The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1916-08-01
LESSON FOR AUG. 6
GREATEST THING INTHE WORLD.
Temperance Lesson.)

True ministry is in the exercise of
spiritual gifts (Eph. 4:7-15). Every
believer is a member of the body of
Christ, and therefore has a definite
ministry. Though the gifts are di-
verse, all are equally honorable be-
cause they are bestowed, administered
and energized by the Holy Spirit.
Love alone gives value to the ministry
of any gift.
|. Fill the Gift With Love wv. 1-3).
Just as the body is dead unless liy-
ing soul abideS in and inspires it, so
is the gift unless filed with the spirit
of love. This is the more excellent
way" to which Paul makes reference
at the conclusion of Chapter u. In
praiSing love Paul does not fall into
the error of criticizing others, not even
his followers, and suggests that even
he may be wanting in this trait. The
Corinthians were eager to attain ex-
cellence and to be prominent in wis
dom and philosophy; to understand
the world in which they lived; to be
scholars and teachers and improve
and correct society. Paul therefore
shows how vain are such things unless
filled with the motive of love. % The
gift of tongues. The saints in the
church at Corinth seem to have been
particularly gifted in this direction,
and to have been proud of it, och. IA:
2-23) and eager to outstrip the others.
Paul tells them that such boaSting
amounts to little. The grace of love
is a far more excellent way. (2) The
gift of prophecy. The New Testament
prophet was forth-teller, not teller
of the future. To be forth-teller was
thing to be coveted and admired, but
not unless accompanied by love. CD
Miracle working. A man can have
this In the most powerful form con-
ceivable, and yet if he has not love,
he is nothing.
ii. Love Is Known by Its Mimi
festations Wv. 40. Having shown the
absolute necessity of love Paul shows
how we may recognize it. The behav-
ior of love can be seen and known.
Paul set for us Is manifestations. Cd
ing emotion, but a fixed thought. (2)
1t is kind. Kindness in action, love
at work. 60 Love envieth not. 1t
does not grow out of selfishness, for
selfishness is the very opposite of love.
(4) Love vaunteth not itself, does not
climb to the housetops to proclaim it's
glory. 60 Is not pulled up. There is
no imitation, like a soap bubble, to
dazzle the eye. co. Does not behave
itself unseemly, that is without deli
cacy of feeling. Unseemly conduct
grows from pride and sehshness,
whereas love is the foundation of true
courtesy. 60 Seeketh not her own. Is
not looking out for self first Of all. go
Is not easily provoked; good tempered,
not irritable. To lose ones temper is
a dangerous evil. The evil is not so
much in the temper but in our failure
to control it. (9) Thinketh no evil.
Puts the best construction upon the
acts of others, making all possible al
lowances. Q0) Rejoiceth not in ini-
guilty. (11) RejOiceth in the truth, that
is, is in sympathy with all that is true.
(12) Beafeth all things; endureth
hardships and trials for the working
, out of the kingdom. Q3) Believeth all
things; not credulous but putting the
best construction upon the words or
others, and having faith in the final
outcome of every good cause. (14)
Hopeth all things; is not discouraged
in the dark and shadowy days. (l5)
Endureth all things; it goes on belleY-
ing and hoping to the end; no obstacle
can stop it. Surely such a catalogue
of the marks of love is enough to
make US all pause and mediate.
Ill. The Permanence of Life wv.
S-13). The word "faileth" here denotes
| failing in the sense of cessation, and
love is contrasted with three typical
| but passing forms Of Christian ex-
preston. ID PROPHECIES; ;" not the
| things prophesied but the gift or act
| of prophesying ". - which at best
can only partially express Gods word.
| Prophecy will pass away in the fuller
vision and wider knowledge of God
"Who is love-" (2) Tongues" The
time will come when they will not be
needed as q sign nor to enable US to
| express our varied emotions. The di-
vinely inspired prophecies tell but a
part Of what is yet to be. CD "KnoWl-
| edge" It shall be done away In the
| fuller knowledge of the eternal world
| as the light of the stars vanish before
| the rising sun. When that which is
perfect is come these lights will be
| seen to be only like the separate stones
| Of a quarry which can only be fully
understood when the whole building
| stands before US in it's completion.
| Paul gives an illustration of this truth
| from the familiar case of the growing
| child wv. II, 49,, In conclusion ".
| 13l faith, hope, love abideth, three
| graces, imperishable and immortal.
s'Hope is a fountain faith draws the
| water and drinks; love distributes the
water to Others" DR.. J. II. Jowett. But
| the greatest of these is love. (a) Love
| is greater in its nature. 1t brings US
| closer to God, making US partakers Of
| his nature. It is the one thing with
out which faith and hope are of little
| avail. (b) 1t is powerful as an in
fuence for good aud the strongest mo-
| tive for the upbuilding of chara cter.