Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1918-01-05
Sunday School Lesson
BY MRS. l. N. oRMseY,
General Secretary Idaho State Sun.
day School Association.
IMpRovEo UNIFORM LEssoNs.

actly the same as the other forms OF
graded lessons" to adapt material to
the different grades. The denomina-
tional boards agree in asking that no
school using graded lessons should
change. as the strictly graded are con-
sidered best for use in schools, at
least in the lower grades
For six months we are to study the
Gospel of Mark. 1t would be well for
every student to read the entire booe,
noting the characteristics and "the
why" of the Gospel.
l. In this book as in none Of the
other gospels emphasis is placed on
what Christ was-power. This was
done because this book was written to
the Romans. They cared nothing
about the ancestors of a man, but were
concerned in knowing what he was and
what he did.
Mark is the shortest gospel of the
four. 1t has 16 chapters. six of which
are devoted to the last week of Christ's
life. Matthew has 20, Luke "a and
John % chapters.
This gospel is confined wholly to the
most active period of Christ's life. The
words inHnediate and straightway are
used over 40 times. 1t represents
Jesus as the mighty wonder worker
and is intended for nation who were
masters of the world. for Romans,
among whom energy and will were al
most deified. 1t is gospel of activ-
ity: 1t is the gospel of victory; 1t is
the gospel Of triumph.
Mark was written some time before
the destruction of Jerusalem--probab
ly before the year 60.
In the first words of this gospel the
attention is challenged by the declara-
ton that prophecies, hundreds of years
old, are being fulfilled. He also chal-
lenges the attention Of the Jews and
establishes the right of this new
teacher to speak with authority.
Mark IL: Beginning of the gospel
of Jesus Christ, the Son of God" The
Jews prided themselves on the fact
that Jesus was to be a descendant OF
David. Thus he would belong to the
Jews; Mark says the Son of God.
Here begins the conflict with the Jews
for this great Redeemer they have
looked for SO long is presented to the
Romans as their redeemer as we'll as
the chosen people.
The author certainly understands
how to rouse interest, excite expecta :
ton. and insure continued attention.
The gospel is divided into three
parts. chapters /: 1-13.
Int.rduction-H. I:14 to $50, the
GaliHtn ministry; Ill to 1920, pas
sion week. The setting of the gospel
I'm Galillee. the most northerly of
the four provinces of Palestine. II
was the great highway from Egypt 20
Damascus, and from the Euphrates TO
Phoenicia. Many large cities were
here which were perfect beehives OF
swarming human life. The territory
about the lake bore abundant crops and
fruits of every description, and the wa
ters teemed with fish, affording en-
ployment to thousands of fishermen.
Whatever was done here would be
quickly reported throughout Palestine
and in the eastern as well as the west
ern world centers. The caravans were
the great news carriers. Jerusalem
was somewhat to one side OF the grea,
trunk lines of travel in those days.
In the second part of the gospel tho
scene is laid in Jerusalem and Its vic
unity. as it must needs be II the Christ
was to offer himself as the Messiah
first to the Jews. and then as the sa-
viour Of all mankind.
The Introduction, Mark 1:1-13. The
whole world was longing for messag,
of good news, and now comes the start
ling words: Here beginneth the goot
news for the best news that ever
came to the world was the message
from heaven that has come to be
known as THE Gospel" There Is
only one gospel. There are many re-
ligions among men; almost all Of then
are Iaws-codes of precepts for the
| guidance of life, but there is only one
gospel. The angels gave it that name
and many can testify that it has meant
| that in their lives. At one time Ten
nyson asked an old woman If there
| was any news. She replied: why
| Mr.. Tennyson, there's only one piece
| of news that I know: that Is, Chris