The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1910-06-18

(Matt. -: I-9, IS-22.)
A parable is an illustration. 1t is al
WAYS designed to teach some essential
truth. Many have tried this method
OF teaching. No one ever has APP
preached the parallels OF Jesus Tor d.
rectness, clearness, brevity, complete
ness. The parallels of Jesus are espec-
ially valuable for teachers who desire
to learn how to illuminate truth.
The Parable OF the Sewer was with
out doubt drawn from observation.
The hearers had just seen what Jesus
described 1t was so matter-of-iact
that even his disciples failed to COM
= prehend its import.
Why did Jesus speak this parable!
His controversy with the Pharisees
concerning the power by which he
cast out devils was just finished. Inc
effect of his works and words on the
various classes of people who had fol
lowed and listened as he wrought and
taught must have deeply impressed
him That he should think OF himself
as a sower was natural. That he should
desire to account for the attitude OF
masses toward him was even more
natural "Unfenced fields and foot
paths across them, tramped hard,
stony plac 5, and spots full OF tn, rns.
thistles and brambles were common
Every disciple would recognize at once
the picture made i'll the parable. 1t
would seem that every one OF them
should have recognized its spiritual I'M
port. Not one OF them did. He was
saving. do not think every word |
speak will be received. Do not, on
the contrary. suppose that every word
speak will be lost Nv words scatter
like seed carried by the wind. Many
hearers will not be benefited. But
some will be. Some will bear abund-
ant fruit. | speak this parable that
you may not be discouraged because
the Phsrisees remain disbeievers.
There will be fruit an hundredfold gar
nered from some fields"
The verses of 10 of chapter - are
merely descriptive OF what every Cal
lean knew all about. They ne d no
explcation. An< lesson-help will ex-
plain the physical features Let us cen
ter our thought on the exploitation
which Jesus gave, vss. 1922.
TUE 1pccON
vs.. 70 The ignorant hearers and
the devil The multitudes heard then
They do now. Evangelists stir towns
to their circumference. But few com
parativcly understand. Then cometh
the wicked one That is history. III:
devil follows hard on the hee;s OF tie
preacher. They are not partners. By
no means But after one has been busy
driving the devil out the latter takes
his turn. "He catche,h away the seed. y
The one who does not understand is
like a bit of path. beaten hard by the
might lie on a p ank 1t cannot effect
entrance to the soil The birds alight
on the path and eat the seed. 1t does
them good But the devil does not
eat the truth. 1t would kill him as a
devil He catcheth it away. Oh, the
hard path hearers. How many they
are Hearing, they hear, and hear not
Alright.
VS. 10. "Shale Gravel. Rock
covered with only thin layer OF earth.
Can seed grow on shale? Yes. Can it
mature new grain? No. The hearers
OF VS. 20 are 'cardsisnerS" at the great
revival serM,cs Ecstasy, joy, delight
at hearing fills them The seed sprouts,
and the preacher thinks there will be
many accessions to his church on pro-
fesson OF faith They are en- enthus-
iastic company. They have accepted
the gospel. They sing, "Oh, that will
be glory for me. Every one has seen
such people Jesus did not nverdraw
1t, am not overdrawing il
vs.. u. What is the after W tn
these people, They have no root in
themselves. They surely have no root
III any one else. The germ sprouts.
1t is in crevlceS OF the Shale or under
the shade ct hte gravel, or lies softly
on the thin earth over the rock. The
ram vets 1t. Swels ii. 1t starts To
grow. Its roots seek some hold in
earth. There is none. The sun Shines
hot. hat ends it. There are p.enty
OF StCIl persons. ncN " II Wlltn the