The Brinkley argus., 1912-08-02
LESSON FOR AUGUST 4.
THE WORTH OF THE klncDol

LESSON TEXT-Matthew 13, A-53 GOLDEN TEXT-"Seek ye first his Kingdom, and his righteousness: and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33.
 We have studied some of the prin. ciples that are to obtain in the es- tablishing and the working out of this new kingdom Jesus came to found and the question naturally arises, "Is 1t of sufficient value for me to con slider or seek to enter 1t, or to possess it| In our lesson today there is set before us four parables (Jesus' favorite way of teaching) which he gave priv ately to his disciples and not to the multitude, that ought to answer any such questioning in our hearts.
 The first two have to do with the great value of the kingdom, the sec ond it's mixed character and final sepa- ration, and the last, the great respon- sibility of those who possess it's truths. In this entire group of par ables found fin the thirteenth chapter of Matthew are four that are for men who are careful to observe the out ward development, and four others that are for those men of faith who see beneath the surface the hidden things of the kingdom. Those men who view the kingdom In each par ticular age as God sees rather than as man observes.
 Today's lesson sets forth the pur- chase of things of great value, the ac- quisition and disposition of things of a mixed value, and lastly, the use of these values after coming into the pos session of them
 l. The hidden treasure, v. A Per haps moro properly this should be termed the parable of the bought field. We need to remember that in all of these parables the Master himself is the important parsonage. He is the one who sows the seed, etc. Hence we understand that he Is the one who discovers this great treasure hid den in the field He has already told us that "the field is the world" (Matt l 13:3S).
 | Symbolism of Pearls.
 l H. The pearl of great price, vs. 45, 46. This parable is very much the same as the foregoing, yet 1t adds great strength and force to this study in values. We ought to be very clear in our study and application. The pearl of great price may perhaps be taken as symbol of our salvation, but If :! so for us to- interpret the merchant man as the commonality of man would he for the sinner to purchase his own salvation, thing as far as possible for the New Testament teaching. Why does Jesus speak of pearls to 1 the Hebrews who did not esteem them l at all? What is the symbolism of pearl? The pearl is the one precious stone that is the result of living organism; 1t is the result of an injury done to the life of the oyster It has always stood for purity and for in rocence. Is it then Illogical fer us to assume that Christ is the merchant man who gave all to redeem te. 2. buy back the lost souls of mankind
 III. The drag net, vs. 47-5G. This parable is another that deals with the mixed character of the kingdom here upon the earth and of the final serara tion incident thereto. It is notiee2s'c that this is collective, not iIdiv.duai. fishing. There will be many move rlents that will ostensibly be for the gathering of men into this kingdom but the principle here laid down iG that one considered in the lesson o1 the wheat and the tares, viz. that u,- timately there shall be cast out all things that do offend. In the fina'its. of all things the kingdom shall te without spot or blemish. Hence we do not read into this parable empha- sis upon any phase of evangelism. 1 Search the Scriptures.
 ". The householder. vs 51-53. Tn the first of these parables we had the Word as the seed of this new kiagdo.n in this the eighth of the kingdom p.r- ables we revert as it were to the mat ter of the Word. Jesus acks lis disciples if they under, tand the Wcrd he has spoken to them. Their re- rronse is "Yes. We do" Then Jesus shows them what burden of resron- riti'ity due to possession rests uron them. Jesus refers to the Scri. es whose work under the Jewish eceu- or,y was to transcrlbe and to interpi et ard tells the disciples that they in a like manner are to interpret the ling. dom to all men. They are to Firing forth" hidden treasures. We must re- member that Jesus taught in pa, -h'es that hearing they might not hear" etc. hence we are to se-rch the Scriptures and bring forth th~s hid den treasures of truth as We 80 about doing our part.
 Are we willing to pay the price for the sake of the pearl? Are We willing to pay the price~of the fed that oth- CTS may possess the great treasure of eternal life in Christ? He paid the rrice to purchase eternal life for us. Do not forget the kingdom is not eat irg and drink, 7. but righteousness r-d joy and peace in the Holy Spirit fRon;. 14:1O.
 The treasure was discovered, the pearl sought after; both methods