The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1906-03-06
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR MARcH n.

Subject: The Tongue and the. Temper,
Matt. ", 80. Ae--GoIden Text Psa-
cxli., 3--HIeunory Verses, A, 4S-Topies
A Study Of the New Life.
I. Christ's teaching on oaths Tvs. 3d.
81. The Saviour has been showing
and now continues to show 1.-THE rela-
4 tions in which His gospel stands to the
| previous dispensation as being the full
tilment and confirmation of true Juda-
ism and the reformation of degenerate
! Judaism 33. Hath been said" BY
the Jews when they received the law
and in their interpretations Of it. "For4
swear" To swear falsely; to perjures
But shalt perform. We know from
Matt 23:16-22 that the scribes and
Pharisees declared oaths to be binding
! or not binding, according to the sup
posed 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 of the
Lord were sacred and needed to be
kept "OathS." An oath Is b solemn
affirmation or declaration 81. but
say The emphasis here is ON the Il =
Swear not at aIl.v Pr0fane and com-
mon swearing, with all light, irrever-
ent oaths, such as are not required by
the civil magistrate, are intended in
our Lords prohibition. "Neithe% by
heaven" None of the oaths which our
Lord adduces as specimens are judi
cial 0athS. Goods throne" Swear
ing by heaven either has no meaning or
derives its meaning from the fact that
| heaven is the residence, the court, the
/ throne of God'
50. "The EARTH" etc. See lisa. 66:1s
Pisa. 1872.
SO. by thy head" common form
of oath in the ancient world. 81. Yea
nay" Let your statements be in ac-
cordance with facts; let your languages
be simple, and let your answers be Yes
or No. "Cometh of evil All swear
ing. genteel or otherwise, comes of
evil.'
II. On the law of retaliation Tvs. Ss-
42).
SO. Eye for an eye" AS a Legal
remedy the law of retaliation was prob.
ably the best possible in a rude state of
society. SO. But | say" Christ in
PRODUCES a different method of dealing
with an assailant. Resist not evil.1
Resist not him that is evil" "Turn
the other" 1t is the preparedness af-.
ter one indignity, not to invite, but to.
submit meekly to another without re-
taliation, 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
couriers in the service of the Roman
Government travelling through the,
provinces had authority to impress anyi
man or his beast into service for the,
purpose of carrying them and their
baggage on their journey. a.. Give
turn not thou away" 1nis cannot
mean that an industrious man is to give
at the call of every idler, but it does
mean that we are to be hearted
generous, ready to help others andl
grant favors. We are here exhorted tot
patience and forgiveness, 1. When we
receive in our persons all sorts of I'M
suits and affronts ". 39). 2 When
we are despoiled of our goods ". 40)-
3. When our bodies are forced to un-
dergo all kinds of tolls, vexations and
torments ". 41). He that avengeS him.
sell must lose the mind of Christ and
thus suffer an injury far greater than
he can ever receive from man.
III. On loving enemies Tvs. 43-48).l
49, Love thy neighbor.v The rabbisI
interpreted the command, Thou shaItI
love thy neighbor as myself" in Lew
1913 as referring to Jews only. They
therefore believed it to be right to hatel
the rest of mankind. A.. but / say
Jesus opposed this narrow, wicked
view of the case and extended our
neighborhood over all mankind" SeeI
Luke 1O:25-37. Love your enemies. =
(Rom. 5:5). 1t has been said that thisI
one precept is sufficient proof Of thel
holiness of the gospel ON those who call
down upon you Gods curses. "Thet
best commentary ON these matchlessl
counsels is the bright example of thei
One who gave them. See Pet. 2:21-l
"a; Rom. 1920, 81; Cor. 4:12; / Pet.
SOL
a. MAY be the children etc. Tol
act as Christ commands here would bel
to act like God, who blesses those whol
curse Him and are His enemies by theI
gifts Of sun and rain. This is divine.
"Sun to rise" etc. He imparts to all
alike, but all do not receive alike.
49, What reward" II you have
only loved those who love you, you
have only come up to the standard OF
common sinners. "Publicans." Taxi
gatherers employed by the Romans!
and hated by the Jews.
AZ. BreLlren only. Inc prOmln-l
ence of xaiutation in the social life OF.
the East gives a special vividness 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 sa-
luted as friends and brothers. But
this the very heather did (''heathen,s =.
rather than ''publicans." 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 ye
more than Others" 1. Disciples have
to do more than others. % They mains
tain the Christian life ~ they extend
the cause Of Christ. 2. They are able
to do more than others. a. They are
in alliance with God; % the.- have
more moral power. g. More is expect
ed of them than of others (I BY their
Saviour; (2) by the world (3) by their
own consciences. 49, "Be perfect
Complete; perfect in love. Take God
as the model instead of pubIicans.
u