p. 668 | Signs of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 42. (8/27/1894)

THE MAY CELEBRATION ON RAIATEA.

By Iva F. Cady

I AM not sure which is considered the most important by the Raiatea people, the "New Year's" or the "May," as it is termed. For some years this custom has been in practice. The presiding minister would appoint a certain day in the month of May, and upon this day the grown people make donations in money for the foreign missionary work, and the children donate to the interests of their school work. This is considered to be the children's day, and in their minds, at least, is the greatest day of all. Though it is celebrated by religious services in the church, it is with about the same spirit as is manifested by the average American upon the Fourth of July. It is a day of general feasting, and all expect to have a "good time."

The services in the church are conducted after the same rule as those upon New Year's day. Each district has a class of singers, and where the district has enough children, it has a division of children besides the one of grown people. One class at a time takes up its work of singing and reciting in concert some portion of the catechism.

The largest division was made up of our school children, whose work was quite different from the others. Each one had been taught to arise and repeat alone a question upon the life of Christ and passages of Scripture answering the question. It took a long time, for there were about ninety children. All of their songs were those which have been translated from our hymn books, and are much more musical than most of the native hymns. The parents expressed themselves as very much pleased with the proceedings, and it was the means of arousing more of an interest in our school.

Upon this day each child carries to his teacher a plate of prepared food. It is mostly the native poi, of which there are many kinds. But for such times as this, two certain varieties are made, one of arrowroot and cocoa-nut milk, and another with banana added to these ingredients. We have to give most of it away again, for there is more of it than we can use.

This year two days were kept by the children of our school. After the usual day was over, another one was appointed by the parents for our pupils to gather here in the schoolroom, and exhibit before their friends something of what they have learned in the school.

On account of rain in the morning they were a little tardy in coming, but, in time, quite a crowd had gathered here, bringing with them tokens of their appreciation in the form of a large amount of food,—oranges, yam, taro, sweet potatoes, live fowl, etc. These were deposited by the schoolroom door, and then a speech made, presenting them to us. Of course such substantial help as that is thankfully received by us.

After opening our exercises with singing and prayer, according to the people's wishes, the next thing was an opportunity for those who desired to donate in the way of money. Little and big, young and old, responded diligently, and Brother Dean, who acted as treasurer, was kept quite busy for a time receiving the mites. The queen and her husband also added their donations with the others. All together the amount received was $82.14 of Chile money, which would be about $55 in American money.

For several months there has been a restriction upon the coconuts, so that the people here could not make copra, which is their principal source of money, so that they are quite poor just now, and, considering this, we feel quite pleased with what they have done.

We have tried to do as well by the children as possible with our many inconveniences, and leave the results with the Lord. Our work for them has drawn them very close to our hearts. IVA F. CADY.

FIELD NOTES.

By Editor

ELDER R. S. DONNELL, president of Upper Columbia Conference, is conducting tent meetings at Medical Lake, Wash.

MEETINGS held at Wild Cherry, Ark., by Brethren J. A. and J. N. Sommerville, added twelve names to the list of Sabbath keepers.

AT the recent camp meeting held at Auburn, N. Y., twenty-three persons were baptized, and Brother S. Thurston was ordained to the ministry.

ON the 29th ult. eleven members were added to the church at Urbana, Iowa, and there were several others who expected to unite at an early day.

AS a result of a meeting held at a railway station in Ouray County, Colo., a dozen persons are rejoicing in the hope of salvation, one about 80 years old.

THE local paper at Milford, Iowa, makes favorable mention of the tent meetings at that place. Arrangements have been made for the erection of a new house of worship.

THE Iowa Conference has eleven tent companies in the field. The report in regard to the effort at Brayton is that twenty-four persons have been baptized and a church organized.

ELDER W. H. SAXBY, of the Cleveland, Ohio, city mission, reports the accession of sixteen to our ranks, six of whom are the fruit of labor among the Germans by Brother H. A. Cook.

