Newspaper Page Text
January 19, 1910. . THE PRESBYTERIAN
involves the possession of Christ, in whom are hid all the
treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Possessing this wisdom,
which is true religion, we have an interest in all the
resources and agencies of Christ's kingdom. All the issue
of life and of eternity are contributory to our welfare. "All
are yours."
A RWPPtpr thnil crV* f norlmno ?11 41
VUX/UDUV| ^/vi uupc, 111U11 till aic >UU15, 15 llltJ
thought that "ye are Christ's." To be possessed by him may
be a higher conception and a more transporting realization
than to possess him. These thoughts are so high we can
not attain unto them. But the apostle's rhetoric here is a
climax, and it reaches its height in the words: "And Christ
is God's." Surely religion does pay.
Sunday School
SOME LAWS OF THE KINGDOM.
January 30, 1910. Matt. 5:17-26; 38-48.
DAILY HOME READINGS.
M.?Matt. 17:26; 38-48. Th.?Gal. 3:7-29.
T.?Isa. 42:1-21. F.?Rom. 7:1-25.
W.?Rom. 3:19-31. S.?Rom. 10:1-13.
S? Heb. 10:1-25.
SHORTER CATECHISM.
r* oo rtrv.?*
H. Hat ia a iiiutriiL :
A. A sacrament is a holy ordinance, instituted by Christ,
wherein by sensible signs, Christ and the benefits of the new
covenant are represented, sealed and applied to believers.
TOPICAL OUTLINE.
Christ's Relation to the Law.
1. Came to fulfill, not destroy. 17, 18.
2. Responsibility o?f teachers. 19.
3. The theme of the Sermon. 20.
4. A discussion of literalism. 21-48.
GOLDEN TEXT.?"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your
Father which is in heaven is perfect." Matt. 5:48.
LESSON COMMENT.
After Jesus has set forth the character of the citizens of
UtA Tf incrrlAm fn?? fV>A r?n rtirmln*' T\?i*?r*Ao? ***** *** *
liiv/ ikiugvturn iui iiic pen liv-uicu pllx puou ul siiuhiii^ UlcIL LlltJ
Scribes and Pharisees were exalting the wrong classes, He
explained what was to be expected of these citizens in view of
their character. This we had in the last lesson. In this lesson
we finish, what might be called the introduction to the
ermon, have the theme or text stated and enter upon the discussion.
1. Christ Came to Fulfil, Not to Destroy.?At the very outset
of a discussion orf the law Christ is careful to have it distinctly
understood that what He shall teach is in no pense to be
considered as doing away with law. The law is from an eternal
God and must stand. The Pharisees had built up a great
mass of traditions which they foisted upon the people as the
law. Our Lord proposes to rescue the real law from the mass
and set it forth in its true binding force. He shows that the
law has underneath its letter a splendid and blessed spirit
which is ita mnct imnnrtont
2. Responsibility of Teachers.?So true is the fact that the
law is not to pass that Christ gives warning that we are to he
held responsible for the doing and teaching of the smallest requirement
of the law. There is a spirit of easy-going teaching
and practice abroad today that makes excuse for sin and
evil particularly if it be not what men call flagrant. This is
> evidenced by the flimsy excuses for crime offered to and acicepted
so often by juries in our courts. It is no evidence of
mercy to condone sin and crime but rather the greater mercy
consists in taking those measures that will make men realize
their responsibility and take thought for their improvement
and reformation.
3. The Theme of the Sermon.?In verse 20 we have stated
the theme of this great sermon, the text, if you please. In
considering the words of the Master we must keep this theme
in mind and it will greatly help us to understand the teaching
of the discourse. The Master is desirous that His followers
have a hasis -for their morality deeper than that of the
Pharisees. In fact He shows that the basis the Pharisees
%
OF THE SOUTH 77
have is altogether inadequate, for "except your righteousness
exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, ye
shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heavn." Our fu
ture happiness is at stake. The standard of the Pharisee
was artificial, legal, dead that of Christ is real, spiritual, vital.
As pointed out by Dr. Shearer and others, the discussion of
this theme is worked out in four divisions as follows:
1. Literalism 5:21-48.
2. Formalism 6: 1-18.
3. Covetousness 6:19-24.
4. Censoriousness 7: 1- 6.
5. Conclusion 7: 7-29.'
?
4. A Discussion of Literalism.?The philosophy of the Pharisees
in the matter of sin consisted of an idea that is still
prevalent namely, that sin lesides only in the act. A man may
think of a sinful act and really wish to commit it, but if the
act be uncommitted no sin has been done. The traditions of
the Pharisees taught this and Jesus takes up some of them
in this part of the sermon and shows that the important thing
is that the heart be right as touching these matters. This is
no new doctrine, it should be noticed. Christ is not bringing
something to the people that had not been known before. The
Wise man, for instance, says: "Keep thy heart with all diligence
for out of it are the issues of life"; and again, "Son,
give me thine heart." The whole urging of the prophets was
to tuis same effect. There are some eight sub-heads in this
sction which it may be well to state for the purpose of facilitating
the study. They are:
1. Personal Ethics (21-22).
2. Family Ethics (31-32).
3. Social Ethics (33-37).
4. Private Revenge (38-39).
5. True Honesty (40).
6. True Patriotism (41).
7. True Generosity (42).
8. The Law of Love (43-47).
9. The Real Moral Basis (48).
Only a part of these are considered in the lesson. Enoughs
of them are before us to set forth clearly the principle that
the Saviour has in mind and that He is seeking to teach us.
He takes up, for instance, the tradition of the Pharisees that
would limit sinful killing to the actual taking of a life. He
asserts that the real law means that the man who has murder
and natrea in His Heart is as guilty as he who plunges the
dagger to the heart of a fellow-being. If, even when you have
come to the altar with your gift, it occurs to you that you have
an unsettled quarrel, go and first settle the matter and then
being free from this obstacle offer the gift. Don't be obstinate,
be forbearing and forgiving. Again, do not be litigious.
Let your differences be settled without strife and in a peaceable
manner. So much for some matters of personal ethics.
Jesus discusses the matter of private revenge. The legalists
had taken a direction in the law which had been laid down
for the guidance of magistrates and had expanded it to cover
private vengeance. We need to be reminded of this fact very
forcibly in our present day life. We have a way of taking the
law into our own hands. A man must "defend his honor."
The result has been fighting and feuds and in the end, on a
still further expansion of the idea, the use of mob rule. In
verse *?u we nave taugnt us tne principle or real Honesty. Instead
of dodging behind the statute of limitations and the
bankruptcy law pay what you owe. Tnese rules of business
law were not intended to relieve men of the necessity of paying
but to give them a chance to do so. Be truly generous.
When giving service to your country or to your fellowmen do
it in a spirit of generosity. The Master also shows us the
true law of love (43-47.) It is a love that is comprehensive
and takes in all who need us.
The closing admonition of this part of the sermon gives us
the real standard: the perfection, the holiness of Father. The
higher our ideal the higher our living.
George D. Booth.
Monroe. Louisiana.
Only he who has felt the tongue of fire Is able to speak
the words that burn.