The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-11-12
Lesson for November IA

Lesson subjects and Scripture texts sc.
lected and copyrighted by international
Council Of Religious Education; USED py
permission.
THE SANCTITY OF THE HOME
LESSON TExT-Exodus 2o:14; Matthew
5:27-30; Mark 10:2-12.
GOLDEN TEXT-Blessed are the pure in
heart: for they shall see God.-Matthew 5:8.
AS the divinely appointed center
of mans life, the home holds a
place Of such Importance that it is
the special target of Satan's often
sive. That has always been true,
but it seems that in recent years the
onslaught against the home has been
intensified.
Books, plays, movies, magazines,
all contribute their filthy efforts to
break down all sense of moral re-
sponsibility. Sex Is magnified, and
not in any useful or normal sense,
but rather for the stimulating Of un-
holy desires and purposes, the
breaking down of Christian stand
ards of living, and the ultimate pros
titution of the most sacred Of all
human relationships to the lowest
level of which animals might well
be ashamed.
All this means that this lesson
should be taught with holy bold
ness and plainness which will make
it effective for God in our homes.
We do not like to talk about adult
terry and related sins. We must
speak with care and tact, but per-
haps the time has come for some
straightforward dealing with an un-
pleasant situation.
I. Protect the Purity Of the Home
(Exod. 20:14; Matt. 5:27-30).
Any violation of the divine plan
for the marriage Of one man and
one woman, in loving communion
for the founding and maintenance Of
the home, is a direct violation of
the law of God.
1t is also a violation of the law Of
man. It brings serious results in
the destruction Of the home, and in
the ruin of individual Metaphysical,
moral and spiritual.
The words of Jesus broaden the
Interpretation of the commandment
to cover all sexual impurity in
thought, word, or deed.
We are to be firm and definite in
our dealing with this temptation to
moral uncleanness even though it be
as painful as tearing out an eye or
losing a hand. The command here
is not necessarily to be interpreted
literally. Tearing out an eye will
not help if there is lust in the heart.
The point is, 60 to the root of the
matter, and get rid of it even if it
hurts. Most of us are far too easy
on our sinful impulses. We daily
with them when we should destroy
them.
iii. Recognize Marriage as q Di-
vine Institution mark 1929.
The Pharisees, who had devised
some ingenious schemes for getting
rid of an undesired wife, wanted to
get Jesus involved in the question.
They put him up against Moses who
had allowed divorce.
Jesus made it clear that this was
not in accord with Gods plan and
only took place because of their sim
full hardheartedness.
AS a proper background for the
discussion of divorce He set up the
divine origin of marriage. He made
it clear that marriage was ordained
by God, and that it involves holy
union of two individuals which
makes them one.
ALI those who look forward to mar
riage should realize that it is not a
casual thing, or a merely temporary
legal contract. It is a union for
life-be it for better or worse, in
sickness or health, in prosperity or
adversely. All who are married
should highly regard their sacred
vows.
The high place Of marriage in
Christian teaching dignifies that re-
lationship and denies the mislead-
ing and destructive theories Of men.
III. Follow Gods Law ON Divorce
mark 10:9-12). ~
Failure to observe Gods law in
these matters may involve a person
in the guilt of gross sin. This pas
sage and others teach that divorce
is to be permitted on the one ground
of adultery (Matt. 5:32).
Divorce and remarriage other
than on grounds permitted by God
involves the parties in the sin of
adultery. Men may make laws
based on the civil contract of mar
riage which provide differently, but
man cannot remove marriage from
its place as a divine institution, nor
can he add to or take away from
Gods law concerning it.
Aware, as we are, of the laxness
of some branches of the church in
such matters, and the almost entire
lack of standards in the world, we
cannot but present the plain teach
ings of our Lord and urge every
reader to follow the commandment