The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1908-12-30


Heaven. Acts lila.
We enter the study of the lessons
for the year 1909 with much interest
and the expectation of great profit
and enjoyment. We have come out
from the consideration of the Old Tes-
lament to the glorious study of the
New. What could be more pleasing
to study than lessons in the Acts and
to learn about how the gospel of Je-
sus was told to the people. We will
confess that if the international course
of lessons were left to US to decide.
nine months of the year would be de-
voted to consideration of the New,
and three to the Old. Of course the
great men having this matter in
charge know best and we will contin-
ue to digest the food given, but it is
ever under protest that we leave the
thrilling, inspiriting, soul satisfying
gospels and epistles to wander about
through the wilderness again with the
Children of Israel. or try to keep
track of the ups and downs of the
kings after the kingdom was divided
on the death of Solomon.
In studying the book of Acts one
feels as it he was learning about
something of which he was part or
could add to- When he read in the
history of our country about the work
of the founders of the republic like
Washington, Jefferson, Franklin.
John Adams. we feel as if they were
planning to create and uplift some
thing which we have with US to-day
and glow of patriotism comes, of
pride in what these men accomplished,
and from this desire to do some
thing ourselves to make the American
republic better and stronger. So feel
ing of this kind should. and do come.
to christian boys and girls. men and
women when they read of the words
of Jesus to the eleven disciples, when
He assembled into heaven, and of how
they began and pushed forward the
work. Jesus told them to go and
preach of His life, death and resur-
rection to every creature and said He
would be with them. Peter, James
and John in the lead at first, and soon
the great Paul sprang with vigor
to the work. and these have been fol-
lowed by others up to this day. and
now it is OUR TURN to join in line
and help spread the gospel This
work can be done right with the
neighbors iii your town as we'll as by
going to foreign countries. 1t is this
thought which inspires and gives
power to the efforts of the mission
aries and ministers and bible work
ers. Is it not glorious thought chat
you and l are in line with Paul
working for Jesus. and have the
benefit of Jesus promise. "Lo,
am with you Away. even unto the
end of the world" We hope none
will think this talk wandering
away from the lesson topic. 1t is
done to inspire interest in the les
sons to come which. treat of the work
of the early teachers of the gospel
and to arouse all to a feeling that
they too, are part of the grand
army working for the cause of Jesus
in the world.
In studying as to the ascension OF
Jesus one should read what is said ir
Matt. % :16 to the end of chapter,
Mark 1915 to theSend of chapter and
Luke "a 80 to end of the chapter.
Jesus took the disciples out with Hin
TO Mount Olivet and gave them the
commission to preach, and as they
were talking He was parted from
them and went upward out of thei,
sight. In the account in Acts of oul
lession two angels spoke to the dis
ciples assuring them that Jesus woulc
In like manner come to earth again
Here we have the absolute promise
of second coming of Jesus. The