The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-23
MferndfionaL Sunday School
 Lesson
Feurth Quarter Lessen VIII. Rsnaas |

Fourth Quarter Lesson VIII. Romans xiv, 12-1a, Nevember 24, 1e0y. WORLDS TEMPERANCE SUNDAY.
 The very position of the Epistle to the Romans in the New Testament canon is significant The first name | tion is that of Rome, A church bent on universal conquest must needs cap. l ture that throne of power. The special ! object of the letter is to strengthen | the Christian congregation already Tn existence there. This ts done by for lending against seditfon. recttfyins existing evils. and comforting In View of impending tribulation.
 But there is larger purpose in the epistle. What Paul said to Rome he l said to the world. for the world was centered there. ConseQuently it Is most catholic of epistles. It has been called a universal popular representa- tion of the necessity. glory. and excei- ience of the Christian methodsof saiva- of genuine Christian feeling and con
 Az In . mirror. in the Epistie to the Romans we see a faithful reflection of one Apostolic church. The sight is somewhat disappointing. Where Is the unity of the spirit and the bond of peace? The church Is rent Into fac- Tl0n8.et Ig8 COnbtESo AA tt4A ---~s'ASAAAs taught from childhood to consider the injunctions and prohibitions of the ceremonial law as of Divine origin and authority, deem them stili oblfgatory. They observe them with an intense ncrupuIosity. They look upon those who do not obey them as no Christians at all. They are inevitably censoriou' and .predisposed to judge
 l On the other hand, the Gentle con lverts, never having been in bondage t l the ceremonial law. knowing nothing | of it's arbitrary distinctions as to days | weeks, etc. were inclined to resent anl 1 attempt to rivet the Mosaic ritual upoi | them, and to look with contempt upcl their brethren who wore these fetter' co compiacently.
 Doctrinally, the. purpose of the Epis tie to the Romans fs to show tha Christianity is the legitimate fruitag 1 of Judaism; that there is as httl room for strife between Chrtstianif' ana Judaism as between the fruit an the blossom. It is the blossoms des tiny to fade and falf that the fruit ma come to perfection. A fight Tor Jnda ism is a fight for blossom---fair an fraxrant. 1t is true, but . blossom stil Judaism is necessarily evanescent
 Practically, Paurs purpose In VII linz ea to outline for the church 2 Rome those principles and methods Q procedure winch will most surely con duce to peace and unity This io tn first, and as yet unsurpassed essay 2 IrenicaI Theology.
 might be called the liberal party IS the right. He enrolls himself with I xvf,en ha savs: eye, then. that AT l stron9.~ But he proceeds to give cei | tain maxinls adapted to immediate us'
 First as the tenets of the Judaie Christian faction relate to matters com parativeiy indifferent they are to ? received with cordial courtesy and fel | iowslip. Again, the censortous dispe l aition Is to be steadily repressed., Ther l Is only one Lord and Judge of the con | eeience. But if anybody is bent 0 judging. let him turn his judicial spir upon himself and see that he does nc grieve his brother by a selfish. hausht' and ostentatious use of the liberty conscience he enjoys It IS possiple | this way to cause the apostaey ox \ novice in religion. and thns undo tn work of God in His regeneration. I one believes himself free in these Tn different rnatters. let him keep tt { himsaIf. Parading his advanced cpfn ! ions may injure his brother. The us of liberty Is right, but there is . man ner of using 1t which brings condemna tion.
 AmaRysas and Key.
 i. Epistle to the Romans.
 EiEnifcance of Position. | object of Letter; Specific an General.
 2. Mirror of Apostolic Church.
 Disappointment.
 Factions, Jewish. Gentile.
 8. Reconciliation: Terms and Method
 The TeachSv's Lantern.
 This inspired and transparent causis try Is of perpetual application. Tn l question of days and meats whic caused such a fusilade of debate in tn Church at Rome. fs now q naatter c | antiquarian research. But each sue ceeding era in the Church has it's inter necine strife over matters intrinsicall indifferent. Once there was lively con tention. over broad brimmed hats. shad belly coats. dowerlegs polke-bonnet | and separate sittingg on cuRhfonIes seats. We smile at the memory. Bu the contest was very real one to tn l contestants. And spiritual life was al fected for veal or woe as these paulin principles held sway or not.
 We have contrafiety of opinion the Church today touching matter . that in themselves are comparativel unimportant. 1t will not do for us | say, especially to inquiring youn Christians. sYou must decide such mat ters for yourself" That is shirkin and unmanly. On the other hand, | will not do for the Church to answs questions of casuistry categorical, The Church is not the conscience of tn individual.
 what shall we do. then7 An appes to the Bible Is always wise and saf