A PRIVATE letter from Gouverneur, St. Lawrence County, N. Y., speaks encouragingly of tent meetings being held in West Gouverneur by Elder S. M. Cobb. Seven are said to have obeyed the truth.

ANOTHER language has been brought into service in furtherance of our work. A temperance tract by Mrs. E. G. White has been printed in the Maori tongue, the native language of the New Zealand aborigines.

DESPITE the angry demonstrations of the mob at Church Hill, Md., and the threats that our new church there should never be dedicated, it was dedicated on the 22d ult., Elder H. E. Robinson preaching the dedicatory sermon.

THE Southern Review says that a very liberal offer comes from Demorest, Habersham County, Ga., of a fine plot of land and suitable buildings to be donated to the Seventh-day Adventists, provided they will locate a sanitarium there.

THE tent meetings at Altoona, Pa., have been fraught with excellent interest. Twenty had begun the observance of the true Sabbath, at last report, and there was an increasing interest to hear, notwithstanding several ministers had spoken against the work.

FIVE tents are in the field in Wisconsin, and good results are reported. Aside from these other workers are disseminating the truth, and a sister engaged in Bible work in the country reports eight persons decided to keep the Sabbath of the Lord.

AT the recent teachers' institute held at Battle Creek, Mich., it was resolved that the educational secretary and heads of the various schools act as a permanent committee to consider the possibility of holding a summer normal institute for our teachers next year, and to make all necessary arrangements.

TENT meetings are being held in a country place ten miles from Gainesville, Ga., by Elder R. S. Owen and Professor E. C. Keck. They report a determined effort on the part of opponents to keep church members away, for which purpose opposition meetings have been held from house to house in the neighborhood, and many false reports have been circulated.

ELDER W. C. GRAINGER passed through this city on the 19th inst., en route from his Conference charge in the Fresno district to his home in Healdsburg. He reports five converts at Hanford, where Brother Baxter Howe is laboring; also a good interest in the tent meetings conducted by Elder H. F. Courter at Tulare City.

THE following item from the Bible Echo is decidedly encouraging: "Nine persons were baptized by Elder W. L. H. Baker at Williamstown on Sabbath, July 7. There are over thirty names on the church covenant, and a prosperous Sabbath school of sixty-three members has been organized. Sabbath services are now held in five of the suburbs of Melbourne—North Fitzroy, Prahran, Middle Brighton, Williamstown, and Hawthorn."

A PRIVATE letter from Elder W. C. White, dated Granville, N. S. W., July 15, notes that the work has been opened up in Queensland, Elder Hickox having sailed for Rockhampton. Also that a meeting house was being built at Seven Hills, under the supervision of Elder S. McCullagh. Elder A. G. Daniells was then in Adelaide, S. Australia, and Elder J. O. Corliss in Sydney, N. S. W. Letters from New Zealand indicate that the work there is going forward well.

Of the mission work in Guadalajara, Mexico, Elder Dan. T. Jones says: "As soon as it was known that we had a physician in connection with our work there, and that free treatment would be given to the poor, there came in more applications for medical treatment than could possibly be attended to. The number of callers at the medical office increased until finally there were over 100 visitors a day. This gave our workers all they could do right in their own home." Thus is continued emphasis being given to the importance of the medical missionary work.

It is a significant fact that in the bitter persecutions to which Seventh-day Adventists have been subjected in the United States, as well as in foreign lands, the persecution has, with slight exception, been instigated by professed Protestant Christians. It is a proverb of the world that "coming events cast their shadows before," and from this standpoint alone it would seem that professed Protestants are to be the future persecutors of those who will teach adherence to the plain word of God. That is, they are to do the work that the Papacy has done in the past. But prophecy indicates the same thing. In vision on Patmos the apostle John was shown that near the end an "image of the beast" would "cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed." Rev. 13: 11-17.

THE SOUL'S ALMS.

By Helen L. Newman

BY HELEN L. NEWMAN.

A STARVING man? A beggar? Yea, He stood upon my threshold, here, to-day, And begged for that which oft I throw away In careless haste; and yet I said him nay!

