The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-01-06

Lyon. of Denison
Jan. 10. The Descent of the Holy
Spirit, Acts 2:1-2l.
Our lesson for this week follows
closely on that of the last. The only
verses omitted relate to the choosing
of Matthias to take the place in the
ranks of the disciples of Judas, who
had killed himself. frenzied by re-
morse at the betrayal of Jesus his
Lord. 1t will be remembered that
Jesus told the disciples with Him at
the time of His ascension to remain at
Jerusalem until they had received
power from on high. The great Jew
ish feast called "Pentecost" had
come. feast which had been institut-
ed back in the days of Moses and
Joshua. and thess city of Jerusalem was
filled with Jewish pilgrims from all
quarters of the known earth That
day the disciples of Jesus we're with
one accord in one place. Then was
fulfilled the promise of the gift of the
Holy Spirit to them. There was a
rush as of mighty wind, flames uf
fire seemed to be on the disciples and
more wonderful yet. they were given
the power to speak in languages
which the people from different coun
tries could understand
These things made a great stir in
the city and the people came to where
the disciples were. Peter took the
occasion to make an address to the
crowd, and what he said makes up the
last verses of the bible portion as
signed for today. and the lesson for
the following Sunday. These dem
constructions of Ged's presence re-
mind one of the experience of Elijah
when he had his famous interview out
on the mountains. 1t will be re-
membered that in Kings 19:l1-12 it
is told how the wind rent the rocks.
and there was fire to be seen. but it
was said that God was not in these,
but in the ''still small voice"
which came later. So when consider.
ing the event of the Day of Pentecost
and the wonders connected with the
Holy Spirit, it was not the wind. or
the fire, or the gift of tongues. but
in the invisible change in the hearts,
the minds. the ambitions and entire
spiritual nature. of the ones receiving
it. 1t will be remembered that
Jesus when speaking as to this spirit
in John 3, said that one must have it
to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
and it came like the wind. one knew
not where from, but its effects could
be seen and understood. In John Ia
Jesus tells of the gift of the spirit
which should come after His departure
from the earth.
What you and want is this Holy
Spirit in our lives and hearts. We
see how it changed Peter into 9
different man, making him consider.
ate. careful, gentle. when before he
had been rash, imooisive Dragging OF
his own strength G own up people
have seen the change witch has cons
Ilinou one who has heen led 10 turr
rom being y hater of Col and the
bible. to love these. u y have seer
naughty, natures become k nd gentle
submissive. all through the invisible
power oof something when the in.
dividual himself tells Us is the Spirit
of God entering the nature ard &C
complishing this remarkable change
The person knows that ne asked God
for this cleansing and that it came
1t is therefore no fancy but real
itv So the Lesson of this date
should teach US to strive and pray
for the indwelling of the Holy Spir
it in our hearts.