Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-03-08
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THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
..r. FOR MARCH u. r..

Subject. The Tongue and the Temper.
Matt. w., 33.4s-Golden Text, Psa.
cxli., Memory Verses, a., 45-Topic:
A Study OF the New LIFE
I. Christs teaching on oaths Tvs. 49,
81. The Saviour has been showing
and now continues to show 1.-The rela-
lions in which His gospel stands to the
previous dispensation, as being the full
filment and confirmation Of true Juda-
Ism and the reformation of degenerate
Judaism" 80. Hath been said" BY
the Jews when they received the law
and in their interpretations Of 1t. "For-
swear" To swear falsely; to perjure.
''But shalt perform" We know from
Matt. 23:1G-22 that the scribes and
Pharisees declared oaths to be binding
or not binding, according to the sup
poscd sanctity of the object sworn by.
"Unto the Lord" The teaching was
that only such oaths as Were made
unto the Lord" or in the name o. the
Lord were sacred and needed to be
kept. "Oatlrs." An oath is solemn
affirmation or declaration. 81. But
say" The emphasis here is on the H."
"Swear not at ALL" Profnne and COM
mon swearing, with all light, irrever-
ent Oaths, such rs are not required by
the civil magistrate, are intended III
our Lords prohibition. "Nelther by
heaven" None of the oaths which our
Lord adduces as specimens are judi
cial oaths. Goods throne" Swear
ing by heaven either has no meaning or
derives it's meaning from the fact that
heaven is the residence. the court, the
throne of Cod"
35. 1.-THE EARTH" etc. See lisa. 6G:1;
Pisa. 1872.
SO. by thy head" A common form
Of oath in the ancient world. 81 yea
nay" Let your statements be in ac-
cordance with facts; let your language
be simple, and let your answers be Yes
or No. "Cometh OF evil" All swear
ing, genteel or otherwise, comes of
evil"
III. On the law of retaliation Tvs. 49,
42).
80. eye for an eye" AS legal
remedy the law Of retaliation was prob
ably the best possible In rude state Of
society. 80. But l say" Christ in
PRODUCES a different method Of dealing
with an assailant. "Resist not evil"
Resist not him that is evil" "Turn-
the other" 1t Is the preparedness af-
ter one indignity, not TO invite, but to
submit meckly to another, without re-
tallation, which this strong language Is
meant to convey.
40. "Coat-cloak." The coat was the
inner garment. the cloak was the outer
and more costly one.
Al. Compel thee" etc. Officers and
courlers in the service of the Roman
Government travelling through the
provinces had authority to Impress any
man or his beast into service for the
purpose of carrying them ana their
baggage on their journey. AZ. "Glve
turn not thou away" mis- cannot
mean that an industrious man Is to give
ut the call of every idler, but 1t does
mean that we are to be large-hearted.
generous, ready to help others and
grant favors. We are here eShOrted to
| patience and forgiveness, ]. When we
| receive in our persons all sorts Of in
suits and affronts ". 39). 2. When
we are despoiled of our goods ". 40,.
8. When our bodies are forced to TN
dergo all kinds of tolls. vexations and
tormpnts ". Al. He that avenges him
sell: must lose the mind Of Christ and
he can ever receive from man.
| Ill. On loving enemies Tvs. 3-4S).
49, Love thy neighbor." The rabbis
| interpreted the command, Thou shalt
love thy ncighbor as myself" In Lev.
| 1918, as referring to Jews only. They
therefore believed it to be right TO hate
| the rest of mankind. Al. But say"
Jesus opposed this narrow. wicked
view of the case and Extended our
neighborhood over all mankind" See
Luke 1O:25-37 Love your enemies"
| (Rom. 500. 1t has been said that this
one precept is n sufficient proof of the
holiness of the gospel on those who call
| down upon you Gods curses THE
best commentary OH these mGtchless
counsels is the bright example Of the
One who gave them. See Pet. 2:21-
"a; Rom. 1920, 81; Cor. 4:12; Pet.
80"
Is. MAY be the children" etc. To
net as Christ commands here would be
to act like God, who blcsses those who
curse Him and are His enemies by the
| gifts of sun and rain. This Is divine.
'Sun to rise" etc. He imparts to all
alike, but oil do not receive alike.
&c. What reward" If you have
only loved those who love you. YOU
have only come up to the standard OF
common sinners "Publcans." Tax
gatherers employed by the Romans
and hated by the Jews.
At. Brethren only" The promin-
ence of salutation in The social life Of
the East gives special vividpess to
this precept. To utter the formal.
"Peace be with you" to follow that up
with manifold compliments and wishes
was to recognize those whom men ga
luted as friends and brothers. But
this the very heather did c'heathen,"
rather than "pubMcans." being the true
reading; and were the followers Of
Christ to be content with merely copy
ing heather customs? Christians must
do to their enemies what the heather
did to their friends. "What do We
more than others" !. Disciples have
to do more than others. o. They main
tain the Christian life; (2) they extend
the cause of Christ. 2. They are able
to do more than others. a. They are
in alliance with God; (2) they have
more moral power. g. More Is expect
ed of them than Of others. O By their
Saviour; (2) by the world; (3) by their
own consciences. 4S. "Be-perfect."
Complete; perfect in love. Take God
ms fine model instead of publicans.