Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1918-01-04
Sunday School Lesson
Blu DR.. Marion McH. Hull

entS were old when he born and more than
likely died when he a small boy Left
the din and noise of the city life, where be
had time to consider the things of God. as they
had been revealed in His word: until finally, at
the right time his preparation being completed,
nc came preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom
The Preaching of the Messenger
His message was no soothing syrup but rath-
preached not some fine shhade of Judaism, but
the coming of the King. He preached not that
they should not do bad; but that they should do
good; he preached repentance and confession OIL
sin, and baptism to show that their sins had
been forgiven: for this what the baptism
of John was, merely an outward sign Of the
fact that they had repented of their sins AMI
were willing to forsake them.
The Popularity of the Messenger
That this preaching what the people
wanted, was shown by his popularity. He did
not go into the great cities OF preach from any
Of their established places of worship, but
when the message was beard, the people real
lied that that was what they needed; and by
tho hundreds and thousands they left Jerusa-
lem, with its elaborate temple worship. ana
went out into the Wilderness, to hear him
preach. And not only did people come from all
Jerusalem, but from all Judes and some even
from Galiiee. He did not mince words with
them, but spoke definitely what each needed.
He did not hesitate to call spade spade
constantly keeping in mind the one thought,
they must repent and forSake their sin and
thus make ready for the coming of the King
The Personality of the Messenger
One reason PROBABLY why Sucn CROWDS came
to hear him was bis unique personality. He
was unique both in habits, humility and vision
He dressed unconventionally; he lived on the
plain fare Of the poorest people. Instead of
being puffed up and proud at the great homag &c
that was laid him. He did not forget to tell
them that he not the Messiah when they
asked him that question; but, There will come
one after me. tine latchet Of whose shoes
am not worthy TO stoOp down and unlOose.
Then he was uniqTe in the vision which he had;
for to no other in all the world granted
h. IInrw- GVaTW hrNF
saw Him descend in the shape Of dove and
rest on Jesus, when lie baptized. That
vision changed his whole life: il made him
know that Jesus, the carpenter. was the Son
of God, the Lamb of God who taketh away the
sin of the world: and this his message
therea fter to point his disciples to Christ
Since these new international lessons are now
graded let me suggest method OF treatment:
For primary classes: Tell the story Of a strange
preacher, how he looked, what he said. what
he saw, and what it meant.
For the junior and intermediate classes, show
how boys and girls can prepare the way Tor the
King-by repentance and confession OF their own
sin, and by doing as much as they know; that
is by taking step at time.
For the senior and adult classes, show that
the great power of John as witness was MS
separateness from the world. He was SO III
fercnt from the world that he arrested atten-
tion to his message, Show also the directneSs
of his appeal and his devotion to Jesus CHRIST;
his singieness of purpose, and his conscious
ness that his own work was inadequate, WhiIe
tho work of Jesus was sufficient; Tor ne said.
~ baptiZe with water (that Is inadequate), but
He win baptize with the Holy Spirit Cthat Is
sufficient.