8 “And at Lystra there sat a certain man, impotent in his feet, a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked. 9 The same heard Paul speaking; who, fastening his eyes upon him, and seeing that he had faith to be made whole, 10 said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped up and walked. 11 And when the multitudes saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voice, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. 12 And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercury, because he was the chief speaker. 13 And the priest of Jupiter whose temple was before the city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the multitudes. 14 But when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of it, they rent their garments, and sprang forth among the multitude, crying out and saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? 15 We also are men of like passions with you, and bring you good tidings, that ye should turn from these vain things unto the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea, and all that in them is: 16 who in the generations gone by suffered all the nations to walk in their own ways. 17 And yet he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, filling your hearts with food and gladness. 18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the multitudes from doing sacrifice unto them.”
19 “But there came Jews thither from Antioch and Iconium; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul, and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead. 20 But as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and entered into the city; and on the morrow he went forth with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 And when they had preached the Gospel to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, and to Iconium, and to Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God.”
Golden Text.—“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”—2 Tim. 2:3.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) As Paul was preaching in Lystra, whom did he specially notice in the audience? Verse 8. Note 1. (2) What did Paul perceive in this man? Verse 9. Note 2. (3) What did he say to the afflicted one? What was the effect of this command? Verse 10. (4) As the people saw the miracle, what did they say? Verse 11. (5) What name did they give to Barnabas? And to Paul? Why? Verse 12. (6) What further demonstration was made? Verse 13. Note 3. (7) What demonstration of protest did the apostles make? Verse 14. (8) What did they say to the people? Verse 15. Note 4. (9) What had God suffered in the past? Verse 16. (10) But what witness did He give all this time? Verse 17. Note 5. (11) What was the effect of the apostles’ protest? Verse 18. (12) Who had followed Paul and Barnabas to Lystra? What did they persuade the people to do? Verse 19. Note 6. (13) How did God further work in behalf of His cause? Where then did the apostles go? Verse 20. (14) After preaching in Derbe, how was their courage in the Lord manifested? Verse 21. (15) What was their special work on the return trip? Verse 22.
Besides the notes, read the article of the same title as the lesson, in the fore part of paper.
NOTES.
1. After leaving Antioch, as noted in last week's lesson, Paul and Barnabas went to Iconium, where, in the face of much opposition from the Jews, they abode a long time “speaking boldly in the Lord.” At last, becoming aware of a plot to stone them, they fled to Lystra, in Lycaonia, and there preached the Gospel.
2. Faith Discerns Faith.—The discerning of spirits is a gift of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:10. As Paul had been endowed with this gift, he was enabled to see in this cripple an unusual degree of faith, even faith to be healed of a life-long affliction.
3. The adversary of truth inspired the people to worship the apostles, in order that their attention might be turned away from the true Source of power. When the truth can not successfully be denied, the enemy always aims so to pervert it as to make it serve a sinister purpose. So if this miracle could be accredited to the apostles, and worship be directed toward them, God would be robbed of the honor due to His name, and Satan's purpose would be served. It is on this principle that the Sabbath commandment is perverted by the substitution of another day than that which the commandment positively enjoins. Men could not be made to deny the commandment of God altogether, so they were led to pervert it in such a manner that virtually it would be of no effect, yet would ease the consciences of those who were deceived by the perversion.
4. Here, again, we are reminded of the result of Sabbath perversion. The Sabbath was designed to be a memorial of God's creative work, and its faithful observance would always have kept in mind the living God. But its neglect and its perversion have ever encouraged men to follow ways of their own devising—or, rather, ways instigated by the adversary of God. Note the reason of the institution of the Sabbath. Ex. 20:11.
5. The remembrance that rains, and fruitful seasons, and many other blessings which are regarded as mere natural results, are really witnesses of the goodness of God, would keep us all in closer touch with Him. Men do not realize how much they lose by forgetting God.
6. Persecution is always the devil's last resort. He would prefer to deceive, and lead men astray pleasantly. It is only when this ruse fails that his true character is made manifest; and even then he would have it appear as essential to the general welfare. He would not have allowed the stoning of Paul and Barnabas had they accepted the worship of the people. Wherever we see religious persecution, we may know that all the arts and arguments of the enemies of truth have failed.
Living by Faith
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“SLIPS IN SYNTAX”
Such is the title of one of the chapters in the new book by Prof. Geo. W. Rine, entitled
THE Essentials of Our Language
In this chapter are found, among many other helpful illustrations, the following:—
The Case of Nouns or Pronouns after the Verb TO BE
The noun or pronoun that follows the verb to be (as its complement), takes the same case as the noun or pronoun that precedes it (as its subject).
The examples below are illustrative:—
Is it him (he) you wish to see?
It might have been him (he) who did it.
Do you think it was them (they)?
Who is there? It is me (I)?
