LESSON I. July 2, 1882. prove of the permission, but was forced to yield to the cruel practices of the people of a rude age. Fourth Sunday after Trinity. CHRIST'S LAW CONCERNING MARRIAGE. Vs. 1-12. The subject for to-day is Home. We are all interested in home-life. It may be good or bad; it may be made better or worse. A true family-life is one of the greatest of all blessings. As is the home, such are the parents, and such are the children. 6. Christ carries the question back to the origin of marriage, and the law of the Creator. This law is for all nations, in all times; and all deviations are owing to the hardness of men's hearts. life, and much of that which is to come." Difficulty of obtaining divorce would make necessary greater care in the selec tion of a wife or husband. This union should not be entered into lightly, for True family-life depends on two things:"it involves all the happiness of this 1st, the true union of one man with one woman—that is, the sanctity of marriage; 2d, the proper rearing of the children. The prevalence of divorce is an evil that ought to be checked; and the neglect of religious training of children by parents ought to be remedied. VERSE 1. He arose from thence-that is, from Galilee. Our Lord now took a final farewell of His own country. This was a solemn period in His ministry. Luke describes it in 9: 51: When the time was come that he should be received up, He steadfastly set His face to go up 10 Jerusalem. He was going to offer Himself as a ransom for sinners. 7-9. God having instituted marriage, and given the law regulating it, no inferior power can modify it, or annul it. The decrees of the Supreme Court cannot be reversed by inferior courts. All who profess the religion of Christ are bound by His law concerning divorce, no matter what earthly laws may allow. That which is lawful, may not be right, just and ratified in heaven. 10-12. To His disciples in private Jesus explained His teachings more fully on the subject. They felt the strictness of the law; and He insists upon that very strictness. What Moses al2-4 On the way the people gather- lowed to the ancients, Jesus does not ed around Him, and He taught them. permit in the Christian dispensation. The Sower ever scattered the seed. But And without the letter of this law, His the enemy was there to pluck it up. The Spirit impels Christians to its observPharisees were on hand to try to ensnare ance. Love, purity, and union unto death Him. They were divided amongst -on these rest the stability and happithemselves on the subject of divorce.ness of family-life. (See Quarterly). They now refer the matter to Jesus, thinking He would join issue with one. or the other party. Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? This is an ever-recurring question. It is well that it was asked of the Master, who has given us the true answer. In Deut. 24:1 Moses gives a man permission to dismiss his wife by giving her a bill of divorce. This was not the origin of divorce; it had long prevailed Nor was it the sanction, or approval, of it; but it was rather a regulation forbidding its abuse-a prohibition of arbitrarily dismissing a wife. So we regard the law of slavery, revenge, etc. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus forbade all divorce, except for the sin of adultery. (Matt. 5: 32). 5. For the hardness of your heart, etc.; this shows that Moses did not ap II. JESUS RECEIVES LITTLE CHIL- 13. The mothers were encouraged to do so by the treatment which woman ever received at the hands of Jesus. He raised her to an equality with man-or rather restored her to that equality which she had originally enjoyed. His teachings concerning the wrongs of divorce were also an encouragement to the arents, and they brought their children. Luke says they were infants. This has been the practice of the Church. Christian parents have ever since followed the good example. Christ was pleased with the act of the mothers; but the disciples rebuked them. They may have thought it would be an interruption, or that it was unnecessary to pronounce a blessing upon those who were too young to exercise faith. So some people reason to-day against bringing children to Chri-t in Baptism. 14. How different was the conduct of Jesus from that of His disciples. Suffer the little children to come, etc. The very watchword of Christianity. Of such that is, of children, and of child-like souls. 15. The adult must exercise the trust, simplicity and docility of a child in order to enter Christ's Kingdom. This Kingdom is spiritual, and consists of all who have certain dispositions of spirit. 16. Jesus did more than touch them. Let us have a large measure of faith, when we bring children to Him. HANG ON LIKE A BEAVER. When our Tom was six years old, he went into the forest one afternoon to meet the hired man who was coming home with a load of wood. The mau placed Master Tommy on the top of the load, and drove homeward. Just before reaching the farm the team went pretty briskly down a steep hill. When Tommy entered the house his mother said: "Tommy, my dear, were you not frightened when the horses went trotting so swiftly down Crow Hill?" "Yes, mother, a little," replied Tom, honestly; "I asked the Lord to help me, and hung on like a beaver." Sensible Tom! Let his words teach the life-lesson in all troubles, pray and hang on like a beaver; by which I mean that while you ask God to help you, you must help yourself with all your might.-S. S. World. LORD SHAFTESBURY is known wherever the English language is spoken, as the representative philanthropic nobleman of England. He is equally at home at an assemblage of a Washerwomen's Benevolent Association or at a meeting for the evangelization of the South African savages. His kindness of heart is often publicly recogniz d. "I am very glad indeed to meet you, my Lord," said Mr. Spurgeon to him at a large meeting the other night; "and I have one request to make of your Lordship. It is that your Lordship will be good enough to keep out of heaven as long as it may be personally convenient for you to do so. No man can succeed in all his undertakings, and it would not be we 1 for him to do so. Things easily acquired go easily. It is by the struggle it costs to obtain that we learn to rightly estimate the value. ENTERTAINING COMPANY.