Why gaze I at the empty threshold so? The look he gave me as he turned to go Will haunt me through all years, for now I know One kindly word had saved that soul from woe.

—New York Observer.

BISHOP THOBURN'S MISTAKE.

BISHOP THOBURN says: "In my early work I made a mistake of fancying that if I could get hold of the influential part of the community I could get hold of the masses. I have learned that this fancy is contrary to reason and history. Christianity was founded by beginning at the bottom." When will the church learn the truth of this remark. We are bending all our energies to secure the rich,—building churches to attract them, accommodating our preaching to their prejudices, and fawning over them in a soft and pleasing manner to win them to us. After all this effort little is accomplished; the rich go on in their pride, and the poor fail to have the gospel preached unto them. When will the church aim at the foundation and rescue the poor?—Selected.

A NEW MISSIONARY ENTERPRISE.

By Editor

MANY people will rejoice to learn that a special effort is to be made to reach the colored people of the South by means of a gospel steamboat. The following press dispatch gives all the information we have in regard to the matter, excepting the fact that the gentlemen referred to are Seventh-day Adventists. Surely such an enterprise, conducted in the faith of Jesus Christ, ought to succeed:—

CHICAGO, August 14.—A new gospel ship, called the Morning Star, is being fitted out in an Illinois Central slip. It is a steamer of the stern-wheel type, which is hardly ever seen on the lakes, and is going south on the Mississippi, where the missionaries, who will live on board, will labor among the negroes. The two missionaries are W. T. Palmer and J. E. White. White goes as master of the boat, and Mr. Palmer as secretary. B. F. Richards is engineer. The steamer is wide and shallow and has almost no sheer. She is constructed on the style of river craft and is eighty-four feet long, seventeen feet beam, and draws twelve inches forward, and six aft. It contains a twenty horse power engine, which runs the paddle wheel by a sprocket chain. The cabins are large and commodious, and the side of the boat is taken up with a row of windows. On top of the cabin the space is arranged for a meeting room, which holds 200 people. Forward are the pilot houses and reception room. Aft of this are the staterooms, the engine room, and galley and dining room. The woodwork is cypress and oak and is very handsome. Altogether the boat is fitted very comfortably and will make a good home. The boat has been built and fitted out by the two missionaries from money raised by selling publications of a religious nature. If their efforts among the negroes are successful, they propose to buy land and start a colored industrial school, teaching the negroes how to till the land.

PERIODICALS WANTED.

By Editor

CLEAN copies of the Signs, Review, Health Journal, Medical Missionary, and Instructor, will be used to good advantage in missionary work, if addressed postpaid to A. S. Carmichael, M.D., Ocean View, San Francisco County, Cal.

CLEAN copies of the Signs, Sentinel, and Instructor are much needed for missionary work at Benicia, Cal. Send postpaid to Mrs. M. G. Ross.

International S. S. Lessons.

"So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading." —Neh. 8:8

LESSON XI.—SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 1894.

JESUS AND NICODEMUS.

[NOTE.—The questions which follow are merely suggestive for the student on the leading points of the lesson; it is presumed that the thorough student will think of many more as he studies the subject. References, where verses alone are given, always refer to the lesson scripture printed above. All other references are given in book, chapter, and verse. The text printed is that of the Revised Version, not because it is especially preferred, but because it is not found in every family, as is the common version.]

Lesson Scripture, John 3: 1-16.

1. Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews;

2. The same came unto him by night, and said to him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God; for no man can do these signs that thou doest, except God be with him.

3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter a second time into his mother's womb, and be born?

5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born anew.

8. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the voice thereof, but knowest not whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is everyone that is born of the Spirit.

9. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?

10. Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou the teacher of Israel, and understandest not these things?

11. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and bear witness of that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.

12. If I told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you heavenly things?

13. And no man hath ascended into heaven, but he that descended out of heaven; even the Son of Man, which is in heaven.

14. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up;

15. That whosoever believeth may in him have eternal life.

16. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Golden Text: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3: 16.

