep-ye shall abide" This Is tn
|. ! method and secret. the stimulus. ia
= proof OF abiding ia the love OF Chris
The obedience here described is IN
/. outcome of love. but the power is thu
gained 20 continue TO dwell In the a
vine love. 10 abide In the fun enjoy
lurmt OF It,,
II. MY Joy might remain" A
though within few hours Of the Gle
Jesus speaks of His Joy. Joyful.
, The JOY of the Lord filling the soul.
JOY SO deep thar no sorrow can diStur
It. such a condition OF soul cannot I
described, il must be experienced 60 Z