The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-06-13

OcU0e10& the f0ucOsuR
The International Sunday School Les
son for June II is 1.-The Friend Q
Sinners."-Luke 1854; 1s:1-1t
BY WILLIAM T. ELLIS.
If the Just Teacher who two thou
sand years ago itinerated over iaI'
lee, Judea and Perea, may be salo .
have had any particular antapatny'
was surely against the ecclesiastica
leaders of his time, the emineH
churchmen, the ostentatiously piou
Pharisees From the beginning u
the end of his ministry. Jesus wa
continually puncturing the seii-ihril
ton of these religious aristocrats. ~
challenged and received their nostll
ity, and eventually they won an ap
parent victory, for they crucifiet
Him; but today the very name 0.
Pharisee, which was their pride ane
boast, is become a synonym OF Shame
Strikingly, Jesus rebuked the goos
and not the bad. He donated tne
puffed-up and pridef1l Pharisees DC,
They thought themselves better than
others, which fact. said Jesus, mace
them worse than others. He stamped
as contemplate all contempt OF oth-
ers. The basis Of our modern democ-
racy is found in the Masters stern
and radical insistence upon the SIN OF
self-righteousness, and upon the pos
abilities inherent in the common
neonle who make no pretense to spc-
cial merit.
There is but one door to the fel-
lowship of Christ: and that is con-
ditfon which all can meet. 1T deoars
none who will stoop to IT; Tor the
door to the favor Of Christ is This
man receiyeth sinners" On such
basis he accepts all who come to him
1t is the common plea OF democracy:
we are all alike in our proneness to
sin and in our need of salvation.
Every imaginative mind contem-
plates, at some time or other. the en-
trance into the eternal life and the
credentials to be presented. Ine
claims that admit men to most Of the
privileges Of earth are ineffective
here.
One man says, II am of distin-
guished birth. My family is OF the
noblest in the land. My forebears did
famous service for the state. To
him the answer comes. "Earth's dis
tinctions do not avail here"
And another says arrOgantly. II
have money. I am accustomed to
pay for what I want. I have given
large sums to charity. Let me In"
To him sternly comes the answer.
mere Is IlO SOluOu hOy W SAAO NOOA
Of heaven"
Another advances proudly, saying,
you know my name. My accom-
have mazda me famous. I
have been one of the great on earth"
This door is built not for the great.
but for the childlike." is the answer
Of refusal.
In robes Of ecclesiastical dignity
another advances and says. after
proper genuflections. II have been an
sminent churchman. My fame has
been in all the churches. 1 have shed
he luster of learning, of social posi-
lion and Of wealth upon Gods cause
On EARTH"
Spiritual pride is the worst Of tho
,ffenses that debar men from heav-
ems gates" is the stern rebuke as
The door shuts.
None of the credentials which IN
earth seem so weighty avail at this
portal. But a timorous. abashed
man, with downcast eyes comes for
ward. saying. II am only a sinner.
and 1 am saved by the grace of God
and the atoning blood Of Jesus
Christ" To him the gates Of heaven
wing gladly inward. and all the CO.
estial choir sing jubilate; fo- The
,ne and only password to the pres
,nce Of God is this which was spoken !
BY Christ. II come not to call the |
'ighteous. but sinners" The golden |
ext of this lesson is a synopsis OF all |
he teachings Of Jesus.
Two Men Who Prayed.
Clear as a cameo. Jesus portrayed !
typical scene in His description OF |
wo men at prayer in the temple.
rhe parable has a universal applica-
ion: as a literary gem 1t IS worth
"And he spake also this parable
into certain who trusted in them
elves that they were righteous. and
et all others at nought: Two men
vent up into the temple to pray; the
me a Pharisee. and the other a pub
lean. The Pharisee stood and prayed
hus within himself. God. I thank
hee, that I am not as the rest Of
mem. extortioners, unjust, adulterers,
r even as this publican. 1 fast twice
n the week: I give tithes Of all that I
ct.
But the publican. standing afar
II. would not lift up so much as his
reast. saying. God, be thou merciful
D me, sinner.
II say unto you. This man went
own to his house justified rather
han the other; for everyone that ex-
lteth himself shall be humbled: but
e that humbleth himself shall be
xalted."
wo went up to pray: oh, rather say,
ne went to brag. the other to pray.
ne stands up close. and treads on
high,
There the other dares not send his !
eye. Il
ne nearer to Gods altar trod,
he other to the affairs God.
Richard Crashaw
Some FONTS About Prayer.
There IL a world Of admonition in this
d story. First, it reveals what prayer I.
not
Self praise is not prayer. Boosting
God IL bad manners and bad re- ,
yion.
A naughty mind cannot pray. Heav-
is help. is for the humble. Self
is INSTRUMENTATION.
God is not satisfied with tho man uzho