The Sunday School International Series.
By Editor
LESSON III.—SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 1898.
BEGINNING OF THE MINISTRY OF JESUS.
NOTE.—The lesson section includes Matt. 4:12–16 and John 1:35–51. Verses 17–20 of the lesson scripture are to be committed to memory. See also John 2:1–11; 4:43–54 and Luke 4:16–31. A reference to these scriptures will show how Jesus' work had led up to that which is recorded in to-day's lesson. This is the second year of Christ's ministry, A.D. 28, and Jesus was between 31 and 32 years old. 17 "From that time began Jesus to preach, and to say, Repent ye; for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
18 "And walking by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brethren, Simon who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a
19 net into the sea; for they were fishers. And he saith unto them,
20 Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men. And
21 they straightway left the nets, and followed him. And going on from thence he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their
22 father, mending their nets; and he called them. And they straightway left the boat and their father, and followed him.
23 "And Jesus went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, and healing all
24 manner of disease and all manner of sickness among the people. And the report of him went forth into all Syria; and they brought unto him all that were sick, holden with divers diseases and torments, possessed with devils, and epileptic,
25 and palsied; and he healed them. And there followed him great multitudes from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond Jordan." Golden Text: "The people which sat in darkness saw great light." Matt. 4:16. (1) What work did Jesus begin after taking up his abode near the Sea of Galilee? Verse 17. (2) What reason did he give for proclaiming repentance? Same verse. Note 1. (3) Whom did he see at work as he walked along the shore? Verse 18. (4) What was their occupation? Same verse. (5) What invitation did he give to them? Verse 19. (6) What would he do for them? Same verse. (7) How did they respond to Christ's invitation? Verse 20. Note 2. (8) Whom else did he see as he continued by the seashore? Verse 21. (9) What was their occupation? Same verse. (10) Having extended the same invitation to them, how was it received? Verse 22. (11) What was the scope of the work which Jesus performed in Galilee? Verse 23. (12) How far did his fame extend? Verse 24. (13) What was the result of his work becoming so widely known? Same verse. Note 3. (14) What did he do for them? Same verse. (15) What circumstance shows the power of his preaching? Verse 25. (16) From what cities did his followers come? Same verse. 1. The kingdom of heaven is at hand.—Or, as in other translations, "the Royal Majesty of the heavens has approached." This is the same message as that given by John in Matt. 3:2, and the original words are the same. The following verse of the same chapter says, "This is he which was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, . . . Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight." John was preparing the way for the Royal Majesty of heaven, who came in the person of Jesus. It is also true in the sense of the common translation, signifying a greater manifestation of the kingdom of grace.
2. They straightway left the nets.—They had known Jesus before and had been with him as his followers. See John 1:35–44. But it seems that they returned to their labor after a time. Now when the Master calls them, there is no hesitancy, no indecision. They dropped their means of livelihood and cast their lot with the great Teacher, to become fishers of men. He whom the Lord calls should take knowledge of the example set by these humble Galilean fishermen. The Lord's call is still sounding through the world. Let those who hear it be swift to heed.
3. Holden with divers diseases.—No doubt diseases which were unnamed and unnamable, having been transmitted from parent to child. There were few physicians in those days, and many who called themselves such resorted to the use of charms and spells. So when the real Physician appeared among them, healing at a word or touch maladies that were incurable by any means known to them, we can understand something of the excitement of the people and the demand upon the One who could exercise such power. Palsied.—Paralyzed. "THE EPIC OF PAUL," by William Cleaver Wilkinson, 800 pages, cloth, gilt top, uncut edges. Price, $2.00. Publishers: Funk & Wagnalls Company, New York and London.
This volume is the sequel to a previous one by the same author, entitled "The Epic of Saul." That volume closed with Saul's conversion on the way to Damascus. Saul had heard the voice from heaven, and thus the poet ends:—
"Saul heard, and in his heart of hearts obeyed,
And his whole life thenceforth obedience was—
Whereof the greater song remains to sing,
If so be God vouchsafe such grace to me."
