The Morgan City daily review. (Morgan City, La.) 1916-1920, 1917-02-16
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON

Jesus Heals a Nobleman's Son.
John 4:43-54.
(By NJ. ]. McLean)
It is a mark Of clear knowledge
Of ones own life for a man to OBJ
serve that his character is not un-
derstood by his fellow men. It was
this observation that led Jesus on
several occasions to state that q
prophet is not without honor save
in his own country, among his own
kin, and in his own house. If ever a
man lived and died among his fel-
lows without due recognition, hid
den from the garb of common hu-
mainly, no other can compare with
Christ in this respect. He is the
Greatest the world has known, but
was to his contemporaries fanati-
cal peasant who disturbed the peace
of Jerusalem. Higher qualities of
character and greater moral, intel
lectual, and spiritual faculties pro-
duce isolation, making the prophet
without honor in his own country
and time. The more truly the pro-
phet the surer is he to be parted
from his people. It is only when his
grave has served as a stepping
stone that they attain station
where they sympatize with him.
Something of the loneliness of
the prophet belongs in the life of
every man who rises ever SO little
above the simplest round. Of human
cares and comforts. When tempted
by his visions of better life, and
venturing beyond his surroundings,
he is necessarily parted from his
comrades. He is possessed of every
part Of life found in his fellows,
but is possessed by something more.
The new Kind Of affections displace
the old, and he goes about seeking
to establish life Of all his higher
ideals. Those who go far on this way
in the end are fortunate, in that
they come at last to include more
and more of their fellows-perhaps,
al are lifted to the higher realm of
life. Most men, however, of pro-
phetic capacity do not attain the
distinction Of being prophets with
out honor by trying to incorporate
in their ideals the lives Of their fell
lows, but prefer to live q passive
life Of undisturbed hope and fancy.
The application Of the truth that
. prophet hath no honor in his own
country was pressed upon the mind
Of Jesus on his trip in Galilee. The
Samaritan woman, whom he restor-
ed to virtue and new life altogether,
fastened to the city to tell her peo-
pie. She did not ask the more re-
spectacle to come and take her in.
She proved her change by proclaim
ing the merit Of the One who had
raised her up from an unworthy life
to command the sympathy Of all
thoughtful people. Although the
Savior had gone to Galilee to take
I rest, his fame became known and
his help was sought.
The nobleman, whose son was
sick unto death, heard Of his where
abouts and travelled q distance Of
twenty miles, to ask for his aid.
The father being man Of distinc-
ton and going that long distance
himself, without any assurance that
his desire would be realized, except
the reported meritssof the Savior,
indicates the faith already held in
the minds Of many.
Sickness is 4 disorder weaken
ing ones hold upon life. No man
il immune from the attack Of dis
ease in every part Of his complex
organism. When disease gets hold Of
him, unless he is able to combat its
course, it will sooner or later weak
en- his his body to the point Of
death.
Nothing elicits more sympathy
from man than the pangs Of suffer-
ing. For the thoughtful it il . mat
ter Of daily attention. Thousands Of
the most skillful minds and hands
give their entire lives to relieve
the suffering. Millions Of men and
women, Ike the nobleman and his
wife, would give their al to cast
out the disease endangering
The life Of . loved one. But their
sympathy and desire 70 relieve does