Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-23
Sunday School Lesson for January "a Discussed
by Rev. J. E. Gilbert, D. D., Secretary
American Society of Religious Education.
THE LAME MAN HEALED. Acts. III Lie.

BPGGIEG.-Poverty, the result o.
misfortune. incidence. vice or CRIME may
be found in all lands. From time imme
mortal it's most distressing forms nave
appeared in the erienta! world Inc
American traveller on visiting those
distant parts is surprised at the NUMBER
Of the abject poor. They tnrong Tue
streets, gather in public places or wait
at the gate OF the rich duke, Xvi;No 10
make their appeals for aims Begging
becomes a trade. followed by hopeless
thousands, who beget children and De-
oueath to them a state OF wretchedness
Most depIorab BILE is the fact that in those
countries the system of government, the
structure of society. the wages and max
inns of industrial life not only recognize
but foster class distinctions. prosper and
degrade others. Our lesson today shows
that the apostles were brought face TO
f,ce with This rerp,exing problem. Ii
occurred at the hour Of evening prayer
psalm, lv:1O as Peter and John went
into the temple. At the gate called Beau
tiful they found a man lame from MS
birth, who lifted his hands for heip.
GIVING.-In the presence OF eX-
treme want charity grew into an exalted
virtue. The rich boasted of their gifts
tn the poor Matt. vi:D. What VIII these
men of God do Recently, with their as
sociates, they were under a special en-
duenent of the Holy Spirit, ana 'heS ar
now the known representatives OF the
Christ For these reasons their ACTON
will be significant. Will they empty their
pockets of the loose coin, thereby as
charging their obligation. and proceed
thinking no more of the unfortunate
stranger? Will they speak coldly to the
man, bidding him to go to his lrienos
(John, iii:1O? They paused and looked
steadfastly on the beggar. contemplating
his condition no doubt with sympathy.
A kindly look helps the poor Look Oh ,a
u.s." they exclaim, desiring the cripple 10
consider them as humble men with limit,
ed fortune That return look Would
awaken new thoughts and feelings in one
who had long been without friends AFTER
this exchange Of personal recosnition:
he had neither silver nor gold. but onered
what he had-the power to heal. Ana
yet not his power, but the power Oh
Jesus. -,
LIFTING;-TAe apostle .a,tIs h did % done
that. He reached forth his hand ana
took the right hand Of the helpless one.
Thereby he came into direct bodily CON
tact That hand-grasp may not nate
been necessary. except to INSPIRE laltu'
an exercise of the mind at that time Az
solutely essential. 1t was in this way tnat
Jesus came to the needy Matt ix::o).
And il is this hand-to-hand encounter
with the Borrowing world that the gospei
offers, as well as a message OF truth 10
the mind. Peters hand was the 1nstru-
ment by which divine power could come
to execute Peters command. Immediately
the feet and ankle bones received strength
TO support the body. The man stood LOT
the first time in his life. He leaped'
showing that the strength was not mag
mary. but real: not temporary, put per-
manent. He walked-he was whole man
restored to the company of whole men;
His disability was gone. He experienced
the thrill of JOY which comes to one VINO.
always dependent upon others, now moves
at liberty. .
PRAISING.-The good deed done 10
tho lame man was not limited to his
body. Had it been, there might nave
been some quibbling as TO MS nature
value and motive. Remarkable cures
have been wrought in all countries by
mysterious processes. The so-called faith
cures have been attested. exceeding the
skill of medical men. But a mental or
sniritual state was induced, which sets
this case apart as something outside the
range of mere marvels. and puts 1t within
the realm of direct divine working. The
healed man joined himself to the apos-
Ties and entered with them into the
temple. That he might have done as a
pious Jew. for even paupers were not
deficient in devotional spirit Nuke.
xyitoo, But he went IN, not merely to
worship after the usual form, but with