NOTE.—This section includes the whole chapter, which should be studied equally with the lesson scripture, if possible. The time was the first year of the Saviour's ministry, soon after our last lesson. The place was in Jerusalem, in a guest chamber. The characters presented are Jesus, the Saviour of the world, and Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. Nicodemus belonged to the Pharisees, and was a member of the Sanhedrin, a body of seventy men whose position was respected as much as that of the Supreme Court and the United States Senate combined. His name was Greek, and means "conqueror of the people." He was a man of great influence, and an authorized religious teacher.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

1. What noted man among the Pharisees is mentioned in this lesson? Verse 1.

2. To whom did he come? Verse 2.

3. What did he say to Jesus? Id. Note 1.

4. What reply did Jesus make to him? Verse 3. Note 2.

5. What showed that Nicodemus did not understand our Lord? Verse 4.

6. How did Jesus answer him? Verse 5. Note 3.

7. What nature does the newborn being possess? Verse 6.

8. What illustration does our Lord use to enforce his meaning? Verses 7, 8. Note 4.

9. What answer did Nicodemus give to these things? Verse 9.

10. What reply did our Saviour make? Verse 10.

11. What authority did Jesus give for his teachings? Verses 11, 12.

12. Who only did he say could teach these things with authority? Verse 13. Note 5.

13. How did he foretell his own death? Verse 14.

14. In what did he say faith in him would result? Verse 15.

15. Of what is the giving of God's Son a proof? Memory verse. Note 6.

NOTES.

1. It is evident that Nicodemus was convicted of the divine mission of Jesus. "We know that thou art a teacher come from God," was evidently the expression of conviction. He felt that Christ's miracles were a proof of his divine mission, and that God must be with him; and he evidently came to learn more of him, although not willing that others should know of his anxiety.

2. Our Saviour here states the very foundation truth of his kingdom, which also meets man's essential need. Man is a sinner. The kingdom of God is righteous. Man, in order to inhabit that kingdom and enjoy its blessedness, must be made righteous also; and in order that he may be made righteous, he must be born again, born anew, or, as the margin of the common version reads, "born from above." This Nicodemus could not understand. His view of the temporal kingdom, like that held by the disciples and all the Jews, crowded from his mind the great spiritual truths which Christ taught.

3. Jesus here speaks of the agencies which enter into man's new birth. "Except a man be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." The term "water" may be here used as a symbol of God's holy word, as expressed in Eph. 5: 26, "The washing of water by the word." The power which makes the change is the power of the Spirit of God, by which the word was brought into existence. "By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth." When man is redeemed, it must be by the same power, the Spirit of God speaking through the word of God. Of course, this regeneration, or re-creation, or new birth, includes all of the other elements which enter into this change spoken of elsewhere in the Scriptures, such as thorough repentance of sin, the gift of God, such faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as will lead to implicit obedience to all of his commandments, and, of course, would include baptism into the name of Christ; and man must go through this change if he would have a part in the kingdom of God.

4. "The wind bloweth where it listeth."—Better, "The Spirit moveth where it will." The word translated "wind" is pneuma. It is translated "spirit" in every other instance in the New Testament, and we see no reason why it should not be translated "Spirit" here. Jesus had just said, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." "The Spirit moveth where it will, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth; so is everyone that is born of the Spirit." Just the same as the operations of the Spirit of God and its work are not discernible by the natural man, for that which is spiritual must be spiritually discerned (1 Cor. 2: 11-15), so the natural mind of man is not able to discern or understand the change which is wrought by the Spirit of God on the human heart.

5. "No man hath ascended up to heaven."—By this our Saviour means that no man hath ascended up to heaven to learn the things which he was teaching, and then tell them to men. He himself, however, dwelt in heaven, was with the Father from the beginning, and was teaching not only what he knew, because he had witnessed it, but what was in himself as a very part of his nature.

