The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1912-04-10
INTERNATIONAL
NNDMSQ1O0L
LESSON
(By E. c.. SELLERS. Director Of Even
ing Department, The Moody Bible In
stitute of Chioago.)-
LESSON FOR APRIL a.
THE USE OF THE SABBATH.

THE USE OF The SABBATH.
LESSON TEXT-Mark z:23 to 80.
GOLDEN TEXT-"'The Sabbath wal
made for man and not man for the Sab
rbath."-Mark 2:z.
That the Christian Sabbath n to be
q Boon and not to be q Burden 10
the gist Of the teaching Of Jesus
upon that subject. For what IL the
Sabbath set aside and to what use
shall we put the time thus set aside.
are and have been through tho years
very live questions. That God had 30
Geological, physical reasons for setting
aside one day In sever as day
Of rest and recreation has led some
to advocate what we know 70 Con
~tinentai Sunday"-one given over to
pleasure, games, sports. auto rides,
drives, etc., and an yer emphasis
upon the fact that God msant usino
only to rest but also that he hal
lowed It." has given us the Puritani-
cal observance that is akin to q wor-
ship Of this seventh day. Which IL
right?
AS We ssudy these two incidents In
the life Of our Lord, the plucking of
the grain and the healing Of the with
cred hand, both OF which occurred
upon the Sabbath, we can surely ind
guidance as to what shall be our OBJ
servance OF this day. These two
events, and the principles that UNI
derlie are OF sufficient Importance as
to be recorded In all three Of the
synoptic gospels.
Let us look at the frst Passing
through ths field the hungry disci-
pies plucked some Of the rtpened
grain, and sitting It In their hands,
they ate 1t to supply their hunger.
Mind, there was no reaping and gath
ering into barns for the profit Of the
owner. but simply the gathering Of
sufficient to relieve the needs of the
moment. The ancient Jew was cum
bered with q ceremonial observance
that was oppressive, yet their own
priests in the temple performed the
necessary daily duties and were held
suiltless; and the great David had
once entered that holy place and
taken Of the shew bread from OF the
altar and not only alta himself but
gave to those who were with him, So
it is that the life OF a man Is Of
greater Importance than the ~punctli-
Gus observance OF the Sabbath day.
How Jesu, Spent Sabbath.
Passing on, jesus enters the syna-
gague and there found a man having
q withered hand. Again the ever
watchful Pharisees observed him
that they might III him."
Jesus, knowing their growing antag-
onism, their attitude Of distrust, takes
advantage. Of the helplessness Of the
man to teach these Pharisees the les
son Of obedienceAyes for once in
scorn he rebukes them; anger and
grief struggled in the heart Of Jesus
as he commands the sick man to
stretch forth his hand, and with the
command went power 30 that the man
stretched forth his hand restored
to its full strength and usefulness.
Is 1t lawful. to do good or to do'harm.
to save a life or to XIII ON the Sab
bath? Once again Jesus takes the
law from its outward application and
reveals the spirit, the heart motive
that must apply If we r to truly love
and serve God. i<S -
Is it not sufficient that sin makes
strange bed fellows, as for instance,
the Pharisees c~onsorting with the
Herodians, two parties as opposite as
possible and bitter in their antagon-
ism, taking counsel how they may de-
stroy this young Galilean. The fact
was the disciples had violated no
law Of God, but an ordinance Of man,
and it has always been that we are
more jealous Of such than to really
know the spirit Of Gods commands,
and thereby to govern u actions.
What irony Of Jesus tones as he
asked them did ye lever read?" The
complaint Of a Puritanical Sabbath
was never raised by\one who has q
loving familiarity with the Word Of
God-God gave US the Sabbath, 1t did
not come by accident The heart hun
gers to know him and its demand Is
for time to worship and to serve him.
1t Is only those whose hearts are
blinded by the God of this world who
swing to the opposite extreme.
God will surely reckon with those
corporations and individuals who de-
mand, as shown by the social surveys
Of some of the steel towns, for illus
tration, seven days labor each week,
or who In their individual lives are so
engrossed in business and in pleasure
as to deaden and starve their souls,
which are all the time crying out for
God.
Jesus anger was at the hardness.
and his compassion for this hardness
Of the hearts Of the Pharisees. Let
US avoid the wrath and be subject to
the compassionate pity Of God Last
Sunday We studied the resurrection Of
our Lord. Let US remember that the
Christian Sabbath Is a weekly remind
er Of that great fact.
Principles Make Christians.
Rules make Pharisees, principles
make Christians. 1t Is not, thus saith
the priest or the council" that is to
govern our actions, for that method
has always served to deaden our con-
science, hence It Is that Jesus said. !
desire not sacrifice but mercy. My