The Brinkley argus., 1912-03-15

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 GOLDEN TExT--fsBless the Lord, o my soul and forget not all his benefits; who forgiveth all thine iniquties; who healeth all thy diseases. "--Ps. 103:2-3.
 Events tread upon the heels of events in the life of Jesus, especially during his early Galilean ministry, and none depict these events more graphically than St. Mark, who Is presenting us a picture of him as servant.
 Jesus had been upon a preaching tour and now returns to the town of Capernaum. As soon as 1t was noised about that he was at his home a crowd quickly gathered about the door. So great was the crowd that there was no longer any room in the house nor about the door, that is the crowd was so dense that late corners could not look in to see and hear the prophet.
 That many of these were attracted by his popularity there is no doubt, but it gave Jesus an opportunity to speak and preach the word which he was quick to seize upon. "He preached the Word unto them" Is this not a suggestion for teachers? especially of some of the adult classes.
 If your class is a Bible class stick to your text or else change your name. The apostles followed his example in this respect; so have all the mighty men of God.
 The result of this teaching and preaching is manifest in this record and should be an encouragement to preachers and Christian workers, viz, that it not only attracts the crowd, but that it reveals sin also.
 Sickness Result of Sin,
 While all sickness may not be the result of sin, yet remove sin from the world and an overwhelming propor- tion, perhaps all, suffering would cease. We are promised that in his newer and better kingdom there is to be no more pain nor sorrow. Jesus therefore said first of all, .Child, thy sins are forgiven" How his voice must have thrilled with tenderness and pathos as he uttered these words.
 But the critics were there: they ever have. been wherever good deed is being performed. Note they were sitting idly by s(v. 0. Showing no such anxiety as the four that the needy might come into the presence of Jesus
 "Who can forgive sin but one, even God? Their reasoning was correct and their conclusion was logical; the trouble was that unbelief and preju- dice had so blinded their eyes that they could not and would not recog- nize the power of God working through his Son. Yes, they went farther and made the fatal blunder of sascribing to Beelzebub this work of God (Jno. 10:33).
 It would seem as though their snug seif-esteem would at least have been startled when this young teacher showed them that he was reading the thoughts of their hearts. Why req son ye these things in your hsarts?' Human reasoning can disprove God, but the deductions of the intellect can. not satisfy the cry of human hearts after God (Job. 2S:3, 4).
 The greatest lesson for us to learn at this point is that the forgiveness of sin is greater in the estimation of God than the relief of human sufferings.
 Turning to the one sick of the palsy he said. "Arise!" What! Why such a thing Is phys ical impossibility. Surely this young prophet has gone mad; was not this boy let down few moments ago through that hole in wonder ceiling, so | helpless that 1t took four of his friends to bring him to this placer In seeming reply to such query Jesus tells the man to take up his bed !, and walk.
 Jesus Could Make Men Sec.
 Small wonder that the mans new power and this use of that power should amaze those present so that | 4 l. Il.