6. Our Lord tells us that belief in him gives us everlasting life. It therefore follows that those who do not believe in him do not have everlasting life. Jesus says to the wicked, "Ye will not come to me that ye might have life." It follows, therefore, that the wicked do not have the everlasting life, which Christ alone can give. Eternal life is the gift of God. Man possesses in and of himself by nature no life principle or power which will prolong his days beyond the ordinary life of man. If he is to live beyond this world, he must have that life which Christ alone can give. That life, the everlasting life, Christ gives to all who believe in him. They possess it here by faith. It is a power within that lifts them above sin, and brings them into connection with God. If faithful to the end, they are given immortality when Christ comes.

7. It may be worthy of our attention to note the after life of Nicodemus. Evidently this conversation had an effect upon him. We learn afterward that when the Sanhedrin would condemn Christ to death, Nicodemus asks, Does our law condemn a man before it hears him? See John 7: 50, 51. And, later, when our Saviour died upon the cross, and when all of his disciples had forsaken him and fled, Nicodemus comes forward boldly to honor the body of Jesus. See John 19: 38-40. He sees fulfilled in Him just what our Lord told him on that night of his first conversation with him. "As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up;" and in the darkest hour of Christ's mission he becomes a firm disciple of the lowly Nazarene.

CALENDARS FOR 1894-95.

By Editor

THE calendars of most of our denominational schools are received. Vacation time is almost over, and preparations have been made for another year of active educational work. It is hoped that the coming school year will be marked by increased attendance in all our schools, and increased desire for such knowledge as will make efficient workers in the cause of the Master. From the calendars before us we note a uniformity of terms, as follows: Fall term, September 12 to December 18; winter term, December 19 to March 19; spring term, March 20 to June 18. The faculty presidents are as follows: Battle Creek (Mich.) College, George W. Caviness, A. M.; Healdsburg (Cal.) College, Frank W. Howe; Walla Walla (Wash.) College, Edward A. Sutherland; Mt. Vernon (Ohio) Academy, William T. Bland. Further particulars may be learned by addressing these officials.

THE SPANISH PEOPLE.

By Editor

THERE are millions of people who speak the Spanish language to whom free access to the word of God has been denied by the power which has had dominion over them. They have, in the last few years, been trying to throw off this tyranny, and now call for the light. To meet this call tracts and pamphlets have been prepared in the Spanish language upon the following subjects:—

"God's Gift to Man" shows how God manifested his love in sending Christ to die for the sinner. 4 pages; price, ½ cent.

"Is the End Near?" A short scriptural argument, showing the nearness of Christ's coming. 4 pages; price, ½ cent.

"The Coming of the Lord." This, while pointing out clearly that his coming is near, shows why we must be able in that day to say, "Our Father." 4 pages; price, ½ cent.

"The Temptation" treats on the suffering of Christ during his forty days' fast, and that intemperance is the root of all immorality. 4 pages; price, ½ cent.

"The Great Commandment." Jesus' reply to the lawyer's question, "Which is the greatest commandment of the law?" 4 pages; price, ½ cent.

"The Agony of Christ at Gethsemane." The title of this tract is suggestive enough of its value. 4 pages; price, ½ cent.

"The Price of Our Salvation" brings before the reader in a brief but concise manner the cost of man's redemption. 4 pages; price, ½ cent.

"Living by Faith," 16 pages; price, 2 cents; and "Righteousness, Where It Is, and How Obtained," 8 pages; price, 1 cent; are translations of Bible Students' Library Nos. 71 and 75.

"The Captain of Our Salvation" is a pamphlet of 92 pages; price, 15 cents; it shows how Christ is the Captain and Guide, the Author and Finisher, of his people's faith.

"The Inheritance of the Saints" is a collection of seven Bible readings: (1) "Inheritance of the Saints;" (2) "The Thousand Years' Reign;" (3) "The End of the Wicked;" (4) "Immortality through Christ;" (5) "Importance of the Prophecies;" (6) "The Christian's Hope;" (7) "The Judgment." Price, 5 cents.

"The Angels of God." Also a collection of Bible readings: (1) "Angels of God;" (2) "Satan and His Work;" (3) "Christ the Resurrection and the Life;" (4) "Daniel 2;" (5) "Signs of Christ's Advent." Price, 5 cents.

