The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1912-04-19

LEsSON len - '-E anu MATT eAS-
B.
GOLDEN TEXT-"Ye did not choose
nae, but / chose you. and appointed you,
that We go and bear fruit."-John l5:l6
(R W.
Things do not happen in the realm
Of religion, they come 10 pass, No
man can alone accomplish any great
task. Every great leader has been
blessed by one or more equally great
helpers. Luther had his Melancthon;
Wesley had his brother Charles. Whit,
field and others, Moody had Whittle.
Bliss, Sankey and more. These lead
era but followed lin his steps"
Jesus ministry made him very
much observed and at the same time
greatly multiplied his duties and bur
dens. When, therefore, he chose these
disciples ne desired not only to OBJ.
tain help and to begin to teach those
who were afterward to take up his
work. but like every other act, he de-
sired to teach q lesson to those who
were 80 carefully observing his life.
So It was that the significant mum
Der of twelve, corresponding TO the
twelve tribes, at once confirmed his
assumption of the Messiahship. This
meant that In him those wondrous
prophecies were being fulfilled, and II
also served to stimulate those upon
whom the choice fell. Moses who led
this people out of Egypt had 10 be
helped lex. 19:17-24) in his work and
a greater who is to found a new
kingdom calls about him those who
shall do a greater work than merely
to Judge the people. Why greater7
Because they are not only to Judge
results but are to change results by
altering causes. They are to have
power over demons even al the Mas
ter, for evil has no rights. The so -te
OF their power Is TO be Jesus fofeAe
is to be with them"-power and pro-
lection as we'll. So with us. Matt.
rs: 20.) Their power is to grow with
usage, for we learn by doing, hence he
sends them forth. Their going is for
Il5 pIoSldlualiou VI Nbt ~ vi LIN
new kingdom they are to preach, moi
to argue. Apologetics are well enough
at time, but the disciple who brings
things to pass Ia he who does not so
much plead for God as he who wit
nesses for God. Those who are sent
need never fear for not only is he
with them but they are given author
ity to do this specified work, and with
the authority is also given wisdom
duke 24:49).
Some Things II Teaches and why.
This lesson is different from our
previous one where Jesus first called
his disciples. Luke tells us that these
twelve we're selected from among the
rest OF the disciples. The greater
nsarness and more extended author
ity Of these messengers" called upon
them greater testings than the others
who were disciples or learners"
Matthew tells us what Jesus said
is to be the character Of his repre-"
sentatives. He likens them to salt
and to a light. Nothing is better for
the whole body than salt and sun"
were the words Of Pliny. Salt is a
great cleansing agency; it Is a strong
tonic; II has great preservatiEe quail
ties; II is q great preventive against
corruption, but Jesus adds, II salt
loses It's saline quality It becomes
like any other earth; 1t has no dis.
tinguishing essential, characteristic.
Let not the Christian, who Is the salt
of the earth lose his identity, lose
his sadness and become like the
world about him. II he does he ia 1T
then only to be trodden under the
foot of man. These disciples are to be
the light of the world. II ia a good
thing to preserve, to purify, to cleanse,
but 1t is a greater thing to energiIe,
to direct, to lead. The disciple Is not
only to be salt but sun as well. He
is to be n who shall have no deal
ing with those who are the workers
Of darkness; he ia to be a light, a city
get upon a hill, n who shall direct,
inspire, enthuse, energize. He is not
to be hidden from men but note, he
lie to shine before" men and not to
be seen "of men" And It ia by their
good works that the Father In Heaven
is to receive his glory.
How Men Are Saved.
These apostles came from man
walks In life and represent varied tenn
peraments. The aggressive Peter and
the other son OF thunder" who would
call down fire upon those who walked
not with Jesus. The reflective eau
Thomas, the plotting practical
Judas, who also betrayed him"
These are the men who are sent forth,
some az public heralds John 1880
and some by personal solicitation
(Jas. 1:41) to win yet other followers.
Men are saved through saved men
and those whom he sends forth are
those who have first learned to fol-
low. Their work Is made permanent
as they abide" In him. God
the hearing ear. the believing
heart and the confessing mouth
1910.
Those whom Jesus sends are to OF.
Ter his kingdom to men not to force
It upon them. They must expect to
be received as he wal received and
how that shall be be plainly foretells
Matt. 10). Their work shall bring
variance upon earth, yes ever among
hose Of the same family, but the man
who refuses to go, to take up this {
cross. Ia none Of his, lis not worthy
,f me-" !
Jesus called men mot angels) 10
help him establish this new kingdom I
he needed their help. He '