The Kansas Evangel du lieu suivant : Topeka, Kansas • 5

"COME OVEli AND HELP US." BIBLE SCHOOL STUDIES FOK 1873. UNIFORM SERIES. Prepared Specially for The Kansas Evangel by Eev. N. Butler, D.D.

the stony field? (See Ezekicl, xi: 19.) Who are like the stony field? Read the passages in Psalms, Isaiah and Revelation about this heart. Tell, in your own language what is said of that which was sown among thorns. What was it prevented this seed from bearing fruit? Is it wrong to have riches? Name some eminent servants of God that were very rich What is it in riches that ever injures men (Sec I Timothy vi 10.) HoW does the good ground differ from all the others? Can a man hear the truth and believe it, and even teach it, and not be a Christian What docs bear fruit here mean? Who among you are trying to be doers of the Word LESSON FOB OCTOBER 5, 1873. LESSON FOR OCTOBER 12, 1873. lose tho enjoyments of this.

Tho loss of worldly joy may be compensated the loss of the soul, never. He that is willing to, and does, lose worldly things for Jesus' sake, shall surely have better. He who rejects Jesus for earthly joy, shall lose all. IV. The final judgment, etc.

Verse 27 See chap, xxvi, 64 xxv, 31-46. According to His works." The word rendered works is that which is often rendered conduct. So we are to be judged, not by particular acts, but by the whole course of life. Verse 28. This verse is believed, by the best commentators to refer to the scene of the transfiguration which is the subject of the next lesson.

questions, Give the analysis of the lesson. Where are Christ's sufferings and death foretold in the Scriptures Why did Peter remonstrate with Jesus Did he understand really What is the meaning of Get thee behind me, Satan?" Of "Thou art an offense unto me What is the great requirement of every disciple of Jesus? What is it to "take up the cross?" Of deny himself 1 low dees denying oneself differ from being denied by others? How is verse 25 true? I low would you answer the question of the verse Who is to be the judge at the last judgment? What will decide our destiny then Do you try to make the general course of your life please God For what did Jesus suffer and die, and rise again Repeat the Golden Text. How was the prophecy of verse 28 fulfilled thing. And Peter did have true faith he did walk on the water and as long as bo looked to Jesus was firm upon the surface but when he saw something else besides Jesus, when (verse 30,) he saw tho wind boisterous, he was afraid, then he began to sink. Even his power as a swimmer (see John xxi, 7,) did not help him.

Even so, worldly wisdom and skill and strength ar.e of little use but a follower of Christ must look to Him, and Him alone. This Peter did again when he cried, Lord, save me." Verse 31. No one ever calls on Jesus earnestly, as Peter did and fails. (See Psalms xciv, 18.) thou of little faith," that is, Thou little believing." He walked while he had faith, but when he doubted, he sank and when his faith returned he walked with Jesus to the ship. Verses 32, 33.

The wind ceased when Jesus came to the ship, and they were soon at the land. (See John vi: 21.) There were evidently others than the disciples in tho ship probably the crew and other passengers, and when they saw these wonders, they felt they were in the presence of One who had the power of God. See Psalms lxxvii, If); Habakkuk iii, 15; ix, 8. questions. What sea did the disciples sail upon? How wide is About what time did they leave the shore How long had they been upon the see when Jesus came to them? Why did Jesus constrain the disciples to go away? How was Jesus employed nearly all night? Do we need to pray as much as lie? Does Jesus watch all ITis disciples now, as lie did them, although they see Him not? He does not always deliver from temporal trouble, but will He not always keep His people from all real barm? Mention another instance of an act of Peter like his in this case.

How was he enabled to walk "Why did he begin to sink Did he have any true faith? Did you ever earnestly ask Christ to save SUBJECT PARABLE OP THE BOWEE Matthew xiii 18-23. Head in Concert the Lesson. 18 Hoar ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19 When any one heareth the Word of the kingdom, and underitandeth it not, then eometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in bis heart. This is lie which received, seed by the wayside.

20 But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and ftDon with joy receiveth it. 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for awhile: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended- 22 lie also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the eftfe of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; whioh also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundred-fold, some sixty, some thirty. Golden Text Luke viii, 18-" Take heed therefore how ye hear for whosoever hath, to him shall be given and 'Whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have." ANALYSIS. T.