"The Second Advent." A translation of Bible Students' Library No. 31. 40 pages; price, 5 cents.

"This Rock." A brief treatise showing that Christ, and not Peter, is the Rock upon which the church is founded. 4 pages; price, ½ cent.

Address, PACIFIC PRESS PUB. CO., Oakland, Cal., or 43 Bond Street, New York City, N. Y., 18 W. Fifth Street, Kansas City, Mo.

CAMP MEETINGS FOR 1894.

By General Conference Committee

DISTRICT NUMBER ONE.

New England, Tyngsborough, Mass.........................Aug. 30 to Sept. 10 Maine, Bath.......................................................Sept. 6-17 New York, Delevan............................................Sept. 13-23

DISTRICT NUMBER TWO.

Tennessee River, Nashville, Tenn.....................Aug. 31 to Sept. 10 Florida, Tampa...................................................Nov. 8-18

DISTRICT NUMBER THREE.

Illinois (southern), Fairfield..........................Sept. 7-17
Michigan (State) Lansing......................Sept. 19 to Oct. 1

DISTRICT NUMBER FIVE.

Oklahoma T'y, Oklahoma City................Aug. 23 to Sept. 3 Colorado, Denver......................................Aug. 30 to Sept. 10 Kansas, Emporia................................................Sept. 6-17 Missouri, Warrensburg (Pertle Springs)..........Sept. 19 to Oct. 1 Colorado, Delta....................................................Oct. 3-8 Arkansas (Southern), Nashville..........................Oct. 19-29

DISTRICT NUMBER SIX.

Nevada, Wadsworth........................................Sept. 13-23 Southern California, Los Angeles.........................Oct. 4-14

*Appointments marked by a star will be preceded by a workers' meeting.

GEN. CONF. COM.

THE SECOND ADVENT.—Assorted Tract Package No. 3, contains 96 pages; price, 10 cents. Subjects considered—The Coming of the Lord, Is the End Near? Can We Know? The Signs of the Times, The Judgment, and The Second Advent of Our Lord. Address, Pacific Press, Oakland, Cal.

LESSON X.—SABBATH, SEPTEMBER 8, 1894.

PREVAILING PRAYER.

Lesson Scripture, Luke 18: 1-22.

1. AND he spake a parable unto them to the end that they ought always to pray, and not to faint; saying, 2. There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, and regarded not man; 3. And there was a widow in that city; and she came oft unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. 4. And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; 5. Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest she wear me out by her continual coming. 6. And the Lord said, Hear what the unrighteous judge saith. 7. And shall not God avenge his elect, which cry to him day and night, and he is long-suffering over them? 8. I say unto you, that he will avenge them speedily. Howbeit when the Son of Man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? 9. And he spake also this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and set all others at naught: 10. Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12. I fast twice in the week; I give tithes of all that I get. 13. But the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote his breast, saying, God, be merciful to me a sinner. 14. I say unto you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for every one that exalteth himself shall be humbled; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. 15. And they brought unto him also their babes, that he should touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16. But Jesus called them unto him, saying, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God. 17. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall in nowise enter therein. 18. And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 19. And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, even God. 20. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor thy father and mother. 21. And he said, All these things have I observed from my youth up. 22. And when Jesus heard it, he said unto him, One thing thou lackest yet; sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. We have in this lesson four topics, although the last one is not completed in this. The subjects are: The Unjust Judge; The Pharisee and the Publican; Receiving Little Children; and The Rich Ruler.

