The Madison journal. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1888-current, 1914-06-27

$40
GOLDEN TEXT-'The Son Of man is
come to seek and 10 save that which was
lost" Luke 1910.
The golden text is a great summary
Of the meaning and the essential pur-
pose Of all of our Lords activities.
Each lesson is an illustration of this
simple promise. In them We discover
chiefly our Lord in his work of pre-
pairing his disciples to share with him
IN this work.
Lesson |. The observation of mans
attempt 80 get the best seats with the
consequent abasement, calls forth the
parable Of the great supper. Therein
We are shown mans enmity against
God as revealed by his contemptuous
treatment of Gods overtures OF
grace. The rebuke and the parable
reveal Gods willingness and mans re-
fusal In all this our Lord was seek
/ ing these men.
The Perfect Son.
Lesson u. This is the Easter les
| son and Is aside from our series. In
1t we are shown that Jesus Christ Is
himself the chief subject of prophecy.
Lesson ~. The one central truth
here taught is that to be his dis
ciple we must give up all and make
him supreme. In osr affections, aims,
ideals, yea, make him the sole pos
SCISSOR of time, talent and pesses-
sions.
Lessons w and v. II is impos-
sible to separate these three para
bles. They are a whole in that each
tells Of something lost, sought and
found. The Son, the Holy Spirit and
the Father are each seeking Our
Lord was himself the perfect Son OF
the Father; who never got into the
far country, or out of adjustment with
his Father. He is different also from
the churlish brother in that he re-
1oices to bring back his own" These
two lessons particularly illustrate his
work of saving.
Lesson vi. Beginning with this les
son, our Lord seems to be sitting the
multitude, and at the same time be
preparing his disciples against their
work OF co operating with him in his
work of seeking and saving. The true
motive in service is On the use OF all
we possess for him whom we love We
are SO to use our money as to make
friends and bring rewards which
shall abide long after our money and
even our life in this world has passed
away.
Lesson VII. AS the last lesson had
to do with stewardship this has to
do with service. This present life is
but the vestibule of the eternal one.
If we so live this life as to develop
it and to rule its desires, we shall
find abundant qualification in this
world beyond towards which we are
travelling so rapidly.
Lesson VIII. Jesus Is still instruct
ing his disciples. Offenses must, or
rather, will come, but forgiveness is
the divine attribute, not because he 10
indebted to us nor that he is mawk-
ishly, sentimentally, sympathetic.
Nothing we do ever places him under
any obligations to us. When we have
done all We will exclaim: I'VE have
done that which was our duty to do"
This does not set aside the Joy which
is ours and his when one of the lost
is found"
Lesson TX. Not only did Jesus sift
the multitude and reveal the need of
helpers, at the same time setting be-
fore them the terms of discipleship,
but he also emphasizes the thought OF
gratitude on the part OF those helped
and of those his servants who are
judged worthy to help him. To re-
ceive a blessing from God demands
a giving Of thanks therefor. Thanks
for being saved and for the privilege
Of helping to save others.
Lesson X. The kingdom which our
Lord came to set up upon earth is to
begin within us and it is not to con-
Sist Of eating and drinking but OF
and truth. The visible
kingdom which our Lord came to set
up upon earth is to begin within US,
and 1t is not to consist of eating and
drinking, but of righteousness and
ruth. The visible kingdom yet to
De is that for which we must be watch 4
ng AID be ready against the immi-
rent return of its rightful Lord and
King. To seek and to save, to evan
,elize is to help hasten that glorious
.dvent.
Lesson XII. The picture Of Zacchae-
Is is that of a man restored to his
light relationship with God; the out
ward evidence being acts of re-
entance and restoration. This lesson
erfectly reveals the essential work
4 Christ, and that to which he is
alling his disciples. Zacchaeus did
ot seek Christ, but Christ came to
eek and save Zacchaeus and all like
i'm who are lost.
Lesson XII. The great refusal re-
eals that the condition of being
aved or being lost rests with the in
isidual soul. Many elements enter
nto the refusal of men but the es-
entail one is land ye would not"
ohm $40. Much possessions will
OF satisfy the human soul. There il
he danger that we trust our wealth
ather than God. Lacking one thing,