The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-04-27
INTERNATIONAL
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON
BY w. T. ELLIS

does in the history of the life of Jesus.
Here, standing above the very soil
pressed by His feet, I unused on the
great and heart-warming triumph that
had come to Him on Olivet's slope.
Then the city was thronged with de-
vout Jews, gathered for the passover.
Their dress was as varied as that
which one could see. before the war,
on the Galata bridge at Constantine
pie. All the known world had come
up to the feast. Everybody had heard
before, or learned after reaching Jeru-
salem, of this new Teacher and Won
der-Worker, who had even raised a
man from the dead. His name was on
all tongues. The jealousy of the &c
clesiastics was freely gossiped about
Eagerness to see Jesus was the domi-
nant idea of the crowds. Wherever
he was reported to be, there the
crowds flocked. The eyes of the Jew
ish nation were upon Him. He seemed
to have deliberately gathered up the
attention of all the people and focused
it upon himself, that His sacrifice
might have its fullest force and signifi-
canoe. AS a publicity measure the
triumphal entry was highly signifi-
cent
Daring to Be a Somebody.
If not planned by Him, this trium-
phal entry was at least accepted by
Jesus. This was His hour of Mani
feStation. Not His to be obscure and
humble on this occasion. He knew
the prophecy which was to be fulfilled,
even if others did not. So the Car
penter assumed the role of Conqueror.
with simplicity, naturalness and Dig
nifty. Not a single hosanna would He
still. not a waving branch Wouid ne
deprecate. When the aristocrats
grumbled. H silenced them by Few
stern words. All siderations of
caution were brushed aside; the die
was cast and this Hero, whom the
crowds acclaimed, knew that He was
riding forward to death.
Less than two miles away He could
see-and we may be sure He looked
the knoll outside the northern wall
of the city where, within a week three
crosses would stand; and He would pe
on one of them. All that lay between
this Hill of Olivet on which He rode,
and the Hill of Calvary, which was
His destination, was clearly perceived
by Christ. Nevertheless, He smiled
with pleased eyes upon the shouting
multitudes that acclaimed Him. He
was having His hour, and it was sweet
to Him.
Later. His friends understood the
significance of this ovation. But they
did not perceive it until after He had
died. All. the clear vision that comes
to US as we look across grave! If
those ambitious followers had only
forgotten themselves long enough to
enter into the experience of their Mas
ter, they might have understood the
situation in time to be sympathetic
comforting friends. AS it was, they
failed Jesus thruout the week when
He most needed comprehending fell
lowship.
The Religion That Sings.
Everybody brought his own gift to
the triumph of Jesus. Some had
cloaks to throw before Him, after
fashion which Sir Walter Raleigh
later followed Others, agile youths,
strew. Still others had only their
voices to acclaim, and they made the
ride across the valley of the Kedron
into the city a musical festival, with
the sweet strains of David.
Song followed Jesus forever. The
news of His incarnation came with
song. His birth was announced with
a burst of melody that cleft the skies.
His high hour, the triumphal entry.
was to the music of hosannas He
went forth to His death after they
had sung a hymn" His resurrection
has put a new song into the worlds
mouth, which continues to this day.
Christianity is a singing faith: its mel
odies have been carried into earth S
remotest and darkest places.
Recently a college professor has eX-
cited a great deal of ridicule by his
attempts to revise and "modernize"
the great hymns of the Christian
church. An editorial in the Fort
Worth "Star-Telegram" satisfactorily
summarized the situation thus:
Maybe the faith of our fathers is
out of date We don't know. Maybe
advancing knowledge has made much
of the body doctrine untenable. 1t is
not for us to say that, either. But the
faith of our faith RS inspired them to
sing. They burst forth into hymns of
praise and petition, oflove and loyal
ty with such fullness of voice as to
set them ringing down the ages. If
these hymns are out of date for the
moderns, they are not out of date for
the millions who still adhere to the
old time religion, and if the moderns
must sing, then let the new hymns
come from the fullneSs of their faith
if it hath fullness. and let them not
set new-fangled rhymes to the tunes
which have been made. sacred by wears
of association with expressions of the
old faith. If theirs is really new wine
| they should not try to put it in old
bottles"
! \ World Winner.
| As that jubilant procession made
| It's slow way into the City of David,
there could be seen on the walls. on
the roofs of houses and in doorwa VS.,
many men whose black looks showed
outburst of popular enthusiasm.
Their dress betrayed them as aristo-
Gratis and ecclesiastical officials 1t
was the common people who received
| Christ gladly. These jealous critics
= were angry and dismayed. The dem
onstration seemed the notification of
all their plots. To one another they
confessed Behold. how We prevail
nothing: 10, the world is gone after
Him." Tho entirely out of accord
] a
Pharisees were forced to acknowledge,
The world has gone after him.
That word is truer now than then.
What means this world war, on a new
plane of justice and democracy and
/ freedom and brotherhood, but that all
unwittingly. mankind is following in
the train of Christ? All the triumphs
of efficiency in social service, all the
spacious consideration of human well
| fare, all the new wonders of war sur