The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-04-17
INTERNATIONAL
SUNDMSQD0L
LESSON
(By q. o. SELLERS. Director of n,en-
ing Department, The Moody Bible In
stitute Of Chicago.)
LESSON FOR APRIL Il.
THE APPOINTING OF The
TWELVE.

LESSON TExT-3:7-19 and Matt. b:13-
l8.
GOLDEN TEXT-"Ye did not choose
me, but I chose you, and appointed you,
that We 20 and bear fruit. John 1915
(R. W.
Things do not happen in the realm
of religion. they come to 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 White,
Bliss, Sankey and more. These lead
ers but followed -in his steps,"
Jesus ministry made him very
much Observed and at the same time
greatly multiplied his duties, and bur-
dens. When, therefore, be chose these
disciples he 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 a lesson to those VINO
were 80 carefully observing his life.
So 1t was that the significant num-
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 1t
also served to stimulate those upon
whom the choice fell. Moses who led
this people out of Egypt had to be
helped (Ex. 1s:17-24) in his work and
q 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 greater?
Because they are not only to Judge
results but are to change results by
altering causes. They are to have
power over demons even as the Mas
ter, for evil has no rights. The source
OF their power is to be Jesus for he
is to be with them"-power and pro-
lection as well. SO with us. Matt.
2s:20.) Their power is to grow with
usage, for we learn by doing, hence he
sends them forth. Their going Is for
the proclamation Of the facts OF this
new kingdom they are to preach, not
to argue. Apologetics are well enough
at time but the disciple who brings
things to pass Is he who does not 30
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 It Teaches and Why.
This lesson Is different from u
previous one where Jesus first called
his disciples. Luke tells us that these
twelve were selected from among the
rest Of the disciples. The greater
nearness 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; 1t Is a strong
tonic; 1t has great p~reservative quail
ties; 1t Is a great preventive against
corruption, but Jesus adds, If salt
loses it's saline quality 1t becomes
like any other earth; 1t has no dis
tinguishlng essential, characteristic.
Let not the Christian, who is 1.-The salt
Of the earth" lose his identity, lose
his sadness and become like the
world about him. If he does he Is fit
then only to be trodden under the
foot Of man. These disciples are to be
the light Of the world. It Is a good
thing to preserve, to purify, to cleanse,
but it Is a greater thing to energize,
to direct, to lead. The disciple Is not
only to be salt but Jul as well. He
Is to be one who shall have no deal
ing with those who are the workers
of darkness; he Is to be a light, a city
set upon a hill. n who shall direct,
inspire, enthuse, energize. He Is not
to be hidden from men but note, he
Is to shine before men and not to
be seen "of men," And 1t Is by their
good works that the Father in Heaven
Is to receive his glory.
How Men Are Saved.
These apostles came from many
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.
tious Thomas, the plotting practical
Judas. "who also betrayed him."
These are the men who are sent forth,
some as public heralds John 1867
and some by personal solicitation
Jas. lad to win yet other followers.
Men are saved through saved men
and those whom he sends forth ere
those who have first learned to fol-
low. Their work is made permanent
only as they abide" In him. God