The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-05-05
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL,
Lesson W.-Secoad Quarter, For
.<...~ May 10, 1908.
The INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

XIV, Discriminatory Prepared by
Rev. D. M. Stearns.
Copyright, 1905, by American Press Association.
While definite portion of this great
discourse is assigned as our lesson for
the day. 1t Is evidently intended that
we should take specially the portions
OF the whole discourse which refer 10
the Holy Spirit, who is four times
called the Comforter. or Paraklete, one
ever ready to heed every call for help
and to be to the redeemed all that
Jesus was TOLLS disciples xiv, 10. 90;
XIV, 20; xvi, a. The same name Is
given to the Lord Jesus Himself In |
John II, l. where He Is called our Ad-
vocate. So we have an abiding Com.
forter, Helper. Friend. at the Fathers
right hand and another in us always.
From xiv. II, %. We learn that the Fa.
Their. Son and Holy Spirit are willing
to make their home In US and live in Us
the heavenly life which II Is so impos.
sible for us to live ourselves. They de.
sire TO possess us fully. The spirit
which He made to dwell In us yearn.
eth for us even unto jealous envy
(Jas. Nv, 8, II. v. NJ What He would
do in us and for us and through US, to
the glory of God. perhaps no one has
yet fully learned. He Is the Spirit Of
truth. and everything that has the least
faint Of deceit. net merely outwardly,
but in the inward parts. grieyes and
hinders Him. He Is the Holy Spirit,
and everything that Is unholy In
thought. word or deed is a hindrance
TO His filling US as He would like TO
and using US as He might. He is the
Great Teacher, guiding us into all
truth, testifying of Christ and show.
ing us things to come. When He fills
us We will never be occupied with our
selves. but with Him whom He de.
lights to honor. He Is also our Re.
membrancer, bringing to our minds. as
We need II, all that we have ever read
or heard OF the sufferings and the
glory Of the Lord Jesus. The world
seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him.
but they ought TO see Him In US
Israel vexed His Holy Spirit, and It is
possible for Us to resist or grieve or
quench Him lisa. kill, 10: Acts yii. 81;
Eph. II. 80: Thess Y. 19D. The one
only thing TO do is to so behold the
Lamb Of God that His love shall con-
strain US to be all that He wants us to
be, and then, opening our hearts wide
to the Holy Spirit. He will purify US
and work In US all the will Of God.
Then shall We learn the meaning of
abiding and of bearing the fruit for
which He has chosen and ordained US.
Then shall we know the meaning OF be-
ing hated by the world as lie was and
prosecuted (chapter XVI. He told the
disciples that they would be put out
OF the synagogue and even killed by
those who knew not the Father nor
Him. but that they must not be Of.
Tended. The seemingly strange thing
r. that those who would so I'll treat
them were most religious people and
protested friends Of God. When He
E14A n hNih w obtAA AltE DuHAANL AbblA
not being offended. II was evidently
because John was offended by what
seemed like neglect or Indifference on
the part Of Jesus. The words OF Mar.
tha and Mary also sound as II they
we're offended mt Him because He had
not come 70 them. What Is much the
spirit Of complaint among Christians
generally because lie does not do as
they think He might, but simply be-
ing offended ut Him?
Either self or Christ Is on the throne
Of our hearts. and It IL the enthrone
ment Of self that makes all the diff.
Guilty. lie had spoken Of going away.
kut none Of them asked Him whittier
lie was going. because they were
thinking more Of themselves than Of
Him. Imagine yourself saying 10 some
intimate friends that you are going
away for IN indefinite period. but that
Il viii undoubtedly be Of great benefit 10
you. and they at once begin 10 say how
lonely they will be and TO wonder what
they VIII ever do without you. You see
ct once the prominence Of self and their
interest rather than yours. n you can
also add that you are going on their
behalf and that II viii be greatly for
their gain 20 have you 20, they may
be quIetei as possibly the disciples
were (yerse y, because Of the benefit
20 self. Some one has defined conse.
Grafton as a persistent determination
never 20 please yourself, but where do
we see II? Is IL In Us by Ills gracef
Note The threcfold work % the Spirit
convincing Of sin. Of righteousness and
Of judgment The great sin, the sin Of
all sins, IL that OF not believing on or
receiving Jesus. for ''he that belleyeth
not r. condemned already" eff, 49,.
Conversion that does begin with a con.
viction Of sin Is not true conversion,
and TIE awfulness Of Sin r. but little
unprecedented. Until men see them.
selves as sinners they VIII be going
about 20 establish their own righteous.
ness and will not submit 90 God, but
once truly convinced Of sin and seeing
no hope IN their efforts they will turn
~ Him who has gone to the Father
and who r. the righteousness Of God
unto nil and upon lI who believe
usom. 81, 10, "a: I, ~. This world has
q ruler who blinds people 70 the light