Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-02-18
THE :EESS0NH0R SUNDAY
Parable Of The Wise and Foolish
~, Virgins.
NECESSITY :FORBEING ALWAYS READY

NEULo0Ill run DLiNQ ALHAlo HIhDI
! -.
Last Days ofthe Saviour on Earth De-
'votedsto SUI Further impressins the
Meaning of tho Earlier Days of His
Complete and suceessfuI Ministry.
>,;;:,,..l.,, g;(By, the Tcacher.) :.
}: My Eriends:- - " !F.s. g.
f'sThe subject of our last lesson, was
citizenship" Those of you WHO fol-
lowed the teSt ,wfll .rcmcmbcr how the
enemies of the Saviour, alarmed at the
powerful influence his teachings were
sIhapings overtime people, sought to bring
about confusion by appealing to the
bitter political feeling Of the times. The
land Of the Jews was governed by
king who was vassal of Rome, and
while there were many who were
satisfied with that condition of affairs.
all true Jews felt that such a govern
ment was an abpmination and an in
suit to God. There were hundreds of
thousands of them who stood ready to
lay down their lives without turning
an argument, if by so doing there was
the least hope Of restoring their coun-
try to it's former state of honor and
holiness 1t was clear. that no leader
who appealed to all the people could
continue to hold the loyalty and
respect of hoM siGes'if;hc should align
himself to either side Therefore, the
question as to whether it was right to
pay tribute to Ceasar, followed by that
eternal answer which commands un-
questioning Wedience to the laws OF
thc land.
= ,:..+::J;j: Ths4Scripture Lesson..t -, - =
The subject Of the lesson for next
Sunday might very well be comprc-
hended in the word Preparedness"
This lesson is taught in another one of
those wondelzaln pa ra blcs-thc parable
of th. Wise and Foolish Virgins and
In order to get the idea Of how we'll it
is taught let US read the parable as it
Is given in Matthew XIV! s1-13.
l.. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be
likened unto ten Virgins. who took their lamps
and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2. And five of them were foolish, and five
were wise.
3. For the foolish. when they took their
lamps, took no oil with them.
a. But the wise took oil in their Vessels
with their lamps.
s. Now while the bridegroom tarricd, they
all slumbercd and slept.
6. But a. midnight there was n cry. Behold
r., fOrih n U1TH
him.
z. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed
their lamps.
8. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give
us of your oil !: for our lamps arc going out.
o. But the wise answered. saying. Pcr-ad-
venture there wilf1 mot sbe enough for US and
you: 90 yc rather to them that sell. and buy
for yourselves.
10. And while they went away to buy the
BRIDEGROOM came and they that were ready
went in with him TO the marriage feast: ana
the door was shut.
II. Aftcrward came also the other virgins.
saying. Lord Lord. open TO u.s.
L. But nc answered and said. Verify say
unto you. I know you not.
1s. Watch: therefore. for yc know not the
day nor the hour.
The earnest reader of the chapters
recording the events in the life OF the
Saviour from the day of his entry lnto
Jerusalem on this last visit up to and
including the three days following the
crucifixion cannot fail to be impressed
with tremendous significance OF every
word that fell from the divine lips.
Some of us have known what it is 10
attend the dying hours uf 1ona
parent under circumstances where the
parent knew that death was near ana
where the only thought of that parent
was to unburden the soul for those
who were remaining behind. History
is full of the farewell messages OF
great statesmen; preachers ana others
who sought to leave behind words OF
wisdom that were; calculated to lllu-
inmate the paths of those that were 10
como after. Some Of these messages
continue to engage the profound res
apcct and concern of whole nations
But as compared with>thc things that
Christ said and did, all human mes
sa ses arc as the prattle. Of thoughtless
children.
In the parable recited above we nave
the familiar stoty Of an Eastern wed
ding, It was the custom in those days
and it is still the custom of the orlde-
groom to conduct the bride from the
home of her father to his own homc'
and this usually done at night II Is
made the occasion Of a Great fcstiVal
and JOY parade. Invited guests ana
friends participate in tourchlight pro-
nrocc,s:ons. There arc dangers OF IN
reference from the lawlcss by inc way
and the men. carry arms. Some go 20
tho home Of the bride with the groom
and accompany him on the way ana
others Join the procession at convcn-
lent points along the route. Here we
have party:of ten virgins taking up
= position probably not far from inc
home of the groom, where the fcastlne
was to be with the intention Of joining
IN the procession as it came along
There were many contingencies thal
n,ipht arise and there was no absolute
certainty as to when the wedding
party might be coming. Some OF thcSe