Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-01

THE OPENING WORDS.-The gospel
Of John makes no reference to the matter
contained in this lesson. Matthew and
Mark omit the. story of Zacchaeus. but
record in somewhat different form the story
Of Bartimaeus. 1t IL impossible for US to
account for these omissions. unless. as Is
quite probable. each author selected the
materials which were deemed by him best
suited to the purpose Of his book. It Will
be noticed by comparison that Matthew
refers to two blind men. while Mark and
Luke mention but one, difference In COM
position Of no Importance, II we conceive
that there were two and that only one at
tracted the particular attention Of two
writer's. Matthew and Mark say that Jesus
was going out Of Jericho and Luke says
He was going in when He met the blind
man. This disagreement has been account
ed for by the fact that the Greek verb
used by Luke denotes nearness to q place
as well as entrance into 1t.
THE BEGGAR MAN oversees 86. 30,
8O.-Blindness was very common In Pales-
tine in the time Of Jesus, and travellers In
form us that many cases are found there
today, 1t is accounted for by the influence
of the climate and the habits Of the people.
1t was supposed to be direct affection
from God John. ix:2). For this reason
the blind were Stunned, deprived OF the
ordinary privilege Of obtaining a. liveli-
hood. Hence, they were reduced to poverty
and to- beggary. Wandering about the
streets of cities sitting at the entrance of
the temple or of synagogues. lying pros
trate and helpless in some public place
Cohn,, v:3) or waiting by the wayside In
the country, they were always the objects
of pity Detected in spirit and clad in cast
off garments, they solicited help from those
who came near them. One of this class,
the son Of Timaeus mark, x:4O. sat beg
gtng outside the gate of Jericho. Hearing
the noise OF the multitude, he inquired and
- TI3E-EARNEST CRY. oversees SO and
39).-The fame Of the great physician had
spread far and wide. He had wrought SO
many cures of such startling character that
all who suffered with any physical ailment
turned to him for relief whenever opportu
nifty offered. Immediately on learning that
Jesus was coming, the heart of the blind
man was filled with hope. Without wait
ing for any permission, without even con-
sidering the matter of propriety, he cried
out, his voice being heard above the shouts
of the multitude, Jesus, thou son Of David,
have mercy on me- (Matt., ix:2O. This
same cry was raised on other occasions. It
vas a recognition of the name and Office
and power of our Lord, showing that al
ready there had gone abroad among the
masses some Just conception of him. Re-
buked for his outcry the man continued 1t
with all the more earnestness, as the only
hope he knew was in Christ.
THE RESTORED SIGHT oversees 40
40:-That cry entered the ears and heart
of Jesus. Moved with compassion for suf-
fering humanity mark, i:4D, He never
turned away from any who needed Him.
That was the explanation of His many acts
of kindness and His many deeds of power
isaiah, liii:4), as foretold Of Him. Hence,
when Bartimaeus cried Jesus stood still in
the highway and asked what was wanted.
They who attempted to silence the sup
plant were themselves silenced. and
straightway others in the throng encour-
aged the moor man Mark x.4N Informing
him that there was hope. Up to that point
the beggar had been seated. Casting aside
his outer garment he stood In the presence
of Jesus and answered his question. All
this form tested the mans faith and gave
those present opportunity to witness what
transpired. Go thy way, thy faith hath
made thee whole. was the gracious utter
ance of the Master. The work was done
Receiving his sight, Bartimaeus followed
his benefactor, clarifying God.
THE WEALTH SEEKER oversees l.
g 3.-Luke has the honor of bringing into
the gospel history the name of a man who
might otherwise have been wholly un-
known, a man who comes into contact with
Jesus for single day and then disappears
forever in the great mass. His name. FAC
chaeus. signified pure. justified. and ex-
when they applied it. He was a chief pub
lican, the head Of a company of tax gath
erers in Jericho. giving general supervision
over the collection Of the government reve-
nues. Out of his office he had acquired
riches. He was therefore man Of dis
tinction in the community, one to whom
people would naturally look in matters Of
public interest. But one thing more than
tice on the occasion of our Lords visit. He
was curious to see the great prophet whose
fame had filed the land. whose coming was
heralded by many voices.
THE SAVIOUR'S SUMMONS oversees
and 5.-Because of his stature Bac-