The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1910-10-01
Matt, IS: I-I3.)

Matt. rs: I-I3)
Golden Text:-"Be ye therefore
ready also; for the Son OF man COM
eth at an Hour when We think not"
Luke IL: 40.
The twep,y-fifth chapter oi Matthew
is oJc OF the most interesting OF the
whole story OF the life OF Jesus, not
only Tor 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
with marriage i'll the time OF Jesus.
In Abbott's Commentary on Matthew,
pages 10000, is an admirable de-
scriptiou Dr. Abbott's first note de-
clares that this is parable OF the sec
ond com>ag OF Christ. To see clearly
all that is meant, read carefully chap
tiers % and "a. The eight woes pro-
nounced upon the Pharisces and the
doom OF Jerusalem, with his discourse
out on the Mount OF Olives. make it
clear he had in mind the end OF the
age. The ten virgins therefore rep
resent the protested followers OF
Christ i'll the world at the end OF the
age.
vs. ? Here is a description OF the
character Of believers in Christ There
have always been wise and foolish"
members OF the Church of Christ Wis
dom and Jolly are characteristic OF life
in all callingS and professions. There
is no wonder some Christian probes
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
urcs. Jesus was not giving a 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 all all-night vigil,
and the lamps would need a complete
filling with oil. But these five took
their amps as they we're, and made no
provision ior a future need. There are
plenty OF people like that now
vs.. + Here is the contrast Wis
dom was shown by iorcthought. They
carried lamps in which was oil, and
also other vessels, or cans, in which
was the oil for rcpIenishing when the
wick in the lamp should burn dimly.
Forelhought is vastly better than. al
terthought. That man is blessed who
can answer to the question Are you
ready: Yes, ! am
vs.. 5. The siumbcr while the bride
groom tarried was natural. One can
always be expcct&nt of the second
coming Vi Christ, but one cannot al
ways keep awake There must be
times oi sleep, but there should never
be time oi unrcadincsS.
vs.. 3. And at midnight" Ii he
had only waited until daybreak there
would have been no trouble. But he
came at the midnight. he cry passed
on along the road he was to take:
The bridegroom comcth' Then
thee? was stir and haste. Go meet
him, Nyh eager haste these ten
slccpcrs, having walked, prepared.
vs.. !. They all trimmed their lamps,
both wise and foolish. Externally
everything was in readiness All tried
To put fire to their lamps Those of
the Wise burned clear Those of the
foolish burned the wick to a char, died
slowly down and went out, leaving
only a smoking stump. Dismay then
They could not 9" thus. Wishes and
lamentations were Oi no avail then.
vs.. s. They had one resource Swift
appeal i, made to their associates.
Give us; lend us. Our LAMBS will not
burn We have no OIL Their lamps
had burned out while they slept. They
were III sorry case. Thew could do
nothing ui themselves. They had no
resources The appeal must be made
to others These five are not the last |
who have tried to go To- heaven on the |
lives and achievements OF others See ,
what hapuened.
vs. 9, The wise shook their heads