Do you think it was her (she)?
Who (whom) do you take me to be?
(Whom is the complement of the infinitive to be, and hence takes the same case as the one preceding to be. A finite verb can never have a subject in the objective case, but an infinitive MAY have.)
Should any one be punished, it will not be her (she), and it will be me (I).
I supposed it to be he (him).
I think it was her (she) who sent it.
Who (whom) did you take my uncle to be?
I proved it to be they (them) who were responsible for the accident.
Was it her (she) you saw?
If I were him (he) I would not desist.
Was it them (they) who opposed the scheme?
It was either her (she) or her sister.
He knew it was us (we).
He knew it to be we (us).
It was me (I) that gave the alarm.
If you were me (I), would you attempt it?
He knew that it was me (I).
He knew it to be I (me).
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A Scenic Journey Through Sonoma and Mendocino
California has many beautiful sections, many beautiful valleys; but we know of none that equals, all things combined, that section of the State traversed by the California Northwestern Railway from Tiburon, its southern terminus on San Francisco Bay, to Ukiah and Willets, well into the fringes of the redwoods in Mendocino County. There is no desert country there. There is no dust and discomfort. It is the most fertile, fruitful, prosperous, well-watered region to be found in the State. It is as early fresh and green, and it holds its freshness latest. There is every variety of scenery, from the broad, fertile, homes-filled valley to mountain slopes, crystal streams, rocky canons, quiet, ideal camping places, mineral springs, hot springs, cold springs, and groves of great redwoods, sublime in their vastness. The management of the road, under the presidency of Mr. A. W. Foster, passenger service in charge of Mr. R. X. Ryan, Mutual Life Building, San Francisco, Cal., is kind, courteous, and obliging. A business trip through the valley last week was delightful, charming, and restful. Seas of every hue of greenness, sprinkled with the gold, and white, and crimson of an endless variety of flowers, everywhere met the eye. If you wish to know one of the best parts of California, visit Sonoma and Mendocino Counties.
The Martinique Catastrophe and Earth’s Instability
The recent and current disturbances in our old planet must cause some reflection among thoughtful men as to its stability and continuance. The mighty powers chained in the prison-house of the planet, the puissant chemical combinations in earth’s laboratory, have been but lightly indicated hitherto in profanely historic times. Vesuvius could overwhelm cities after a time with its mighty flow of lava, Mauna Loa could make new geography in Hawaii in days of time; but the cataclysm in Martinique took minutes for its work, where others have taken hours and days. The whole top of the mountain seems to have been blown off at once, and the city of St. Pierre deluged as by a cloud-burst of fire. In fact, the very atmosphere seemed to be aflame. Every attempt to describe the awful catastrophe seems tame. In a few minutes 30,000 persons were engulfed in an awful multiform death—crushed, suffocated, drowned, scalded, burned. One captain of a ship which escaped by a miracle, said that it seemed as tho the last day had come. At that time men will see almost universally what few were so privileged to see locally. Then there will indeed be no place of escape, and “the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.” Earthquakes, beginning about the middle of April, have brought great and sore calamity to Guatemala, involving the loss of 6,000 lives, and the destruction of much property, especially the city of Quezaltenango. Co-incident with the eruption at Martinique was one in St. Vincent, where 500 lives were destroyed. Java, an old seismic center, is also suffering greatly from earthquakes; and famine and fever are rapidly depleting the population. Famine in Russia, famine in China, and war in South Africa and the Philippines, are outbreakings of the sickness and disease of the body physical and politic of this old earth. All these disturbances are the result of sin. The old earth is abnormal, and will become more and more abnormal and diseased, till purified by fire, and renewed by the power of God. It is a poor basis of hope—this old earth. It is better to build in the everlasting kingdom of God.
Upcoming Articles on Children and Christ’s Coming
By Editor
Articles by Mrs. Mary Wood-Allen, M.D., on “The Child,” will begin in our issue of June 11, instead of June 4. That issue will be our Coronation Number. It is a splendid time to begin subscriptions. Then also will begin a most interesting series on the “Coming of Our Lord.”
An Old Friend
An Old Friend in a new form, and face, and dress, is hard to reconcile with affections of years' standing. It can not be done at once; the shock is too violent. We get to loving the old form and face. The stoop in the shoulder, the halt in the step, and the wrinkles in the face, are all dear. They speak eloquently of heavy burdens borne, of weary journeys taken, of anxious care, all for the good of loved and needy ones. And we would not change them. Like the hoar hairs, they are honorable being found in the way of righteousness. These thoughts were suggested by the new form and face of the old Review and Herald, tho not by any means feeble or senile. The new is nice, and neat, and modern, and perhaps it may be best; but we are not yet used to it. We will come to that after a while, we wish; but we hope the changers—we know not who they are—will be patient. The form is convenient. We are glad to have the Missionary Magazine merged with the paper. We get the news weekly rather than monthly. The matter of the new Review is good, alive, and earnest, but we are not yet used to its arrangement. We are, however, trying to adjust ourselves.
