Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-08-18
for SUNDAY Scbook,
STAR LESSON FOR AUGUST 1o.
SECRETARY OF AMERICAN INDICATION

BY Rev. J. E. Gilbert, DID,.

OPENING wORDS.-Truth may be
put up in two forms, in the abstract and
In the concrete. In the first form there
Is an effort by direct and simple utterance
to convey the thought; in the other by some
narrative it is intended to incarnate and
set forth great principles. Both are adj
missable on certain occasions. The first
may fail II the words chosen BY the speaker
are not ineligible to the nearer. The
other Is more life-like and hence more
pleasurable. provoking thought in the act
of Interpretation. Jesus was able to use
both methods. passing easily from one to
the other. In the lesson before us He
states certain matters abstractly. as funda-
mental and vital; and in two parallels,
widely distinguished by their persons and
colorings He reafflrms these statements and
applies them to real life. His one subject
throughout is prayer. and that Is taken as
appropriate rather than the biographical
topic published by the lesson committee.
ADVISED PRAYER Verse D.-The
wisdom and duty Of praying Is the first
thought here presented. Men. all men.
privilege, as method Of obtaining some
thing|it is. an obligation founded in the
very nature OF man. Having a spiritual
h Which ts IN every respect superior to
physical and earthly and enter into that
realm where they may hold communion
with the Infinite Spirit. This ought to be-
come habit =, There s, should be no time
omitted. They should always pray duke
XXI, S8. They should so cultivate the
spirit Of approach to God that while en-
gagged in the ordinary duties Of life they
should at the same time continue in prayer
(Eph. vi. 10. Moreover, this exercise is
offered as preventive Of encouragement.
Men need not faint, they will not faint
II they pray. for prayer supports the spirit
WIDOWS PRAYER Verse s.-This
first verse Is the test which Jesus ampli-
f1es and enforces in the remainder Of the
lesson. HIS first illustration pertains to the
requests or petitions made among men. The
case of distressed widow IL introduced
Among orientalists woman whose hus-
band had died was an object Of peculiar
bereaved Of its father Games i, 20 It was was
considered mark Of great wickedness If
any disregard the welfare Of the widow or
orphan (Acts. vi:D. Hence. our Savior
pictures a woman who had an adversary,
sired relief. Under those peculiar circum-
sta noes Of trial she approached a Judge, one
whose business 1t was to administer Justice
to all. and made her plea. saying, "Avenge
me; protect me against this wicked per-
son."
90 UNHEEDED PRAYER Oversees 2, d. 81.
There was every reason to expect that
the judge would attend to this woman's
cry. That was his business-he held Office
and received compensation for that pur-
pose. He ought to have felt the sentiments
OF pity toward the woman which were then
50 common among men-it would be.
shame to him not to regard such a pleader.
He ought to have felt Indignant that any
man would mfstreat a woman-he who
would be guilty Of such offense was UNI
worthy the nams Of man; He ought to
would be considered as highly praise
worthy by his fellow citizens. whose good
opinion he must have coveted. But the
story goes that he turned a deaf ear, be-
cause 'he feared not God. neither REGARDED
man" After awhile, however, utterly In
different to his official duty, he did act
He was prompted solely by the spirit of
selfshness, desiring not further to be an
noyed. e
ANSWERED PRAYER VERSES 6. Z,
SIT is supposed by some that this story
Of the unjust Judge illustrates the manner
namely. BY their persistence and impor.
tunity; that as the woman continued to
plead SO people ought to continue their
pleading with God Gen., xxxii:28). But
this ha b is misnterpretatOn The would
hard-hearted earthly magistrate finally
yields to the pleading Of woman in order
to avoid the discomfort Of her application.
how much more certainly will a good God
regard the cries Of His own people?" There
is here an intended contrast between the
seeking woman and the seeking elect, and
between heartless earthly Judge and
loving heavenly Father. The latter will
certainly answer and that speedily. Never
theless, Jesus adds, 50 doubtful are men,
80 little inclined to trust God, 1t is possible
that when He comes in His kingdom CMatt.
XIV. 30 emen will have no faith in prayer.
PHARISEE'S PRAYER Oversees q, 10,
II, 49, Another parable Is now intro
duced to present another aspect OF this
subject Of prayer. A Pharisee, the best type
Of the Jewish people (Acts. xxvi:5), went
up to the temple to pray. That was
very common practice. observed not only
at regular but at all hours Of the day.
It was public profession Of piety, con-