The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1912-05-08
Sunday School Notes
Side Lights on Next Sundays
Lesson for Teachers and Pupils.
Edited by cHAS. K. MEYERS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS.

TTTTTFrcSsc4stStr ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
May l9-The Law of Love. Luke
G:27-3S and Romans i3: $40.
This is a notable lesson in that it
contains as one OF the verses set for
special study the wonderful Golden
Rule" which reads, "As We would that
men should do to you, do also to them
likewise" We presume that every
reader can repeat this rule but if not
now is the time to fix it in memory
and to teach it to the children OF the
Sabbath schools and the homes.
1t was in part of the sermon on
the mount which we are considering
today that Jesus gave utterance to the
command that true christians should
love their enemies, and do good to
those who use them in mean way.
Our poor human nature always rebels
at the command to turn the other
cheek if struck, to give one our coat
who has before taken our cloak, to
him who taketh away our goods, make
no request for return. But the pure
Jesus must set up before us the very
highest commands for goodness. He
who commanded all to be perfect as
God is perfect, could not lower the
standards of excellen> 2.
1t is to be seen in public print that
the great Methodist church in general
conference assembled is talking of
lowering it's standards as to church
members dancing, playing cards and
the like. 1t is said by the bishops
that the church is as much against
these things as ever, but because
many members do not live up to the
discipline on this matter, it were bet
ter not to have the various prohi-
billions laid on their consciences.
There was no such reasoning by
Jesus He commanded to love ones
enemies, to pray for those who use,
us despitefully, although He well
knew that the ideal christian life thus
set forth could not be attained in this
world.
This does not show that none must
strive for perfect love toward all. A
perfect high standard of life befitted
perfect savior, the Son of God came
to teach humanity the way back to
God.
The great apostle Panl in the verses
from Romans. noted above, backs up
hsi commands to those of Jesus.
He holds up that the true way to live
is with such love in our hearts for
those about us. we could not think for
a moment to do them harm. Pau
brings to the front the thought en-
pressed years before by Jesus that
one should love ones neighbor as him
self. Paul we'll says that if we keep
to this rule, of course we will keep
the ten commandments, for we would
not kill or steal from or lie about
one whom we truly loved.
1t is love that rules the world.
Force, strict demands of the law, an
eye for an eye, and tooth for tooth
do not tend toward the betterment
of the world and joy, peace, good
will and Goodness. Unchristian men
love those who love them. Christians
must do better than that, showing that
they can be kind and loving, not on
ly to those who can and do pay them
back in like manner, but those who
in all probability will never be thank
full and show appreciation over kind
ness shown. All this for Christ's
sake.
Jesus says in the latter verses OF
the lesson that the rewards OF love
come not alone on earth, but in heav-
en-. That those who show mercy will