Christian Science and Material Benefits
Christian Science boasts of its spirituality, and eloquently contends that matter is nothing; yet in many, many cases its appeals fall most strongly upon hearts seeking material benefits, and the belief is accepted by those who at least think they are materially benefited. Of course they are taught to believe that there is no such condition as sin, no such thing as disease, yet many boast continually that Christian Science healed them of this or that or the other very material trouble of a material body. And the Christian Science healers and publishers deem the gross, material money of commerce as necessary as other mortals. God takes man just where he is, as being composed of dust, organized originally of God, endowed with a spiritual nature, and capable of great development.
OUR “CORONATION” NUMBER.
By Editor
On June 26, 1902, will take place in Britain’s capital one of the greatest coronations that earth has ever known. Mightier than Babylon and Assyria, greater than Medo-Persia and Grecia, mightier and greater than imperial Rome, measured by wealth, power, extent, and people, is the empire of Britannia; and on June 26 the coronation of Edward the Seventh, King of Great Britain and Ireland, and Emperor of India, successor of the illustrious Victoria, surrounded by millions of loyal subjects from all parts of the world, will take place, amid such pomp and pageantry as earth has never seen. Surely it is an occasion for thought and reflection; for all this magnificence and glory will pass away. Is this the climax of the hope of the children of earth? It is a good time to compare this earthly glory with the never-fading glories of the kingdom of God; this coronation with that coronation; this earthly rule with that heavenly rule. All this and much more our Coronation number will do.
It will have a beautiful front-page design of what the reign of Christ involved; a full-page combination illustration of King Edward VII. and Queen Alexandra, the royal palaces, throne rooms, crown jewels, Westminster Abbey, and Coronation chair; a picture of the late queen, and other beautiful illustrations. The paper will also contain an excellent original song and music, in sentiment in harmony with the paper.
In historical information the paper will be worth its price; in the truth it will teach it will be beyond price. It will be sold at retail for five cents a copy; ten copies 25 cents; twenty-five or more at two cents a copy.
Legislation for Churches.
During the past three years, George James Bayles tells us in the Church Economist, of New York, there has been legislation in thirteen States concerning churches, either as new laws or amendments to existing laws. This legislation is largely in the matter of corporations. Michigan passed a law in 1901 that “civil corporations connected with Congregational churches may be consolidated with the church by a two-thirds vote of the members of the church. This last,” he continues, “is a good illustration of the general tendency seen throughout civil church law to do away with the distinction between the church body and the incorporated society.” On the statute books of many States purely ecclesiastical functionaries, such as presiding elders, superintendents, bishops, and archbishops, may be constituted ecclesiastical corporations sole, and thereby exercise the functions of civil corporations by virtue of their ecclesiastical offices. And the article, as given in Public Opinion of May 8, concludes: “All denominations are now coming up to the senate legislatures for enactments that will project into the civil business affairs of the churches the essential features of particular politics, congregational, synodical, or episcopal.” It is a sign of the times showing the ever closer union of Church and State, for which Protestantism and Americanism once stood as protests.
The Post Check Currency Bill
The Post Check Currency bill now before Congress seems to be a good thing. It proposes to reprint all $1.00, $2.00, and $5.00 treasury notes; coin, or silver certificates now in circulation, and have the face of the bills provided with blank spaces so that the bill which ordinarily is common negotiable money, becomes a personal check, and may, by affixing a two-cent stamp in blank space provided, be safely sent through the mails without fear of loss. In the blank space is written the person's name to whom the money is sent, with his address. He receives it, presents it at the post-office with his signature and proof of identity, and collects his money. It is a splendid thing for the country; would do away with trips to the post-office, bank, or express-office, and would save business houses from disposing of thousands of dollars' worth of stamps every year. A fractional currency is also proposed of 5, 10, 25, and 50 cent denominations. It is a good thing, and would save great trouble and loss.
The Struggle for Universal Suffrage in Belgium
The strife in Belgium only rests; it is not dead, neither is it asleep. Just at present the Socialists are defeated; but they have neither surrendered nor forsworn the struggle. For eleven years they have been working for universal suffrage with many victories. They have stated frankly their plan of campaign. This is, in brief, as follows: (1) Extensive educational work and agitation; (2) gigantic petitions for universal suffrage; (3) memorials to the chamber of deputies from various Socialist bodies; (4) intra-legislative work by their members in the introduction of bills for universal suffrage, followed by parliamentary obstruction; (5) universal strike; (6) revolution. If the ballot were granted to all on the equal terms they propose, the plan of campaign would, of course, be withdrawn; but if not, it is a fight to the bitter end. And therefore the end is not yet.
