The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1916-04-12
SUNDAY SCHOOL NOTES
Side Lights on Next Sundays
Lesson for Teachers and Pupils
Edited by. Charles K. Meyers.
CRAWFORD cou MY SUN d A r
SCHOOL AS1oCIATI0N
0HYICARE

SCHOOL AssocIATIoN
OFFICERS.
President -. Sears McHenry, Denisol
ec.-Treas. ..Chas. X Meyers, Denisol
Executive Committee
+. L. Hoffman, Denlson: VIM. Lfndbefg
: kirOn; F. l.. VanSlyke, Manila: Fl. J
Cook, Denison: Frank Woolston Deni
son; +. G.s Virgins, Dow, City.
1upsrtntondents.
Elementary Grades ........
Miss Susie Craft, Denisol
Secondary Grade, +. L. Hoffman, Denisol
-. Prof. 3. j. stiil. Manill:
Home Department ......'....
........ Mrs. f. W. Pierce, Denisor
Teacher rF RsS f. & rourteiiot, Denise,
-........ Miss Manetta Jorgensen, Val
Missionary Department ........ 49,.
........ Mrs. Anna Williams Denisol
April 1.-THE Gospel for the Gen
tiles. Acts 10.
We have for our lesson this week
a portion of the bible which has mos,
interesting things to learn about.
cannot take space to go into all the
details, but will give enough to make
the entire lesson have shape and
point. We are considering the history
of the early christian church in the
months just following the death and
ascension Of Jesus. There was much
to be learned by the leaders as to the
direction to be taken to push forward
the new gospel and give it firm fOunda'
tion. Those knowing the feelings OF
the Jews at the time when Jesus came
are we'll aware there was great hat
red for any but Jews among the fol
lowers of Moses and the scripture OF
old. 1t will be found that even Peter
was thus prejudiced and our lesson
Will show how this was broken down
in, his case.
The scriptures take us to the Roman
city of Caesarea. This city had one OF
the great garrisons for Roman sol
diers. 1t would appear that a minor
officer, centurian named Cornelius,
had become so impressed with the re.
ligion of the Jews with whom he came
In contact, that he changed his re.
ligion and prayed earnestly to the God
of the Jews and followed their Gus.
toms of giving aims to the poor. He
must have been man of fine charac-
ter and worthy to become leader in
the religion of the blessed Jesus. We
think this from the fact that an angel
OF God came telling him that his pray.
ers were noted, his charities recog-
nized and that If he would send to Jop.
pa for man named Peter who lived
with one Simon a tanner that per
son would tell what he ought to do.
With haste he sent as directed.
The scene now takes us to Joppa,
and to the experiences of Peter about
this time. 1t would seem that Peter
went on the housetop of his host and
fell asleep. He had wonderful
dream. 1t seemed to him as if the
heavens opened and there was let down
before him sheet filled with many
things which the Jewish law forbade
the faithful ones to eat A voice said
to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat"
Even in his dreams Peter did not for
get the strict Jewish laws as to what
should be eaten and he made mega
tive answer, saying he had never eat.
en- anything unclean. Three times
the sheet was let down and the voice
spoke. Awaking. and before he had
much time to figure out what the|
dream might mean to him, there came
a call from below, asking if he lived
at the house. The soldier messengers
OF Cornelius had arrived and demand
ed that Peter go with them. This he
did after receiving more instructions
as to his conduct.
The simple word painting Of the bible
sets forth a statement of events which
need little added Imagination to make
Of thrilling interest. Cornelius was
strictly in earnest. In the language|
of st. Paul "He was not disobedient|
to the heavenly vision" and prepared
himself for the visit of Peter, getting|
his household ready and inviting in|
friends. At length the messengers re.
turned with stranger and some
friends. When Peter came near Cor
nelius the Roman officer went to meet
him and fell ID worshipful position be.
fore him This caused Peter to prof.
test that he was only man and hel
babe the officer arise. To the house,
they came and IT,, was the home of a
Gentle" into which no orthodox Jew
would enter. Peter, however, remem-
bered the dream and went in without
hesitancy. He asked COrenlius whyl
heshad been sent for and then the
words Of the angel to the officer we're
told him. There then came from the
lips of Peter that important, stupen-i
dous truth which is the keynote of the
religion Of the blessed Jesus:
'.Of q truth ] perceive that God
ID no respecter OF persons; but in
every nation he that feareth Him,
and worketh righteousness, is &C.
cepted with Him."
With such an opening sentence it is
no wonder that Peter gave great
sermon and that Cornelius and the en-.
Ire company at once became follow
.rs Of Jesus, the Holy Spirit came up
IN them visibly, they were baptized
ind became practically the first Gen-I
lie converts in the religion of the ris- 1
m Savior.
JsG0d is no respecter of persons" Let
hat burrOw right down deep in con-
The king on the throne, t
heipoOr man in his hut, the white man
the black man of the
olthland, the Chinaman of the east, ]
hebrown man of India, the red man
4 the plains, all look alike to their '
maker God, and all have equal love
rom Him. 1t is strange indeed that /
ven in advanced christian America a
his truth is not recognized. The pre- il
ended white christians OF Florida, L
Georgia and kindred states
re just awakening to the truth ex- il
ressed by Peter. Few will let COL
red person sit in the same church Ii