Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-05

In their method. They rightly assumed thar
He did not propose to unfold mysteries in
the presence of men who cared nothing for
them (Matt. n:25). They understood that
private intimacy and personal contact, a.
wen as resultant affection between tho
teacher and the pupil are needed in order
10 prepare for the reception Of the higher
truths Psalms. xxv:ID. The little group
gathered In the home of Peter. requested.
Declare unto u.s. with the emphasis on
the pronoun An eager. select. retired class
ExPLAINING-It must have been
with much satisfaction John xvi:12) that
the Great Teacher explained His parable
Oversees 36-40). The sower and the enemy
represented the son OF man and the devil
two persons. the latter as truly as tho
former having real existence. the one
benevolent. the other malicious. The field
was the world which belonged to Christ
(Col. i:16), in which He had deposited tho
seed of righteousne ss, the truth spoken by
Him duke viii1D. which produces good
men (verse 3Sl. the children OF the kingdom.
Into this field the devil enters slyly ana
unseen. and deposits falsehoods Gen iii:4)
as the father and author of lies. whence
come children of wfckedness. The harvest
is the end of the world (Rev. xiy:l6,, soma
say the end of the age. the closing up OF
the parent order Of things. The reapers
are the angels. the messengers OF God.
those who behold this mixed condition on
the earth and wonder and walt until the
order shall go forth declaring the end.
those sfnless beings who minister now to
the righteous. but shall administer justice
to the wicked.
APPLYING-Ths Technology havia.,
been thus made plain. Jesus proeesuen
apply His teaching oversees 4t-n0. He
showed that the present mixed condition of
affairs in this world. the mingling OF tho
righteous and the wicked. will be brought
TO an end. A definite time has been fixed,
unknown to men Matt. XIV :36). styled the
end of the world, frequently mentioned r.
the Scripture. 1t will be ushered In by
phenomena of startling character. The
TtRlffiII on rhn has fang eA
patiently endured the presence of evil in
His Kingdom, will then change His attitude
OF mercy to one Of justice. By the In
strumentalfty of angels whom he will send
forth He Will gather out Of His kingdom
ell who offend. They will be doomed to
destruction. Shall call 1t fgurative
language. ,as many do. shall we hold ir
to be literal account of their fate? They
shall be cast into a furnace of fire. This
Is the statement of the meek and lowly
Jesus. However the words are understood.
the destiny is certain and awful Rev.
Xix:2o). After this fearful visitation shall
come better era. better world. Thu
righteous shall shine forth the sun.
Oan. xii:3) fulfilling the prediction of tho
prophet. The implication here is that tho
presence of the ungodly prevents the saints
from appearing in their true glory.
CONCLUSION-Our lesson suggests
some different questions. Whence comes
the evil that is In the world? Why is this
evil permitted to remain? How long viii
IL continue? These and other inquiries OF
thoughtful in all ages and lands. Many
volumes have been written in the attempt
to answer, but nothing satisfactory has
thus far appeared, and men are left to
speculate and wonder. There is as much
mystery here as in the realm of physical
science, probably no more. But the teach-
ing of Jesus sheds light the subject and
we do well TO remember what He has said,
The evil is here through the malignant
spirit. 1t remains only by permission for
the sake of the good. Some day. IN the
time of infinite wisdom. and By Divine fat
and power, 1t will be cast out. A bright
and glorious morning shall dawn upon a
world of righteousness isaiah Wild, when
they who live in the Lord shall be seen in
all their excellence (Rev :5) clad In white
robes. All hail, blessed dayi And what
need man do but choose the right and hate
the wrong, to stand In their lots and places
assured that what is now so mysterious
will be made plain. The world is under
government. The Ruler Is working out His
plans, and His name will be glorfied and
His wisdom displayed in the result (Rsv.
xix :1-Y.