Newark post., 1910-09-28
IN att. IS: I-I3)

(Matt. rs: I-I3)
Golden Text:-"Be ye therefore
eth at an hour when We think not"
Luke IL; 40.
The twenty-hith chapter OF Matthew
is oae of the most interesting OF the
whole story of the life OF Jesus, not
only for what it contains, but because
it is the record of his last teaching
before his death. Its last words are
the destiny of the wicked and the
righteous, and as his last public teach
ing are exceedingly solemn. Jesus
knew of what he talked, and he did
not hesitate to say everlasting pun
ishment' and life eternal
THE LESSON.
A Story OF Readiness and Unreadiness
vs.. /. The Ten Virgins their
camps; their evening journey to meet
the bridegroom coming on the we'd
ding evening This is part OF the dis
course in the last chapter. TO under
stand this parable read from any good
commentary the customs connected
In Abbott's Commentary on Matthew,
pages 26S-2oO, is an admirable de-
scription DR.. Abbott's first note de-
clares that this is parable OF the sec
Ond cOn.~g Of Christ. TO see clearly
all that is meant, read carefully chap
ters % and "a The eight woes pro-
nounced upon the Pharisees and the
doom of Jerusalem, with his discourse
out on the Mount OF Olives, make it
clear he had i'll mind the end Of the
age. The ten virgins therefore rep
resent the professed followers of
Christ in the world at the end OF the
age.
vs.. ?. Here is description OF the
character OF believers in Christ. There
have always been wise" and foolish
members of the Church of Christ Wis
dom and folly are characteristic OF life
in all callings and professions. There
is no wonder some Christian proies-
sors are foolish. Do not press the
parable, and say because the proper
ton here is five to five, therefore half
of the Christians Of the world are fail
ures. Jesus was not giving lesson in
arithmetic.
VS.. 3 Wherein the folly OF half
these wedding procession walters lay
is at once given. They were out for
what might prove an all-nght vigil,
and the lamps would need complete
filling with oil. But these five took
their lamps as they were, and made no
provision for a future need. There are
plenty OF people like that now.
VS.. 4. Here is the contrast. Wis
dom was shown by forethought They
carried lamps in which was oil, and
also other vessels, or cans, in which
was the oil for replenishing when the
wick in the lamp should burn dimly.
Forethought is vastly yetter than al
terthought. That man is blessed who
can answer to the question Are you
ready Yes, | am"
VS.. ). The slumber while the bride
groom tarred was natural. One car
always be eXpectant OF the second
coming OF Christ, but one cannot al
ways keep awake. There must be
times OF sleep, but there should never
be time OF unreadiness.
vs.. 3. And at midnight II he
had only waited until daybreak there
would have been no trouble. But he
came at the midnight. The cry passed
on along the road he was to take
The bridegroom cometh." Ther
the was stir and haste. Go meet
him VIII eager haste these tel
sleepers, having walked, prepared.
VS.. 7. They all trimmed their lamps
both wise and foolish Externally
, everything was in readiness. All triet
to put fire to their lamps. Those o
the wise burned clear. Those OF the
foolish burned the wick to a char, dice
slowly down and went out, leaving
only smoking stump. Dismay then
They could not go thus. Wishes ant
lamentations were OF no avail then.
VS.. g. They had one resource. Swift
appeal is made to their associates
Give us; lend us. Our lamps will no
burn. We have no oil" Their lamps
had burned out while they slept. The,
were in sorry case. Thew could dc
nothing of themselves Thev had NJ
resources. The appeal must be made
to others These five are not the las
who have tried to go to heaven on thu
lives and achievements OF others. Set
what happened.
vs.. Q. The wise shook their heads
at is only midnight. We may ye
have to wait until dawn. Should w,
have to wait there will be not enough
for us and you. Go TO the sellers
Wake them. Buy oil. Then come.
So they parted company. They neve
met again.
The world is full OF people who fai
thus. They make preparation after TIL
time for action has arrived The tim
to prepare is now An old rabbi wa
wont to teach his pupils to prepare 10
death on the day before it came. Whei
asked when that you'd be, his answe
was Perhaps tomorrow. Therefor
prepare today
VS.. TO- While gone to buy, TIL
bridegroom came. With him afte
once his wedding procession had be
gun there was no tarrving They whit
were ready went in with him. Ihe1
."the door was shut" That is one o
the most fearful sentences Jesus eve
uttered There is no lawful way b.
which door shut may be passe'
4, al, GnNs h