The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1906-02-28
Sunday-schoo1.
THE TONGUE AND THE TEMPER.


March IL, 1906 Matt. v 334s
GOLDEN TEXT
Keep the door of my lips.'-Psam cxli g.
DAILY HOME READINGS.
M-Matt. " 33-4S Th-James iii lis
T.-Matt vi lis Flames iv liz
W-Matt. vi. 1884 S.-Prov X 1925.
S-Luke vi. 1886.
With an exceedingly practical lesson one that APP
plies to all of us, and all of us at all times we still
have to keep clear before us the distinction between
the spirit and the letter of commands otherwise we
may the scribes did The Bible has to be in
terpreted other books with reference to grammati
cal constructions, figures of speech and context
Jesus in our present lesson, speaks with divine au.
thorlty, interpreting the law of Moses about swearing
how we should treat those who nure us; how beg.
gars and borrowers; how enemies and sums up
what is to be the aim of every Christian His inter
probation of the law, But say unto YOU swear
at ALL does that forbid judicial oaths? A solemn af-
rmation, as in the presence of God is not swearing
1T Is not taking the name of God in vain. The break
ing of such Affirmation is punishable by law as per-
jury.
Jesus tells us what not to by, heaven, earth
or hell because it is making light of the sacredness
OF God and of our dependence upon him. And SAYS
let your speech be yea for emphasis the yea re-
peated, and nay, nay, truthful selfcontroled men,
whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil" ''The
lie and the oath are twins" says Boardman. Obedi-
to the third commandments reverence for Gods
name, the manifestation of his character seem so
essential to refinement and beauty of speech, that
unbeevers urge such obedience upon their chill
dren. But who love God as our heavenly Father,
should be very jealous of his name and bring no re-
proach upon it by careless irreverence. can eye for
an eye" the principle for the punishment of of
fences coming before the civil court. The Pharsees
perverted this applying it to private wrongs and Us
ing it for private revenge. "But say unto you that
We resist not evil, forbidding retaliation and
venge, seeking the good of the evdoer "but whose
shall smite thee thy right cheek turn to him
the other also" not literally but in spirit Christ
did to the in the trial who struck him with a
rod He did not resist by force, ask for revenge;
but he did expostulate Christ tells us to be reason
able and yielding giving up than the other side
has right to ask-to do than is required of
1t is very pulling question at times to know
what is the Christian spirit in which to deal with
beggars and borrowers. But Christ gives plain
principle Respond freely and cheerfully to their
quest That is, have that spirit of generosity, and
then act with wisdom and common sense; but don't
fall into the mistake of feeling too strongly that your
things yours. They your Lords to advance
his interest with. Glove your enemies" taught
in the Old Testament. They had the command 'Thou
shalt love thy neighbor The Jewish teachers added
"and hate thine enemy') and neighbor meant then
now, all whom you reach. Then they had the
direct command eff thine enemy be hungry, give him
bread to eat" But Christ enforces his command,
Glove your enemies with the thrilling consideration
that by doing you will show by your likeness that
you children of your Father, which is in heaven
for that is the spirit he shows, making his to
rise the evil and the good"
He tells what is to be the aim of every Christian
BE we therefore perfect your Heavenly Father
is perfect command and promise. Having Chrst's
lite in us know that there will be time when
shall be like him-who is the image of his Father
God could give lower standard than perfection