-"I pray you, O excellent wife, not to cumber yourself and me to get a rich dinner for this man or this woman who has alighted at our gate, nor a bed-chamber made ready at too great a cost. These things, if they are curious in, they can get for a dollar at the village. But let this stranger see, if he will, in your looks, in your accent and your behaviour, your heart and earnestness, your thought and will, what he cannot buy at any price at any village or city, and which he may well travel fifty miles and dine sparingly and sleep bard in order to be hold. Certainly let the board be spread and the bed be dressed for the traveler, but let not the emphasis of hospitality be in these things. Honor to the house where they are simple to the verge of hardship, so that the intellect is awake, and love, honor, and courtesy flow into all deeds. "-Emerson WHAT SMOKING DOES FOR BOYS. A certain doctor, struck with the of age large number of boys under fifteen years whom he observed smoking, was led to inquire into the effect the habit had upon the general health. He took for his purpose thirty-eight boys, aged from nine to fifteen, and carefully examined them. In twenty-seven of them he discovered injurious traces of the habit. In twenty-two, there were various disorders of the circulation and digestion, palpitation of the heart, and a more or less marked taste for strong drink; in twelve, there was frequent bleeding of the nose; ten had disturbed sleep; and twelve had slight ulceration of the mucous membrane of the mouth, which disappeared on ceasing the use of tobacco for some days. The doctor treated them all for weakness, with but little effect until the smoking was discontinued, when health and strength were restored. Now, this is no grandmother's story," as the-e facts are given under the authority of the British Medical Journal. "old LESSON II. FIFTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY. THE RICH YOUNG MAN. MARK 10: 17-31. Commit to memory verse 21. 17. And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18. And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good, but one, that is God. 19. Thou knowest the commandments. Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 20. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. July 9, 1882. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26. And they were astonished out of measure, say. ing among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27. And Jesus looking upon them, saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. 28. Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29. And Jesus answered and said, Verily, I say unto 21. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest : go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast,you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethand give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23. And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24. And the disciples were astonished at his words. ren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30. But he shall receive an hundred-fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come, eternal life. 31. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. Verse 17. One, a young man, of great wealth, (see Matt, 19: 22), and a ruler, (Luke 18: 18). What shall I do? A great question. 19-20. The picture of a good young man. 21. Jesus loved him, and all who keep the commandments. One thing lacking: charitable help to God's poor. Sell-give-the greatest of all is charity. Follow Me, who became poor for others. 22. Griered-the cross was rejected. 23. Hardly--difficult. 24. Trust in riches; having riches is a hindrance; but trusting in them is a greater. 25. Camel-eye of needle, a proverb. 26. Another great question is: who can be saved? All things possible with God, for He can change the heart. 28. Left all, &c. Entire consecration. 29-31. The reward of self-denial and following Christ. CATECHISM. Ques. 28. What advantage is it to us to know that God has created, and by His providence doth still uphold all things? which may hereafter befall us, we place our firm trust in our faithful God and Father, that nothing shall separate us from His love; since all creatures are so in His hand, that without His will they cannot so much as move. QUESTIONS. Ans. That we may be patient in adversity, thankful in prosperity; and that in all things Verse 17. What question did the young dom? Is there a danger in striving after man ask? Is it an important one? 19. What answer did Jesus give? 20. What did the young man reply? 21. With what feeling did Jesus regard him? What new command did he give him? 22. What effect had these words? 23. Who find it hard to enter God's King riches? Why? To what does the heart cling? 26. What question did the Apostles ask? Can God save the poor and the rich? (v. 27.) 28. What had the disciples left? For whose sake? 30. What shall be their reward? What question did the jailor ask? (Read Acts 19:30-34). LESSON HYMN: “Jesus, I my Cross have taken.” LESSON II. Fifth Sunday after Trinity. July 9, 1882. true manhood. Go and sell all and give to the poor. That will be an heroic act great work that can spring only from a heart worthy of eternal life. If thou hast love enough to make such a sacrifice, then is thy heart already in possession of life eternal. I. CHRIST AND YOUNG MEN. Vs. 1722. This young man illustrates the truth of Christ's words, that he who would be truly saved and raised to a higher life, must be ready to give up all. He was of irreproachable moral character, amid all the temptations of youth, and of wealth. Notwithstanding all that he possessed of morality and riches, however, he was restless; his heart craved eternal life. Unlike most of the "rulers," to which class he belonged, he had faith in Jesus to such an extent as to go to Him for instruction on the most vital subjects Now the giving up of his wealth would not have purchased eternal life; but if his heart were so full of love to God and man as to lead to such sacri. fice, he would thereby prove himself a possessor of that life, whose very essence and work is love. Self would be overcome, and all would be consecrated to God-life, talents, influence, wealth. Follow me, as the Apostles have done, giving up their all, as I gave up all and became poor. But the man was sad at His running indicates his earnestness, that saying and went away grieved. He, and his kneeling shows his reverence for like almost all men, still clung chiefly Jesus. Good Master is the title which to the earthly possessions. He went he gave Him. What shall I do? What away; and what did he lose! His name great work of righteousness, in order is not even remembered. Had he folthat I may attain such eminent virtue lowed Christ, he would, no doubt, be a as Thou possessest? He is in search of well-known disciple. eternal life, a true life hereafter. 