Hearing and rejecting. II. Hearing and subject: walking on the sea. Matthew xiv: 22-33. Head in Concert the Lesson.

22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples, to get into a ship, ami to go before him untcxthc other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was conic, he was there alone. 24 Rut the ship was now in the miust of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit and they cried out for fear.

27 Rut straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; itis I be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, logo to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was LESSON FOR OCTOBER 26, 1873.

doing. NOTES. I. Hearing and Rejecting. (See Mark iv, 13-20 Luke viii, 11-15.) Who the sower is, and what the field, appears in verses 37 and 88.

Here the hearts of the men in the world are particu larly intended. There, are four kinds of fields you LESSON FOB OCTOBER 19, 1873. afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Golden Text Mark ix, 23. Jesus saith unto him, If thou canst believe, all thii.gs are possible to him that believeth." ANALYSIS. I. Danger and Deliverance. II.

Failing Faith and a Savior near. NOTES. I. Danger and Deliverance. This event occurred immediately after the feeding of the five thousand, and was on the evening of the same day.

After that miracle the people were convinced of the divine authority of Jesus, and were about to take Him and make Him a king. (Bee John 14 and 15.) It is probable that Jesus fearing that His disciples might catch the danger ous enthusiasm, hastened them away. (Verses 22 and 23.) This was on the" border of the sea of Galilee. While the disciples went away, Jesus went into the mountain and spent the night, until nearly morning, in prayer. (Verses 24 and 25.) This sea is between five and six miles wide.

It was nearly morning when Jesus came to them they must, therefore, have been nearly all night in going some three miles, for the wind was contrary," and there was a great storm. (See John subject: the transfiguration. Matthew xvii 1-8. Read in Concert the Lesion. 1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into a high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them; and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. 4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased hear ye him. 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. 7 And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

8 And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. Golden Text, Matthew xvii, 5. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased hear ye him." NOTES. Verse 1. This scene transpired immediately after the one that closes the sixteenth chapter, and in it we shall find an explanation of the last verse in that chapter.

Peter, James and John." He took only these disciples on other very interesting occasions, (See Markv: 37 and xiv, 33,) probably because they were more enlightened and understood them better. The high mountain was probably Mount Hermon. Verse 2. It is believed that this scene was in the night, because Luke (chap, ix, 37,) says they came down from the Mount the next day. Transfigured that is changed, not in substance but in form.

Before the world He took the form of a ser subject: the cross foretold. Matthew xvi: 21-28. Bead in Concert the Lesson. 21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord this shall not be unto thee.

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan thou art an offence unto me for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. 24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 2-5 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he shall reward every man according to his works. 28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Golden Text, John iii, 10. For God so loved the world that ho gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." ANALYSIS. I. Jesus must suffer on the cross and rise from the dead. II.

Temptation to escape it. III. The disciple must bear the cross, for IV. Tho final judgment will be according to conduct. notes.

I. Jesus must suffer, and rise again. Verse 21. Jesus now begins to lead His disciples to understand His real character, and that His mission was to die for the world. See Luke xviii, 31.

which illustrate four kinds of disposition of heart. Those which illustrate hearing and rejecting are 1. The wayside field. (Verses 4 and 19.) The place where the seed falls illustrates the condition of the heart of the hearer. Wayside A hard, beaten path.

Paths in Judea ran through the fields the seed fell upon the hard, trodden surface, and lying exposed was easily devoured. Truth that falls upon a hardened heart, refusing to be impressed by the word, is easily caught away by unholy influences. 2. The. Stony Field.

(Verses 20, 21.) Luke has it on a rock," that is on a rock with a thin layer of earth over it verses 5 and 6. In this case the heart is hard as in the other but it has its good impulses all on the surface. Such persons admit the truth and at once form good resolution, have much emotion and are happy. But their religion is not one that has deep roots strong principles, but when any real trial comes they are dissatisfied and fall away. Verse 6 expresses it as "scorched" by the sun.

How this scorching heat has no effect upon the faithful doer of the Word who bears fruit is seen in Ps. Isaiah xlix, 10; Rev. vii, 46. 3. The Thorny Field.

