The Dermott news., 1918-01-03
LESSON FOR JANUARY 6
JOHN PREPARES THE WAY FOR
 JESUS.

PRIMARY MEMORY vERsE-Thou shalt call his name Jesus: For 1t Is hs that shall save his people from their sins. l Matt. 1:2i
 i INTERMEDIATE SENIOR AND 1 ADULT TOPIC-Heralds of the king. l ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR 1 TEACHERS-Isa. 40:3-5; Nal. 3:1-3: Luke 15-25; S9-s0; Matt. 3:l-l7; Luke 3:1-s; John 1i9-42.
 The first lesson for this year marks the introduction of The Improved Uni form series of International Sunday School Lessons. This series has grown out of several years of frank discuss sion and the presentation of many pro- posed lesson schemes. It Is an effort to conserve the benefits of the uni- i form system of lessons with the desire to adapt the lessons as thoroughly as possible to the modern pedagogical Idea of graded instruction for the varf- ous departments of the school: an attempt 10 provide for the whole school as thorough and as teachable uni form lesson idea as possible.
 Special topics and special memory verses and additional scriptural ma terial have been designated wherever it has been deemed possible whereby to make the lessons more helpful to the pupils of different departments It Is the beginning of an eight-year cycle, chosen with the view first. of incorporating several short topical courses in addition to the usual series on the chronological basis, and sec ond the committee had In mind the deslrabillty of more frequent survey of the entire Bible with varying meth- ods of approach than Is possible under sIx-years cycle. Finally, to har- monize in the period of the cycle the newly adopted quadrennial conven- tons of the International Sunday School association. Where no topic, memory verse or additional material Is indicated for inter-departments of schools. 1t is intended that uniform material should be employed for such departments.
 Occasionally the general title and lesson may be found to be more help ful than the special topics or addi- tional material as indicated for giv- en department Sunday school lead- CTS frankly acknowledge that this new plan Is an experiment. It is hoped. however that the long continued con- troversies over graded lessons, extra biblical material and uniform lessons may find solution in this newer plan.
 1-1, ar ,%tn nS xN servant; therefore, 1t makes no refer ence whatever to his genealogy. The key-word to this gospel is the word "straightway." which Is used more than forty times. and 1t Is sugges- tion as regards the obedience of . servant.
 |. introduction (vv. 1-3). The be- ginning of the gospel is meant tha beginning of the blessed story as told by the evangelist. Mark. Note 1t Is Q fulhlment of prophecy (Mai. 3:1; Isa. GO :3). Mark Is here moro particular ly referring to Isaiah. This is the period in the life of Christ between his temple experience and the day Of his baptism, when he first entered publically into the real history of Israel. Jesus must needs have Il her ald, even us an earthly king Is an- nounced before his arrival. Christ himself Is the living word (John :D. though the voice which announces him Is the voice of q man--John the Bap- tizer The baptism of John was unto repentance and the remission of sins. It must not be confused with Christian baptism. Some interesting questions arise as to the life of Jesus before this event-hs religious habits Uuke :16); his attitude toward the woSd of God and it's prophecies Uuke 4:17- 21); the work he had been doing in Nazareth (Mark 6 :3).
 II. The Baptixer. (vv. 4-9). To know what kind of man John waSs we must look up Mark :6 and Matt. 3 A. Ills religious convictions are inr teresting also. They were q matter of his heart U.uke 3:S), thing of his daily life Uuke 3 :10). He was . man who held to strict moral stand ard (Mark 6:1S). His method and his message were protest and warn- ing as well as preparation. Repent
  1:9). John demanded fruit" which should accompany repentance tMate- 8 s, 9). His message was nOt nA- tional but individual and his sugges- ton (Matt. 3:10-12) of future punish men. for wrong-doing Is only exceeded by the words of our Lord himself.
 III. The Baptism (vv. 10 ID. Bap- tism Is always an emblem. a symbol. (See Matt. 3 .11; Luke 3s6; Mark B: Rom. 6:4.) It is public idontificar ton, q public conservation and confes- sion of faith. Jesus Christ himSeR took the place of sinners llI Cor. t:21).
 While this lesson Is lesson of tho herald who preceded our Lord, who came to prepare the way and to usher h. hie Lspodnrn ctilJ tharQ Ia fhA Ofh0R