The Holt County sentinel. (Oregon, Mo.) 1883-1980, 1912-08-02
LESSON FOR AUGUST 4.
THE WORTH OF THE KINGDOM.

HC "SHlN VI Ibc NINSDOWs
LESSON TENT Matthew II, 4l-5s
GOLDEN TENT-"Sc'k We first his
kingdom. and his righteousness: and all
iheso things shall lee added unto you"
Matthew 6:23.
We have studied some of the prin.
ciples that are to obtain in the es.
ablishing and the working out Of this
new Kingdom Jesus came to found.
md the question naturally arises. rs
II Of sufficient value for me to con.
.ider or seek to enter II. or to possess
Il" In our lesson today there is SET
before us four parallels Jesus favoritc
way OF teachingl which he gave priv.
itely 10 his disciples and not to the
multitude. that ought to answer any
such questioning In our hearts
The first two have to do with the
,rcat value Of the kingdom. the sec.
md iis mixed character and final sepa.
alton, and the last the great respon.
'ibility Of those who possess its
truths. In this entire group Of par.
lbles found In the thirteenth chapter
II Matthew are four that are for men
who are careful to observe the out
ward development. and four others
that are for those men Of faith who
zee beneath the surface the hidden
things OF the kingdom. Those men
who view the kingdom In each par.
ticular age as God sees rather than
as man observes.
Today's lesson sets forth the pur-
chase Of things OF great value. the &C.
puisition and disposition Of things OF
mixed value, and lastly. the use Of
these values after coming into the pos.
session Of them.
!. The hidden treasure. v. A. Per.
haps more properly this should be
termed the parable Of the bought field.
We need to remember that In all Of
these parallels the Master himself In
the important parsonage. lie In the
one who sows the seed. etc. Hence
we understand that he IL the one
who discovers this great treasure hid.
den In the field. lie has already told
rs that the field Is the world" Matt.
1899.
symbolism OF Pearls.
II. The pearl Of great price. Va. 45.
20. This parable IN very much tho
same as the foregoing. yet II adds great
strength and force to this study In
values. We ought to be very clear in
our study and application. The pearl
Of great price may perhaps be taken
as a symbol Of our salvation. but II
so for us TO interpret the merchant.
man ~ the commonality OF man would
he for the sinner to purchase his own
salvation. thing rs far rs possible
for the New Testament teaching.
Why does Jesus speak Of pearls TO
he Hebrews who did not esteem them
| AZ all? What Is the symbolism Of u
pearl? The pearl Is the one precious
stone that Is the result OF a living
organism: II II the result Of an injury
done to the lie of the oyster II has
| always stood for purity and for In
nocence. Is II then Illogical for us to
assume that Christ is the merchant
man who gave all TO redeem ie. 3,
| buy back the lost souls Of mankind?
III, The drag net. vs.. 1850. This
Narapie Is aho'her mat dcais WIN 'he
"'Ned character oi me knHdom mere
uPoh 'he ear'h ana OF me maj separn-
',oh ,nc'dea' 'hereto' u u ho,iceab!e
,hht TINS " 'olective. not Individual
hsn'he' Ihere VIII pe many move
mems tha' VIII os,ehsibiy De Tor 'he
gathering OF men into this Kingdom.
hut the principle here laid down II
.nat one considered IN the lesson OF
me ~neat ana 'ne ,ares' VIZ tha' VI,
| fUa'ely mere fnalI De cast out All