Evening star., 1918-02-10
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.

the church and to organize the forces
Of the new faith under the leadership
Of the Holy Spirit for the conquest of
the world, we're plain. ordinary men,
But fellowship with Jesus had ably
fitted them for their task. The mem
bership of this college was limited to
twelve. The register of the apostolic
rate groups Of four each. 1t is sig
nificant that impulsive Peter leads. and
Judas, who betrayed Christ. ends every
list. There are differences OF arrange
with Peter and Judas. always occupy
the same positions in each of the rec
ords that have been handed down in
the several gospels.
Christ has use for all kinds of men.
This is shown by the character of the
twelve. The forceful leader, Peter, was
changeable. obstinate and eowardly be-
fore Pentecost. The first martyr was
James. the quiet. self-determined man
who made the Roman Nero fear his in
loved disciple. formed the Masters
inner circle. John had deep spiritual
insight that gave him high inspira-
tion and a wonderful vision. Andrew
was minute man." who is every
emergency was ready for action. He is
best known for having brought Peter
his brother. to the Lord. Philip was
a native of Bethsaida (fish town.. and
to be His disciple. He is considered
to have been a plodder. but 1t was he
who brought through his insistent tes-
timony the prejudiced Nathaniel the
Israelite, to accept the Nazarene as the
Messiah Bartholomew has been called
a man of prayer. while Thomas was a
melancholic doubter and chronic skep-
tic. Matthew. the gifted biographer Of
the Lord. records that he belonged to
the despised publican class. yet this
a
up a prosperous business to follow
Christ Simon belonged to the Zealots,
a Jewish party. and. with the others.
excepting Judas. who betrayed Christ.
is little known in history. Yet the
most effective work is frequently done
In secret for the glory of God. and is
not known to men. The Lord knows
the works OF men. even when others
do not know.
Judas was chosen because of his great
executive ability. He might have been
the leader and possessed the honor that
fell to Peter II he had not been a lover
Of money and allowed jealousy to en-
ter his heart so that for thirty pieces of
silver he betrayed the Lord. The fam
lily of Jesus. realizing His danger. tried
to prevent His work. but Christ declined
to accept their action as being friendly
yet He recognized the love that prompt
ed them as well as their lack of spir-
itual appreciation of Him as the Mes
siah. It is the man that does His will
that Christ counts as His friend and
brother. Works prove faith. Deeds es-
tablish claims to be the Lords own. II
We love Him. you will do His will and
work.
Christ is still summoning men to en-
ter into His fellowship to be fitted for
service. All are summoned to preach
the Gospel and to demonstrate their
love for Christ by driving out the evil
that exists in the world today. There
is the crying need not only for city
but for spiritual salvation
The saved soul speedily becomes an
aggressive and effective witness of
Christs power to save men Sanitation
will not save society. but salvation will,
II men accept the gospel and readjust
their lives to the divine method of life
and service The pathway to spiritual
success and effective service deman
consecrated soul. who obeys at all
times and in every possible manner the
desires of the Lord Jesus