The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-06-27
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL.
INTERNATIONAL LESSON COMMENTS
FOR JULY |.

Subject: Jesus and the Children, Matt.
xviii. 1-14-Golden en- Text, Matt.xviii.,14
Memory Verses, 2, 3-Topic: Lessons
From "Child" Text.-Commentary.
I. A question asked ". y.
l. "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 a 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. I'm the kingdom Of heav-
en-" They still view the kingdom of
Christ as temporal one.
II. Lessons from little child Tvs.
2-5). .. 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.
8. verify" A word that denotes
the Importance Of what is to follow:
Except ye 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, teacbable,
obedient. "Ye shall not enter" They
not only could not be first, but they
could not enter. There is no way into
the kingdom Of grace only by the door
of humility. 4. "Whosoever." Ali
have equal privileges. Shall humble
himself" None but the lowly are in
the kingdom, and the lowliest in the
kingdom are the greatest. The same
is greatest" Selfshness 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
9:4S), but also to Christ's followers who
have a humble, childlike spirit. I'm
NV name" Out of love 20 Me and for
My sake. "Receiveth Me-" Jesus con-
siders Himself treated as we treat His
little ones.
III. Christ's teaching concerning Of
fenses Tvs. 6-9). 6. "Shall Offend
Whose shall cause one of My little
ones to stumble and fall into sin. 1T
were better" This shows the great
ness of the offense. "That milestone"
A very large stone. about his neck"
etc. Drowning in the sea was pun
ishment used among the ancients. Z.
Woe unto the world" Or, alas for
the world. Because of occasions OF
stumbling (R. W Because there are
so many temptations and stumbling
blocks put before men. 1T 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" (R. 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" (R. 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 q successful LIE
here by giving up profitable business
because of its worldly character, or by
giving up a pleasing and proftab Bile oc-
cupation because it cannot be followed
to the glory of God, and who accept
poverty and hardship, may he said 70
enter into life "halt or mairned," but
il is better to do this than to lose eter-
nal life. mt
9. Into the hell of fire" (R. W The
literal Gehenna was a valley to the
south of Jerusalem, former scene OF
Moloch worship, and later the place
where the refuse of the city was
burned with perpetual fires. This fire
is the symbol Of terrible torment, which
is awaiting the finally impenitent.
". Christs care for His little ones
Tvs. 1O.14. TO- "Despise not" AS
though they were beneath your notlce.
"Iittle 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 a pc
culiar charge over them. II. This
verse Is omitted from the Revised Yer,
sion. Eut if it does not belong here, it
certainly belongs elsewhere. for Jesus
came to save sinners. II. "One-
cone astray." This parable is given
more fully in Luke 1910. The lost
sheen is a type of one straying away
from the fold of Christ into sin. IL:
He reio;ceth more. That sheep was OF
no more value than the other sheep. IL
was its rescue" that caused the Joy,
Il. Even So" Our heavenly tathI
or has done all that He can do to BRING
il is not Jus