Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1912-04-11

/ Sunday School
Senior Berean Lesson For
I. April ID.

!
Golden Textile Sabbath was
made for man and not man for the
Sabbath Mark ii, 20.
Chapter ii. 23-2S.-A considerable pro-
vision.
The movements Of Jesus and his dis
ciples were closely followed by both
friend and foe The first delighted to
be in his company and to listen to his
helpful teaching. The second detested
him and watched for opportunities to
make trouble for him. went through
the cornfields." These were grain
fields Of barley or wheat outside the
city OF Capernaum. Began, as they
went, to pluck the ears of corn" The
disciples were taking advantage of a
kind law that permitted those who
We're hungry to pluck the ears of
standing corn with their hand, but
not to use any instrument (Deut.
xiii, 25). The objection was not rails
ed on this ground. 1t was that they
We're doing this ION the Sabbath day."
This was the seventh day Of the week
and correspondent to our Saturday.
The fourth commandment was clear as
to work on the Sabbath day, but the
spirit OF this law permitted works of
necessity (Ex. xii, 16). But the rab-
binic Interpretation of this law was
harsh and heartless. 1t prohibited ev-
cry kind of work, so that the Sabbath
became a task day instead of a day
of delight. THAT which is not law
fuP' according to their perverse I'M
derstanding of the purpose of the Sab
bath. "Haye We never read?" The
Master reminded the Pharisees who
had complained to him about his dis
ciples that they were justified in what
they did by the excellent precedent
set by David. ''Abiathar." Read Ahim-
elech He was in charge of the sane
tuary at Mob, where David received
hospitality when he fled from Saul q
Sam. xxi, 1-6). David had made an
exception of himself and his compan-
ions in partaking of 1.-THE show bread
the twelve cakes of unleavened bread
which were placed fresh every Sab
bath on table in the sanctuary. The
bread of the previous week was to be
eaten only by the priests and in the
sanctuary Nev. xiv, so. 1t is the
exception that often proves the rule.
David entered not only the sanctuary,
though he was a layman; he also ate
the show bread to which he was not
| entitled.
'The Sabbath was made for man."
Mans welfare is more important than
the sacredness of the mere day, but
we must not sacrifice character to com
fort An ancient writer has we'll said,
1.-THE Sabbath was appointed not for
Gods sake, but for the sake of man"
1t was given for the highest benefit of
the human race. We therefore honor
the day most when we use it for spir-
itual recuperation, which will give tone
to the physical system as we'll as to
the whole personality. Let us see to it
that we do not allow the world to de-
fraud us Of the great blessing which
the Sunday can impart to u.s.
Chapter lii, 1-5.-A compassionate
| deed.
| On another occasion Jesus impress
sively showed that not only works of
necessity, but also works of mercy,
can be performed on the Sabbath day.
Entered again into the synagogue"
This center of popular worship and re-
ligious instruction was regularly Wis
tied by Jesus on the appointed days.
"a withered hand" Luke states that
1t was his right hand that was dried
up and paralyzed. An apocryphal Cos
pei states that the man made the~ap-
| peal to Jesus, saying: Il was mason
earning my bread with my hands. I
pray thee, Jesus, restore my health
| that may not in shame beg for food"
'sThey watched him." His enemies
were determined to expose Jesus as a
violator of the law. Once more Jesus
anticipated them.
ITO save life or to kill" Here was
an indirect reflection on their attitude
toward him. They did not scruple to
watch for an opportunity to condemn
him, even though it was the Sabbath
day, but they were very particular
about insisting on law that did not
affect them personally. They held
their peace" They could not answer
without committing themselves, but
their refusal was confession Of de-
feat With anger" This was not
the feeling Of personal resentment, but
Of pity, mingled with grief. for the
hardness Of their hearts, They were
80 set in their obtuse and obstinate
ways that they simply would not see
the larger truth. Stretch forth thine
hand" No sooner had the word been
spoken than power entered the dis
eased hand and brought back to it per-
feet health.
Chapter Iii. 6. A counsel Of con-
spiracy.
Things were going too far, and some
desperate effort must be made to put
a stop to the spread Of heresy. Jesus
was clearly not safe, and If he was al
lowed to SO on the results would be
III ne,fvs Nat II. Il