Middletown transcript., 1914-08-08

shall know them" Matt. 7:2O.
Event crowds fast upon the heels Of
eveAt during the days of this most
tragic week in all the history Of the
world. Temperance means restraint
and constrainingly proper use Of God
given appetites and privileges, hence
the significance Of this lesson as en-
phaSizing the principles Of temper
ance.
|. Sealing, w. 1914. The day fol-
lowing his triumphal entry into Jeru-
salem Jesus and his disciples journeyed
from Bethany, his abiding place, each
night, into the city. Seeing leaves
upon the fig trees, he had right
to look for fruit, for the fruit of that
tree comes before the foliage. But
none is found, and Jesus seals its
barrenness. His act was a parable
in action, Hosea 1871. Profession had
superseded possession, and Israel is
therefore to be judged, set aside, un-
til the day when they shall look upon
him whom they have pierced. Moth
ing but leaves is condemned to per-
petual fruitlessness because Of the
sin Of fruitlessness. His act was a
ratification of the condition of the
tree.
CIeansed the Temple.
u. Cleansing, w. 1918. Entering
the familiar scenes of the city and
temple, whence the hosannas had
echoed so loudly the day previous,
Jesus saw its desecration and degrads'
ton. Outwardly a delight, it was in
wardly deceitful, "a den Of robbers"
and his anger waxed hot. Everything
he saw and banished was in some way
connected with the temple worship.
Even SO the most holy things created
by the wisdom of loving God may be-
come the instruments of the most des-
picable degradation. Ostensibly in
the name of religion these temple mer-
chants were in reality ministering to
self and private gain. AS at the
beginning of his ministry so again
Jesus exercised his authority and
cleansed the temple from its pollution
and for a time ". 16) guarded it
from further desecration.
The temperance application at this
point is very clear Appetite, men
tai or physical, is a God given faculty,
but must be kept within control. Prop
erly used they are a delight, a bless
ing to the man and his friends. AL
lowed to rule and appetites are terrif-
ic task masters. Purify the fountain
of a mans heart, govern his motive
and the stream Of his acts will bless
all, himself included.
III. Forgivlng, w. POPS. The next
day on the way from Bethany to Je-
rusalem they again passed the fig
tree and It was withered. The disci-
pies marveled at the swift executions
of his curse and Peter calls attention
to it. v. 21, Matt. 21:12, 20. In reply
Jesus again emphasizes the lesson,
Have faith in God" This does not
mean that this is an explanation Of
how he withered the tree, but rather
why it had died. Israel was placing
its trust elsewhere than in God, and
therefore withers from the roots up
werd." Notice that the root is not
blasted, and beautiful tree will again
blossom forth from the living root,
So Israel shall once again spring up
into a new and fruitful nation, Isa.
27:6. Jesus teaching by this tree is
- rryharnfr1 TcRanl had
failed. They had not faith in God,
Faith can remove mountains, and no
difficulty can hinder those who have
faith in God, Mark 1928. Faith grows
upon the word, Rom. 1877, yet love is
greater, 1 Cor. 1872. If we really de-
sire the things we pray for, we shall
have them" We not only expect but
go beyond in our petition and count
as ours the things asked for The
lack of forgiving spirit will effect
ually shut us out from God. A warm
breath breathed upon the lense of a
telescope will effectually shut out the
heavens SO a shadow of doubt or
breath of suspicion of others in the
kingdom will shut us off from the an
swer to our petitions ". 25). 1t is
remarkable that Jesus links with his
declarations concerning the possibili'
ties of prayer the charge that in it
wa must exercise the grace Of forgive
ness. It is here that we learn why
many of our prayers are not an
swered.
Authority Challenged.
~. Challenged, w. 27-S3. Upon
again entering the city and the tenn