The Brinkley argus., 1912-12-20
INTERNATIONAL, S(JNMSQbOOL
 LESSON (By E. o. SELLERS. Director of Eve ming Department The Moody Bible In- stftute of Chicago)
LESSON FOR DECEMBER q
FOR AND AGAINST HIM.

of the disciples of Jesus, w. 1850; IL The intrepid zeal of Jesus, w. 61-6S, and III. The lack of zeal on the part of some would-be followers of Jesus. w. 6T-62.
 Evidently monopolistic ideas arc not modern development. The de- sire to control all religious authority has given rise to the most damnable blots on the history of the Christian church. Christian intolerance is one of the devils sweetest morsels.
 And John answered" not the im- petuous Peter. Who 1t was that had spoken we do not know, but evidently 1t was Jesus. Two things are without dispute: CD The unknown one was doing the work, and (2) he was giving Jesus the glory, Luke 1917. Whether he ceased at the command of John we cannot say. It has yeen suggested that could we have heard the tone of Johns voice perhaps we should have gathered that John was not quite sure he had done the right thing, but he is frank and tells Jesus why he gave his command, viz., because he followed not with us"
 Work In Christ's Name.
 This spirit has always been one of the serious drawbacks in the advance ment of the kingdom. Belong to our party, follow our methods, or else quit working. There are, of course. wrong methods which will never pro duce right results, but if 8 man Is do ing Christ's work and doing 1t in Christs name we need to beware of allowing selfishness, the traditions of men, or the fact that I've never saw it on this wise" to allow us to hinder that man in his work, see Mark 9:39' A.
 Scholars are divided as to the in. terval of time between verses 50 and 51, but the second section. is won derful illumination of the sort of zeal Jesus desires in his followers. Verse 51 is one of the most sublime in the entire Bible. Where can we find any thing like 1t? Jesus saw not the bick erings of the disciples as to place and power; he saw not the sights cast upon him by both Jew and Samaritan; Jesus saw Jerusalem and beyond that Calvary, and as steadfast as flint "he set his. face to go to Jerusalem All of redemption, all of Pentecost all of this age" and the glorious con summation of "this age" is bound uI in that intrepid zeal of him who when the days were well nigh come that he should be received up" set his fact ''steadfastly."
 Certain of the Samaritans refused to receive him and his party. Thii time John has another to speak with him, James. They again show tho spirit of intolerance and to 1t they add that of vindictiveness. As we SC before him to prepare the way are we entirely free from making similar mistake? These Samaritans acted in ignorance. Perhaps, as revealed in V 53, they saw that he did not intend to go to their village anyway (see also John 4:4042).
 Stories of Three Men.
 In the third section we have before us the stories of three men whom Jesus met, each of whom lacked suf- ficient zeal to become his true follow. err. The first impulsively answers some emotion of his heart and as sures Jesus that he will follow "whith- ersoever thou goest." Jesus did not rebske him, for the man had but little realization of what was implied I'll go with him through the garden, we sing glibly. Let us pause and honest ly answer the question, Will l go?'' Am I willing to pay the price z (John 15:20 and I. Peter 2:31) He who had set his face steadfastly sim ply opens as 1t were the deep loneli- ness of his heart and gives this man faint suggestion of that poverty of him "who was rich. yet for our sakes became poor" (2 Cor. S:9). This Is ono of tho few references Jesus made as to his own condition. The second man seems to be of more importance, inferentially, at least. for Jesus com mands him to follow" Notice Jesus does not say admire me, nor even worship me, but follow me" This man seems to have very high sense of duty, his obligation to his parents and to the amenities of society. This mans mistake was in placing any thing, no matter how important. in the place of the kingdom. Jesus does not mean for us to neglect such a plain duty, but this man is pleading for a delay, and had 1t not been this excuse 1t would have been some other one.
 The third man also had something he wanted to do first He expressed great determination (v. SD. but like Lots wife, he wanted one nore look at the world he was going to leave. Christ's words are significant. Obey the prompting of your heart. Do not look backward to the world. but look forward to the kingdom. The only possibility of your running the race before you, of blowing straight fur ow. is like the Master to set your face "steadfastIy" If we hang onto the Yorld we are none of his" If we ang on to him we must give up the world.
 Where Foliage Comes From.
 A teacher was explaining to a It, tie girl how ths trees developed their foliage in the springtime. "Ah, yes"