Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-20
Sunday School Lesson
Dr.. Hugh T. Stevenson.

Worship. although Ezekiel's vision
of the temple has never been completely
realized, yet his strict ritualistic forms
took deep root and helped develop the
later Judaism that had such large
influence in molding Christianity and
MohammedaniSm.
Christianity has progressed to that
extent that some see in its marvellous
development a fulfllment of EzekieFs
vision. The secret of the advancement
of the missionary forces of the church
of the Living God has been due to HIS
presence and power with His servants,
Just as Jesus promised to be with them.
Whenever the followers of the Lord
Jesus have been true to His final COM
mand for His followers to carry on
three-fold service Of evangelization,
enlistment and education for Him. they
have prospered. The missionary de-
velopment Of the Church of Christ
illustrates the progress of the stream OF
life that Ezekiel saw issuing from the
temple.
Streams Transforming Power.
The divine guide called upon the
prophet to see the marvellous trans
forming power of the life-giving stream.
Ezekiel saw the dreary desert and the
Valley of the Dead Sea changed by the
abundant supply Of life-giving waters.
Agricultural prosperity symbolized to
the exiles the evidence of divine bless
ing. 1t correctly portrays the Gospels
power to transform the lives OF men.
Begbie's Twice Born Men" with its
story Of the work Of the Salvation Army
in London could be duplicated in the
work of many a pastor. Whoever par
kaI~ ~ 1an ltr,ir1or VYof offered nv the
Lord never wants again. He Is born
anew and becomes living epistle OF the
Gospels power to save and transform
men into the likeness of Christ Jesus.
Our Lord is the only One who can save
and transform barren and sinful souls.
In the prophets vision he saw
marshes remained near the healing wa
tiers. The fact that the whole world
has not been completely changed by the
Gospels permeating power and that
some cesspools of iniquity still exist IN
our modern cities suggests that Ezekiel
may have had a vision of our own day
and seen that where the permeating
power of the Gospel has reached men
some have refused to taste of the life
giving waters. There exists the danger
that we may not do our best for the
Masters cause and have by our failures
retarded the hour, when 1.-The knowledge
of the Lord may cover the earth, as the
waters cover the sea-"
All living waters move on, carrying with
them their blessings. Stagnant waters
breed disease and death. Unless we
are helping to carry to the nations Of
the world the Gospel Of Gods love, that
has within it the power to heal their
diseases and transform their lives, we
are hindering the progress Of His King
dom among men. Everything shall
live whithersoever the river cometh."
Are we doing our part, as Christians
ought to do, to help win the world for
Christ and His Church? Jesus called
Himself the Water of Life. because He
fulfilled the prophecy of Ezekiel, that
we are studying this week. The worlds
hope for a new day that will bring
peace and prosperity to all depends
upon the loyalty and love Of the fol-
lowers Of Christ Jesus. The triumphs
of the missionaries demonstrate what
consecIated Christians can accomplish
under the leadership Of the Holy Spirit.
Their successes should encourage us TO
say to all men-Drink Of Christ. the
Living Water, and live. There will be
no end Of His government and peace, If
we are faithful to Him and obey His
command to carry the Gospel to every
creature.