23. Riches, in themselves, are not an This certainly includes the idea of evil, perhaps; but they are likely to immortality beyond the grave. Jesus receive the possessor's love; and such at once turns the youth's attention from love is a root of all kinds of evil. And the life to the Giver of it. Who is we poor, who struggle to acquire riches, good, but God only? Thou callest me may set our love so upon wealth, as to good. Believest thou that I am God? make it our god, and in the end forfeit Christ's words are not a denial of His eternal life, and go away sad. "The Divinity, but a repudiation of the idea curtain drops on him with his face turned that He is only a "good rabbi" He toward the world, and his back to heastrove to lead the man to acknowledge ven." His Divine nature. "4. The astonishment of the disciples 19. Thou knowest the commandments, is that which we all feel to-day, when says the Lord, and thereupon enumer- we meditate upon this saying of Christ. ates some of the leading ones. "Christ Who of us has not felt perplexed. Jesends the proud to the Law, and invites sus explains that trusting in riches is the humble to the Gospel." particularly dangerous; for it steals the 20. All these have I observed from my heart from better things. The proverb youth, but this does not satisfy my crav- in v. 25 illustrates the hindrances of ings. They are negative commands-wealth. er. forbiddings. What shall I do? I still II. THE GREAT QUESTION ANfeel a craving of something higher, full- SWERED. Who can be saved? It is an ever-recurring question. The answer is: 21. It is not strange that Jesus loved With men it is impossible. Only the him. He who leads an innocent life is example of Christ, His teachings, and dear to God. To mere innocence and His Spirit, can wean us from the love of freedom from overt sins there is, how-riches, and from trusting in them, so as ever, always one thing lacking. "All to permit us earnestly to seek eternal these things," which thou hast kept, are life from God. It is possible for God to good and right; but there is "one save rich and poor, by moving the heart thing" of greater value still; not only to seek spiritual treasures. to inherit eternal life, but to attain to a 28. Peter began to say, etc. The Apostles had literally complied with the law of self-denial. Theirs was no idle boast. 29-30. Nor should any such go unrewarded. See the richness of the reward, the goodness of God! An hundredfold. Not a hundred houses, mothers, etc.; but a nobleness and richDess of nature, of mind and heart, of personal worth, an hundred times greater ihan abundance of gold and silver. Any man might be a millionaire, and still mean-spirited, narrow-minded, unloving, dishonest. But a generous nature-is it not God's greatest handiwork? Such a being can endure persecutions, if need be. What he truly has, cannot be taken from him. And eternal life is already begun in him. poor 31. First shall be last, etc. Judas, for example. Last shall be first-the disciples, who became princes in the everlasting Kingdom of Christ, whose praise is in all the earth and heaven. MORMON Wagons took sunflowers along with them on their way to Utah, and Iowa farmers have a hard time fighting the pest. A single Scotch thistle planted in Victoria-the Scotchmen there had a congratulatory dinner over it twenty yeare ago-has covered tens of thousands of acres and been the destruction of farms. The scattered grain emptied from the bags of German troopships in the Revolution knocked millions off of the value of our grain crop for all time to come by bringing the Hessian fly. A careless man set out a French grape cutting in California a few years ago with phylloxera on it, and the pe t is now sprinkled along the Pacific Coast, creeping inland. Its ravages in France have cost $400,000,000. A man with a taste for peppery greens planted water cress in New Zealand, and the little plant has spread so that the local Legislature has to appropriate a round sum yearly to improve the water cress out of existance and the water courses. A kindly misguided man brought over to New York a basketful of sparrows, not twenty years ago, and the little wretches have already driven half our song birds into the woods. In South Australia the same thing was done, and the birds are clearing out the fruit crop. They will Let us say to the person who is illtempered, profane, selfish, or low minded, that just as sure as" murder will out' so sure your true condition will be discovered, though you may for a time deceive by your assured gentility. Do not affect to be what you are not, this is despicable in any one. If you wish to appear well, be natural; but take care that you work your thoughts and desires up to a proper degree of excellence. If I were advising one as to how he might become mannerly, I should say: first study your own character and strive to strengthen it where it is weak, and then it will be time for you to study the laws of social etiquette. A man's conversation is the glass through which we are able to see his mind, therefore he should avoid all coarse expressions and slang. I have seen a young lady who used slang compared to the beautiful young woman in that ancient fairy tale, from whose mouth, whenever she opened it, dropped toads and frogs. Had we known her we should probably have judged that her head was occupied by a miniature frog pond.-Our Home. That man cannot be upright before God, who is unjust in his dealings with men. |