Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-09-09
SUNDAY SCHOOL.
Lesson xL.-Third Quarter, For
Sept. 13, 1914.
THE INTERNATIONAL SERIES.

Memory verses, 1-LGoiden Text,
Matt. XIV, f3-commentary Prepared
by Rev. D. ~. stsarns-
Notwithstanding all His teaching
and His many mighty works. the ques-
ton of lisa. lii, i, still remained, Who
hath believed our report?" Many Of
the chief rulers believed on Him, but
because of the Pharisees did not con-
TESS Him for fear Of being put out Of
the synagogue, for they loved the
praise of men more than the praise OF
God John XII, ~, 49,. After His many
woes upon the Pharisees He spoke Of
the desolation which would come upon
Jerusalem until His coming again be-
cause of their rejection Of Him (Matt
xxin, 1880.
Instead Of admiring the magnifi-
cence of the temple, as His disciples
desired Him to do, He said that the
whole thing would be thrown down
and not one stone be left upon another.
As He sat upon the Mount Of Olives
over against the temple Peter and
James and John and Andrew asked
Him privately Of the end of the age
and when these things would be (Matt-
XIV, 1-3; Mark Kill Ia; Luke xxi,
so. His reply Is given In these three
chapters and is Of greater length than
any other recorded answer to Ques-
tion. DR.. Weston says that to no
vision but that Of Jesus was the COM
ing overthrow visible. He saw what
seems to occur to no student Of his
tory-that the destiny OF nation as
that of an individual. Is determined
by its relation 10 Christ
In every sentence Of the discourse
there seem to resound Christs open
ing words, Take heed that no man
deceives you" Wars and rumors Of
wars will characterize the whole age,
but the believer must not be troubled
there shall be time Of trouble such
as never was before and never win be
again. and Immediately after that
trtbulation shall the Son Of Man come
In the clouds OF heaven, with power
and great glory (Matt XIV, p, %
81. He viii find things at His coming
IN glory as they were In the days OF
Noah Matt. xiv, 1880.
The lesson Of today and next week
is found only IN Matt XIV, which
chapter consists Of three parts-the
ten virgins, the talents and the judg-
ment of the nations. The middle por-
tion we have already considered In
connection with the parable Of the
pounds. Unless we learn to distinguish
between the Jew, the gentle and the
church Of God q Cor. x, 80 we may
miss much In the matter Of interpreta-
ton. but the great thing Is to get the
heart lesson for ourselves-the message
from His heart to our hearts
He Is still, at the time Of our lesson,
dealing specially with Israel Cthe
Jews and has only mentioned the
church as something yet to be built
(Matt- xvi. 80. but wherever we read
IN the Bible there Is a message for the
heart Of man
The message for my heart In chap
ter xiv is that must let no man de-
ceive me; that / must patiently en-
dure; that must be watchful, ready.
faithful, doing In the story OF the
ten virgins / learn that lamps are no
use without oil, that mine should al
ways be trimmed, filed and burning
brightly, never Pickering or dim or
going out, and that / must be ever
ready and watchful From Zech- Nv
/ learn that to have constant supply
Of oil / must know and abide In Him
who, as my great High Priest, not only
redeems me, but ever lives for me,
and as my King or Lord controls all
my life, desiring to work In me to win
and to do Of His good pleasure Then
shall 1 know the meaning Of mot by
might nor by power. but by My Spirit,
saith the Lord of Hosts" Czech. iv, g.
Then shall l, controlled by the Spirit,
make good use OF the talents intrust-
ed to me and hear His well done,
good and faithful servant"
May it by Els grace be our happy
privilege, dear reader. yours and mine.
What terrible thing 1t viii be to be
only professedly His and to hear Him
say, verify 1 say unto you know
you not verse II; compare chapter
vii, 1929. Compare also the wise and
foolish Of chapter VII, 24-29. What a
mercy that the door Is not yet shut
(verse 10; Luke xiii, %. What a
blessing to be shut In with Him, as