The Brinkley argus., 1914-09-25

l take thy crown. Rev 3:11.
 The lessons of the first quarter of
 this years cycle chiefly present Jesus
 as the great teacher Those of the
 second quarter principally concern the
 aspect of his saviorhood, whereas dur ing this present quarter we see him
 mainly as the great judge. These les
 sons have dealt with matters which occurred during the last months; we
 may almost say the last weeks. of has life. During that year of opposition"
 he Is met with the most determined
 hostility and persecution. Neverthe-
 hess he proceeds against 1t all with
 icalm assurance in strict Justice and without shadow of faltering. This reading lesson contains the
 most celebrated and familiar verse in
 |the bible. In 1t We see:
 IA mighty God-"For God"
 LA mighty motive-"So loved" LA mighty scope-"The worId''
 IA mighty sacrifce--'So gave His only be- gotten Son"
 LA mighty escape-"Not perish" IA mighty gift-"Eternal life" We here see Jesus set forth in grace
 tand while 1t does not declare that he
 Icame to judge. yet. in the passage are
 (set forth those principles upon which
 fhe is constantly the judge, and where
 by he will eventually act tn the last
 (and final judgment.
 Code Right. ll In the first lesson, that of the labor
 )ers, Jesus taught his disciples the sov-
 Iereignty of God. God has right to
 bdo as seemeth best to himself. In this iparable we see the true motive in serv-
 bce. viz. fidelity and not for hope of
 lreward. Jesus thus prepared the way
 bfor his denunciation and judgment, of
 the rulers.
 | Lesson two, which deals with the 6elf-seeking disciples and the self-sac-
 mificing Savior, is intended to teach
 hhat there is but one path to true and
 Lasting greatness, and that Is the path
 Sof sacrifice and service.
 The story of Bartimaeus. lesson
 ythree, Is a beautiful and touching ex-
 lhibition of his activity of mercy even
 hn the midst of the approaching 5udg-
 hment
 | In the fourth lesson is presented the
 jparable of the pounds and the talents.
 tBoth are spoken to the disciples and
 both deal with their responsibilities to
 ;himself in the coming days. Our eter-
 (nal reward depends upon our acts and
 battitudes in the life that now is. l Lesson five presents Jesus as the I Messiah prophesied of in the Old Tes- ltament It deals with the story of his
 ,coming into Jerusalem. Entering thus
 lin such manner demands our atten-
 Ition for 1t foreshadows the time of his Judicial activity with reference to the people and the nation.
 The next five lessons may be said
 ito deal with this ministry of judgment. In lesson six we see some of the
 preparatory signs and teaching. The
 bblasting of the fig tree and his cleans ling of the house of God are both sym
 bolical
 fail to be faithful in the kingdom
 which has been entrusted to us 1t will | certainly be taken from us. Lesson eight presents the parable of
 the marriage feast in which Jesus un- folds the plan of Gods invitation and its human rejection in three stages. | Code kInship. | The ninth lesson is q political in- Quiry which our Lord answered by setting forth all of the important state | relationships according to the funda- mental fact of the kingship of God. l Render unto Caesar the things that ! are Caesars. and unto God the things that be God's.' No other answer of his better reveals the infinite wisdom, skill and tact of our Lord. In lesson eleven. the parable of the | virgins, we are taught that the Lord Jesus is coming again and we must watch and be ready against that immi nent event. This lesson also suggests the responsibilities of his people dur ing his absence.
 The twelfth lesson is prediction of the judgment of the nations and re- veals the way by which he is to begin the administration which will ensue when that kingdom is established. There is Kingdom prepared from the foundation of the world for the right eous and punishment prepared for the devil and those who willfully choose to do his will. Those who cast their lot with his must go with him to spend eternity. They themselves sit fin Judgment upon themselves, judge ahemselves not worthy.
 The chief value of these lessons dur ing this quarter is in the revelation
 which they give us of the fact that
 when our Lord made that last tourney to Jerusalem 1t was not to the death of a victim. one who was mastered by circumstances. who could not escape;
 but as king, As he marched along
 that pathway setting his face stead
 Hastily" he perfectly understood, and
 resolutely faced passion by means
 Of which he was accomplishing the 1 purposes of God and beyond the dark 1 mess of which he saw the hriphtneas of