To what purpose did Jesus speak a parable?
Describe the character of the judge.
Who came to him for justice?
How did he receive her petition?
What did he finally say to himself?
What was it that induced him to grant her request?
What did the Lord say?
From this parable, what lesson are we to learn concerning God?
How will God act in avenging his people, in comparison with the unjust judge?
For whose benefit did Jesus speak the next parable?
How did the Pharisee pray?
To whom did he really pray?
What was the prayer of the publican?
What was the result of the two prayers?
What will be done to everyone that exalts himself?
What to him who humbles himself?
What were brought to Jesus? For what purpose?
How did the disciples like that?
How did Jesus receive them?
What did he say?
Who only can enter the kingdom of heaven?
What did a certain ruler ask Jesus?
How did he address him?
What question did Jesus first ask him in reply?
Who alone is good?
Did Jesus mean to imply that he himself was not good? See John 8: 46; 1 Peter 2: 22; 1 John 3: 5.
To what did Jesus then refer the young ruler?
What did the young man say for himself?
What did Jesus then say to him?
How did the young man receive this word? Why?

NOTES.

1. TOO MANY people make a mistake in reading the parable of the unjust judge. They seem to think that it is an illustration of how God deals with men, and an indication that we shall receive notice only by long effort. We should remember that the judge was unjust, and that God is just. There is no comparison, but contrast, between the judge and God. God is listening to hear before we ask. 1 Peter 3: 12. He has provided the way for us to come to him, and asks us to come boldly. He delights in mercy. Micah 7: 18. The reason why we are to be encouraged to continue instant in prayer, and not to faint, is that God is so kind and ready to give. "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Rom. 8: 32.

2. THE best rendering of the latter part of verse 7 is, "And he is long-suffering with them." The idea is not that God will finally listen to the cries of his people, although he will hold them off for a long time, but that he will do just the opposite of the unjust judge because he is long-suffering with them. God will not make his people wait long for an answer to their prayers. "I tell you that he will avenge them speedily." But note that this is when his people are so much in earnest that they cry day and night unto him, and not only occasionally.

3. "Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is God." As shown by the texts referred to in the questions, and by many others not referred to, Christ is absolutely good. "There is no unrighteousness in him." What then did he mean by what he said to the young man? It is evident that he could not have meant anything else than to impress upon his mind the fact that he himself was God. See John 1: 1-14. If the young man had but recognized that, he would have had an answer to his question; for "this is life eternal, that they might know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent." John 17: 3. If the young man had kept all the commandments, what could he lack? Are there duties that lie outside the range of the ten commandments? "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." Eccl. 12: 13. But the result showed that the young man was deceived. He had not kept all the commandments. Indeed, he had not kept any of them. He was covetous; he loved himself better than he did his neighbor. Thus we have the second great principle of the law violated. But to break the second principle means the violation of the first. "For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, cannot love God whom he hath not seen." 1 John 4: 20, Revised Version.

4. WORD THOUGHTS.—Faint (v. 1), to turn coward, or lose heart.—Vincent.—Avenge (v. 3), better as in margin of the Revised Version, "do me justice." "Avenge" is too strong.—Wear me out (v. 5), literally lest at last she buffet, beat, or bruise me. Wycliffe translates, "Lest at the last she, coming, strangle me." The judge seemed to think she might at last do him injury.—Long-suffering (v. 7), God seems to defer justice and to forget his people, but he does not, and he will avenge them speedily.—Publican (v. 10), Greek, telōnēs, from telos a tax, and ōneomai, to buy. A collector of Roman taxes, customs, or imposts. The Romans farmed or let out the direct taxes to capitalists, who paid a certain sum in publicum, into the public treasury. From this these farmers, or gatherers of taxes, were called publicani, or publicans. Under the publicani were the submagistri in the provinces, and under the submagistri were the portitores, or the actual tax collectors of the New Testament. Many of them were extortioners. A Greek saying was, "All publicans are robbers."—Stood (v. 11), standing was the common posture among the Jews in prayer.—Twice in the week (v. 12), the law required but one fast a year (Lev. 16: 29; Num. 29: 7), though other fasts were kept in commemoration of great national calamities. The Pharisees fasted every Monday and Thursday, between the Passover and Pentecost, and between the Feast of Tabernacles and the Dedication of the Temple. They were "righteous overmuch," self-righteous.—A sinner (v. 13), better as the literal margin, "the sinner." He saw only himself. See also 1 Tim. 1: 15.

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