Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1906-06-28

-Memory Verses, 2, 3-Topic: Lessons
From q "Ohild" Text-Commentary.
I. A question asked ". u.
/. "At the same time" After Peter
had returned from paying the tribute.
Game the disciples" BY combining
the three accounts we learn that the
disciples had discussed the question as
to who should be the greatest, and
that Jesus, knowing their ambitions,
had opened the subject by asking them
about the dispute they had among
themselves by the way. At first the
disciples, thoroughly ashamed, were
silent, but little later they came and
submitted the question to Him. "Who
Is the greatest?" Such Is blind human
nature; always desiring to be made
prominent. "In the kingdom of heav.
en-" They still view the kingdom of
Christ as temporal one.
II. Lessons from little child Tvs.
2-5). 2. "Called little child" Jesus
purposes to teach them by means OF an
object lesson. He corrects their false
ideas about greatness. The little child
was their teacher.
3. "Verily" A word that denotes
the importance of what is to follow.
Except We be converted" The word
here rendered "be converted" means
turn about so as to face In the other
direction" 1t always signifies a radi.
cal and complete change. "And become
as little children" Humble, teachable,
obedient. aye shall not enter" They
not only could hot be f1rst but they
could not enter. There is no way into
ID, 20 c,,Iu 1,v fhn l0Dr
of humility. 4. "Whosoever." All
have equal privileges. "Shall humble
himself" None but the lOwly are In
the kingdom, and the lowliest in the
kingdom are the greatest. "Thc same
is greatest" Selhshness is the root OF
all sin. True humility is the surest
mark of true greatness.
5. "Whoso shall receive" That is,
shall show kindness to. shall help and
care for. zone such little child" This
refers not only to actual children duke
0:4S), but also to Chrst's followers who
have a humble, childlike spirit. "In
My name" Out of love % Me and for
My sake. "Receiveth Me-" Jesus con-
slders Himself treated as we treat His
little ones.
III. Christ's teaching concerning of.
fcnses Tvs. go. 9. Shall offend"
Whose shall cause one of My little
ones to stumble and fall into sin. ut
were better" This shows the great.
ness of the offensc. THAT milestone"
A very large stone. about his neck"
etc. Drowning in the sea was pun.
ishment used among the ancients. T.
"Woe unto the world" Or, alas for
the world. because of occasions of
stumbling" Or. W Because there are
so many temptations and stumbling
blocks put before men. ut must needs
be-" In this world, that is so full OF
sin and wickedness, those who serve
Christ will be tempted. "Woe to that
man through whom the occasion com.
eth" Or. W Woe to the man who Is
guilty of the awful crime Of leading
others into sin. Each man is personally
responsible for his own actions. 3.
IF thy hand-foOt causeth thee to
stumble Or. W If objects as dear to
thee as these most valuable and pre-.
cious members of the body cause thee
to stumble and to fall into sin. "Cut
them off," etc. The pleasing thing II
hurtful, must be given up and re-
nounced "Into life halt" The only
one who renOunces a successful life
here by giving up n profitable business
because of its worldly character or by
giving up a pleasing and profitable oc-
cupation because 1t cannot be followed
to tho glory of God, and who accept
poverty and hardship, may be said to
enter into life halt or MANNED" but
it Is better to do this than to lose eter.
nal life.
O. Unto the hell of fire" Or. W The
literal Gehenna was valley to the
south of Jerusalem, Il former scene OF
Moloch worship, and later the place
where the refuse of the city was
burned with perpetual fires. This ire
Is the symbol of terrible torment, which
is awaiting the finally impenitent
w. Christ's care for His little ones
Tvs. 1O-1H. 10. "DeSpise not" AS
though they were beneath your notice.
Little ones" Children; therefore the
weakest and most lowly of those who
believe in Christ. "In heaven their an.
gels" The angels in heaven, who be-
hold the face of the Father have Il pc.
culiar charge over them. IL. This
verse is omitted from the Revised Yer.
sion, but If it does not belong here, 1t
certainly belongs elsewhere. for Jesus
came to save sinners. -. One
gone astray." This parable is given
more fully in Luke 1910. The lost
sheep is type of one straying away
from the fold of Christ into sin. IL.
lie rejoiceth more. That sheep was of
no more value than the other sheep. 1t
was it's "rcscue" that caused the JOY.
IL. Even So" Our heavenly Faith
or has done all that He can do to bring
all men to repentance; 1t Is not Lis
will that any should perish.