Evening star., 1925-09-19
Sunday School Lesson

, their positions in the expectancy of
Christ's coming at certain day. The
hope Of the Lords immediate return
served to console the TheSSalonlans
during their trials. trouble and tribula-
tion as it encouraged them with the
idea of a speedy deliverance. History
is full of the records of the abuse OF
this glorious hope of the Christians
by fanatical credulity that finds In
every earthquake, eclipse, pestilence
or war a premonition that Christ
would soon appear Some have taken
up their residence in the Holy Land
as they believed that His visible ap
pearance would be in Palestine.
The Apostolic Minister.
Paul dictated the first letter to the
The mastery of a lifelong habit could
that filled the church with intense eX-
element. Enthusiasm and fanati-
cism were rampant; confusion pre-
vailed discipline was defied, and con-
troversy ragged" His calloused hands
prevented him from making the best
use of the expensive parchment, even
II his eyeSight were good enough for
him to see how TO do 1t. He spoke
rapidly and jumped from one theme
to another as his great heart beat in
sympathy with the church that he
of pastor to correct their errors.
The second letter. like the first. grew
out of his desire to clear up their
faith concerning the return of the
Lord Jesus.
The apostle revealed his skill as a
diplomat by the manner in which he
sought to correct the church. He did
| not start criticiZing them, but poured
out his heart in praise for their
loyalty. He recalled His ministry
among them. pointing out how by his
motive and meth Is he disproved the
slanders and charges against him as
| minister OF the gospel. Phillips
Brooks has defined preaching as the
presentation of truth through per
sonality. The second cha pter of the
First Letter to the Thessalonians is
''one of the most thrilling sections of
the New Testament. revealin~ as 1t
does the heart of the true pastor 1t
is so intimate, so personal. so direct
and practical that 1t gives US fine
insight into the apostles spirit and
method of work He cites his courage
sincerity, love and fidelity TO Christ
Jesus because the spirit reveals the
man. He knew that his motives were
pure and grew out of his consecrating
and concentrating his all to the work
of the Lord Jesus. He recalled that
ne had been tested or the Loru De
fore he commenced to use the methods
of the Master in an Impartial, faith
full, self-sacrificial manner, seeking to
win them by his fatherly spirit and
methods The goal of Paufs min
istry was men. not means. lie was
not after the possessions OF men, but
after their personalities. He wanted
not their boards, but their hearts. He
came to give them something rather
than have them give to him.
Apostolic Truth.
Having corrected any false views
concerning his own motives and man
ner of service, he could call upon them
to be followers OF him, as he had
lived the Christ life among them. BY
so doing he condemned the members
of the church who, looking for the
Lord to return at the dawn of every
day, had given up work. mis- had
put a tremendous burden upon the
poor fund of the church and filled
the church members with resentment
against those who did not toll and
expected that the others would sup
port them He called upon them to
exercise ''brotherly love" in aiding