The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-02-28
Sunday School Column
Side Lights on Next Sundays Les.
son for Teachers and Pupils
BY CHAs. K. MEYERS

March 3d-The Call of the First
Disciples.-Mark I, 1923; Luke 5, Ill.
We have brought to our notice this
week one of the most precious spots in
the New Testament history of the life
of the blessed Jesus-"The Sea of
Galilee." A hundred recollections rush
to memory when the little body of
water in the northern part of Pales-
tine is named. 1t was on Galilee Jesus
walked, whose tempestuous waves he
stilled by. a word. 1t was in the fish
ing villages on it's banks that many
of the wonderful miracles were per-
formed. 1t was rocking on it's waters
that Jesus spoke to the multitudes on
the land, and from it's depths He
caused the nets of the lOwly fisher
men, whom He was to call as disciples,
to be filled to overflowing. Overlook
ing it's placid surface was delivered
sweetest songs sang by the churches
and Sunday schools is "Sweet Cali
lee; Dear Galilee," in that it was able
to carry the Redeemer on its bosom,
and afford a retreat from the fierce
prosecutions which ever met Him
when in Judea. The lake is nearly
thirteen miles long and eight wide,
and noted for it's beautiful scenery.
Away back in the sixties when a
lad in the secluded village of Prairie
du Sac on the banks of the Wisconsin
river, l we'll remember of attending
a Baptist Sunday school in the shady
grove and singing 81 love to think
of Jesus by the sea, and l love the
precious words He spoke to them that
heard, while He taught the waiting
people of the land" The picture
which then came to mind is before
me now, and about it, is the Sunday
school lesson of today. The trials OF
the temptation were past, and the pub
lie ministry was to begin. Jesus took
Himself up into the section OF the
country called Galilee, and to the
shores of the lake of that name. His
fame had preceded Him and a curl
GUS throng of people pressed His foot
steps. To be relieved of the press Hell
called to fisherman whose boat was
nearby, with the request that he al
low Him to enter it and speak to the
people. Little did Peter think as he
granted the wish that he was about
to begin service for the Savior of the
world, and that in time he would suf-
fer martyrdom spreading His gospel.
Jesus repaid Simon Peter and the
other fishermen at once by helping
them to secure miraculous NUMBER
of Ash. Then came the request that
they follow Him and become "fsh-
ers of men," The record tells that
Simon, Andrew, James and John left
all to follow Him. Like the great
apostle Paul "they were not disobed-
lent" to the Masters call, but with
zeal took up His work, and so be-
came the first regular disciples of
Jesus, certainly great distinction.
One of the latest books along help
full religious lines is called Fishing
for Men" In truth, the way to get
people interested in Jesus and His
salvation is to go fishing for them.
Jesus made no mistake when he used
the term, 81 will make you fishers OF
men,"
Christian workers can we'll take the
inspiration as to what true discipleship
calls for, and actually try to make
men and women. boys and girls see
such beauties in the gospel that they
will be glad to join themselves in the
good work. The call to work for Jesus
is sounded forth from the pulpit of
every church worthy to be called
Christians The call comes to the|
heart alone when things eternal and
spiritual are considered. The thing
is, to heed the call, making no delay.
The account of the doing of this