(Verses 7 and 22.) These do not have insensible, stony hearts, but wicked desires are not eradicated, and like evils seeds spring up and choke the truth. Two kinds of bad influences are noticed: First, the cares or burdens of life and second, the deceitfulness of riches, that is, alluring influences of them. Luke calls them pleasures of life, and Mark adds the lusts of other things. (See Luke Mark I. Tim.

Thus, men may hear and feel the truth, and feel high and holy impulses, but all these may be destroyed by other things allowed to remain in the heart. II. Hearing and Doing. The Good and Fruitful Field. (Verse 23.) The great difference between those who belong to this class and the foregoing is that they hear the word and understand it.

Luke says in Luke viii, 15 that these "in an honest and good heart, having beard the word, keep it." The truly good man is not one who only hears the truth and assents to it, and even enjoys it, and for a little while obeys it, but he who keeps it, and cherishes it in his heart till it shows itself in his life. And just as we have, in the parable, three different degrees of sin, in rejecting the word, so we have three degrees of fruit-fulness in those who hear and understand it, an hundred fold, sixty fold, thirty fold." Give analysis. Read verses 2-9. Who is the sower 1 What is the field? What different fields are mentioned in the parable What is the condition of the ground by the wayside? What kind of a heart does this represent What scripture speaks of a heart like Although far from them, Jesus was watching them. (See Mark Jesus watches His people even when they are in trouble, and when He seems far away.

Before they sink He will coine. 1, Fourth Watch. The night was divided into four watches the fourth being between three and six o'clock in the morning. 2. Walking on the Sea.

This was a miracle. If the deliverance of his people now should require a miracle, no doubtHe would perform it. (See Rom. viii, 32.) As that bark was upon that stormy sea, such i3 oftentimes the church. It seems as though it had not its Lord with it, such little way does it make so baffled is it and tormented by the opposing storms of the world.

But His eye is on it still He is in the mountain apart praying ever loving, and ascended Savior, to make intercession for His people. And when at length the time of urgent need has arrived, He is suddenly with it; and then all that before was laborious is easy." French. Verses 26 and27 A spirit, i. e. an apparition.

So when Jesus comes in the way of affliction or a cross we are affrighted, till He in some way says, It is I be not afraid." II. Faith Failing and a Saviour Near. (Verses 28 and 29.) Peter, always most impetuot vant in His transfiguration He took the form of a God. His face and His form shine ith a sunlike glory from within, overflowing the garments He wore. The glory Hehad with the Father before the world was the glory of the only begotten of the Father." John (i, 14.) This is probably the glory in which the angels see Him, and in which Jesus will come in the last day.

Verse 3. Moses and Elijah." as glorified men, partaking of Christ's glory. See John xvii, 22, and I John iii, 2. Verse 4. Peter would have been glad to live where he could behold such glory tabernacles, tents.

But he had a work on earth to do, and he must go down from that glory, and wait till he should live in it heaven. Verse 5. A bright cloud," that is, a cloud of light, which enveloped them. Such a cloud of glory is spoken of in Exodus xxiv 16, 50 xxxiv, 35. It may be that it will be in such glory He will appear at His second coming.

A voice out of the cloud." (See chap, iii, 17.) This invested Jesus with all authority, and all His commands are as the commands of God. The apostles in the transfiguration saw the supernatural character of His kingdom saw Him as He would appear after risen and glorified as He should come again to CONCLUDED ON PAGE TWO. "Must suffer," see Isaiah, chap. liii. II.

The Temptation to escape it. Verse 22, 23. Peter assumes to admonish and correct Jesus, and to tell Him to avoid what He had said was necessary for His work. This was a temptar tion to Jesus. Thou art a snare to me.

Peter had suggested Satan's temptation. It was moreover the view the natural "man would have, that Peter suggested. Jesus could not have meant to call Peter, Satan, for He had just before called Him a rock. Jesus triumphs here as He did in the temptation in the wilderness. III.

The disciple must bear the cross. Verses 24-26. (Read Matthew 37-39.) In this suffering, Christ is an example for His disciples. (See 1 Peter ii, 21 Phillipiansiii, 10.) The fear of suffering and death led Peter to say what he did. Jesus tells His disciples that to gain the heavenly, (the better life,) they must be willing to of the disciples, says, If it be thou," not that he doubted it, but "since it be thou, bid me come." But Jesus does not bid him, nor does He say, "come to me," but simply come," that is, come if thou wilt," if he bad faith enough to try such a.