Evening journal., 1906-08-11
CHRISTIAN ENDEAVOR STUDY

| NatNt1 hftiu A-thR G4stO - VI
The Christian Endeavor Topic. BY Rev.
Benjamin A. Bryan.
Topic for Sunday August r. christs
Life. VIII My favorite parable. and how
1T helps me Matt. ls. io-l7i Ps iis. si-ios
Daily Readings.
Saturday. August II. The Prodigal Son.
Luke Is; 1l-22
Sunday August r. Topic.
Parable-Dsfnition.
A parable is that relation m which
something else Is prehgured. II is a fable
or an allegorical instruction. founded on
a reality in nature or history, or on some-
thing apparently SO and from which Is
drawn a moral by it's comparison with
something IN which the people are more
directly concerned. In the early ages
speaking in parallels was universal
i, lmode throughout all the eastern nations
by which was conveyed the sacred truths
which were surrounded with mystery.
Purpose Of Parallels
The parable Is designed 20 reveal the
mysteries Of God 20 those who do not un-
ders,and them When Jesus sat by the
sea side ana the great multitude gathered
land stood on the shore. Jesus went into a
ship and spoke many things unto them
IN parallels; and. when no did. and the
disciples wanted to know why Ho dld,
He replied, Because II is given unto you
Ito know tho mysteries OF the kingdom
Of heaven. but to them It is not giveu.r
Z Matt 1871.
, Benefit Of PARALLELS
Krummacher relates story as 20 how
the wise Nathan learned the benefit OF
lpaables. lie had endeavored TO instruct
I men by adoming himself IN coarse gar
ments and by using harsh words. but this
z drove men from him. and he was let.
alone. After he had spent a miserable
I night he was led by tho Holy Spirit to
r. a pomcgranate-tree. which was bearing
flowers and fruit at che same time. As
e he beheld the beauty Of tho tree he saw
. the fruit concealed among the leaves
Then the word OF the Lord came from
4 he pomegranate-tree. saying. Behold,
= Nathan. thus Nature promises the de-
;. iicious fruit by che simple flower, and OF.
= fers Il from the shade Of the leaves con-
cealing her hand" Nathan was then
cheered and from that time hence he
! Taught through parallels. and won many
{ precious souls to Christ.
Parsbles-Their Chief Meaning
In the gospel according TO Matthew,
We have the wheat ana the tares. the
lgood and evil life. the church and the
Judgment, the hidden treasure. the ex-
lpiicit value on the Gospel Of Christ the
u lgoodly pearl, the account Of the one who
u accepts salvation. the draw-net, and ,he
fact given that the church membership %
not all useful. the householders. the alb
lsolute necessity of constant watchfulness.
Matt. l3.
d In the Gospel according TO st. Luke WI
II have the two debtors gratitude. shown
.s lin proportion TO the sins forgiven; the
o good samaritan, serving even an enemy
:. with love; earnestness in prayer; the rich
II fool; the consequence Of worldly minded
IL ness; servants watching; the necessity 81
= lever living eady to die: the wise steward
the fact that we anvexpested TO be aru,
Iv to the trust God puts in us; the barror
I. Ing tree; the ruinous consequence unless
y we become fruitful; the account OF IN
~ great super; christs call 20 disciple
ID ship, the building Of the tower, and III
king going 10 war; the doctrine that w
ne must use prudence ana self denial In on
ne der 20 gain the proper ends; the accoun
NJ Of the price OF money; the rejoicing iI
IN salvation; the lost son; Gods love towaF.
IT, the returned sinner; the unjust steward
'e just punishment for tho unfaithfui. an.
p the proper reward for the faithful. IN
ie rich man and Lazarus; the hopeless con
= sequence in the future for the unprepared
the rest for the afflicted; the account o
;. the useless servants. and Gods elaln
upon our service and qualifications: tn
= unjust judge; the effectiveness OF perse
vering prayer; the Pharisee and the tax
,v collector; description Of the selfrighteous
20 and the humble spirit. servants entruste.
IN with money; reward is offered for dni
n gent service and punishment inflicted 70
at slothfulnoss. st. Luke :; to 10: 4s.
~ We find, also On Matthew and Luke tn
account Of the two houses; one built @
he the rock the other on tho sand. The form
H. er teaches Of the life which is firmly e.
le tablished upon Christ. and the other d
re the weakling. II q life be built on trut
It will stand; II on failacy it must fal
We are also taught concerning tho leavei
a Christianaity is the ioaven that is do
stined TO spread over the world. The pan
80 able Of the lost sheep teaches us that
a. is required Of us 20 search for the los
,e and when II is found to rejoice.
a In Matthew, Mark and Luke. chapter
ne IN rotation. they teach as follows. Cor
4e cerning the candle under the bushel; N
on necessity OF not hiding the truth; nel
en- cloth on old garments; Christs doctriu
Id concerning old preiudicos; the mustar
ct seed, and the growing power Of ahe Gosp
Ir. Of Christ. the wicked husbandmen an
at the rejection OF Jesus. by the Jews; IN
or fig tree, and the signs concerning IN
ay second coming OF Christ.
y, Some Notes Incorporated
Id The parable OF the "sower" teaches this
gf In proportion as people understand an
r. live IN that proportion they win be "fru
ne bearing" II an individual does not wi
souls can he be said TO have reached III
d. meaning OF this PARALLEL
ed The cares Of life its vain ambitions an
g the delusiyeness Of riches are the strong
TO est forces destroying usefulness in IN