The Brinkley argus., 1912-04-12
INTERNATIONAL ] SONDGlSCIlO0L.
 LESSON
By E. 0. SELLERS, Director oa Ev1n 1n- ing Department, The Moooy o'''' stitute of Chicago)
LESSON FOR APRIL IA.

SA
 LESSON FOR APRIL l4. THE UsE OF THE SABBATH.
 LESSON TExT-Mark i:23 to a'e. GOLDEN TExT-"The Sabbath wns made for man and not man for tho oao- h."-Mark 2:T.
 That the Christian Sabbath IS to DO . Boon and not to be a Buroch the gist of the teaching of Jesus upon that subject, For what IS tne Sabbath set aside and to what use shall we put the time thus set asioe' are and have been through the years very live questions. That God had so- biological, physical reasons for setting aside one dcy in seven as oay of rest and recreation has led some to advocate what we know as 'Con' tinental Sunday"-one given over 10 pleasure, games, sports, auto rides, drives, etc., and an over emphasis upon the fact that God meant us not only to rest but also that he nal. lowed it," has given us the Puritani- cal observance that is akin to a wor- ship of this seventh day. Which is right7
 As we study these two incidents in the life of our Lord, the plucking or the grain and the healing of the with. cred hand, both of which occurred upon the Sabbath, we can surely ma guidance as to what shall be our ob- servance of this day.
 Let us look at the first. Passing through the field the hungry disci. ples plucked some of the ripened grain, and sitting 1t 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.
 How Jesus Spent Sabbath.
 Passing on, Jesus enters the syna. gague and there found a man having a withered hand. Again the ever watchful Pharisees observed him "that they might accuse 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 obedience-yes 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 so that tho man stretched forth his hand restored to it's full strength and usefulness.
 h 1t not sufficient that sin makes strange bed fellows, as for instance, the Pharisees consorting with tho Herodians, two parties as opposite as possible and bitter in their antagon. ism, taking counsel how they may dc stroy this young Galilean. The fact was the disciples had violated nd law of God, but an ordinance of man,
 What irony of Jesus tones as ha asked them "did ye never read?' The complaint of Puritanical Sabbath was never raised by ono who has a loving familiarity with the Word of God--God gave us the Sabbath, 1t did not come by accident.
 God will surely reckon with those corporations and individuals who de. mand, as shown by the social surveya of some of the steel towns, for illus. tration, seven days labor each week, or who in their individual lives are Sd 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 tho 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 weekly remind. CT of that great fact.
 Principles Make Christians.
 Rules make Pharisees. principles make Christians. It 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 1t is that Jesus said. I desire not sacrifice but mercy. My Kingdom Is not to become burden. l came to free men from the burden or ceremonial observance. desire mercy, therefore, if whenever the op. portunity comes for you to exercise the principles of true religion, to visit the Sick, to relieve the widows and thu fatherless, to relieve human need. to direct mems thoughts to me in vor. ship, If 1t be Sunday or not. you ought to do 1t In glad recognition that the Bon Of Man came not to be minis. tered unto but to minister. Church