"The Epic of Paul" is that "greater song." The life of Paul is depicted with a high order of poetic diction, and with grandeur and purity of style. The poem begins with Paul before the Sanhedrin, his former colleagues. The story of his arrest is told, his defense before the Sanhedrin, his appeal to Rome, the plot to destroy him, and the counterplot of his release. Book 2 is a vivid and beautiful picture of a supposed interview between Paul and Gamaliel. And so the Epic continues in beautiful and majestic verse through twenty-four books to the end.
The design of the poem as a whole is to present, through conduct on Paul's part and through speech from him, a living portrait of the man that he was, together with a reflex of his most central and most characteristic teaching. Its descriptions are vivid, and it brings the reader's mind into close touch with the great spirit of Paul. It is a poem in which dignity, beauty, and power are commingled with a rare charm. The characters, scenes, and conversations created by the poet harmonize beautifully with those already well known in the Bible narrative. We can but wish, however, that the work were not marred with the author's wrong theory, held in common with so many earnest souls, of immortal soulism and conscious entity of spirit. Nevertheless, "The Epic of Paul" thrills and inspires. It will grow in favor as it becomes known. Here are a few lines taken at random,—Paul's words to Gamaliel, telling him of the voice he heard:—
"Hebrew the words were, master," Saul replied;
"If ever it were possible for me
To lose them from my memory, mine ear
Would hear their haunting echo evermore.
Such light, such sound, forsake the senses never.
O master, when God speaks to man, doubt not
He finds the means to certify himself."
"STUDIES IN CHILD LIFE," by Mrs. S. M. I. Henry, 8vo., cloth, 252 pages. Fleming H. Revell Company, New York and Chicago.
This little book, in the words of the preface, is "designed to be simply suggestive,—to stimulate that kind of questioning in the mind of the busy father and mother which is sure to compel an answer. It is an argument in outline for daily experience to elaborate." It is written by an earnest Christian mother of rich religious experience, of excellent home training in her youth, and of wide observation as an evangelical worker; and its twenty-four chapters, covering in a general way all phases of child life, will be helpfully suggestive to every thoughtful parent. If one does not always accept the conclusions of the author, he is stimulated to broader and better thought. May the little book be a blessing in many a home. It may be secured through this publishing house.
MODERN SPIRITUALISM, by U. Smith, 156 pages, cloth, illustrated. Price, 50 cents; paper covers, no illustrations, 20 cents. Review and Herald Publishing Company, Battle Creek, Mich., Atlanta, Ga.
This little work presents before us in clear lines and conclusive argument and evidence the origin and nature of Modern Spiritualism. The claim of Spiritualism, that it holds communion with the spirits of the departed dead, is shown to be baseless and unscriptural. Its true value is shown from the prophecy of Holy Writ. We would that its truths could be read, pondered, received by all. It may be obtained from this office or its branches.
"THE WHAT, HOW, AND WHY OF CHURCH BUILDING."—In noticing this book in our issue of November 18, we stated that its price was $1.25. We wish to say here that a paper-covered edition is published at 75 cents. It is published by J. & R. Lamb, 59 Carmine Street, New York. It may be obtained from the Pacific Press, Twelfth and Castro Streets, Oakland.
"REMINISCENCES OF AN OCTOGENARIAN," by J. K. Ingalls, 8vo., cloth boards, 200 pp. Price, 40 cents; paper cover, 25 cents. J. K. Ingalls, Glenora, N. Y.
This is a book of personal reminiscences of an old man who has been engaged in the struggles of labor reform during the last half century. Mr. Ingalls writes with sincerity and with the vigor of youth.
"THE FAMILY CIRCLE, Original and Selected Anecdotes," written and edited by H. L. Hastings, 47 Cornhill, Boston, Mass.; 318 pp., paper covers. This is No. 56 of the "Monthly Message;" price, 50 cents a year.
The pamphlet contains over 200 helpful anecdotes, illustrations, poems on a great variety of subjects, helpful to Christian life and labor. Many of them were written originally for the Christian, of which Mr. Hastings is editor.
"THREE HUNDRED SOLID HYMNS WITH TUNES," selected from "Songs of Pilgrimage," by H. L. Hastings, the July number of the "Monthly Message." Bound in manilla; price, 20 cents. H. L. Hastings, 47 Cornhill, Boston, Mass. The hymns are mostly excellent and such as the Christian of good experience loves to sing.
"THE QUEEN'S DAUGHTERS IN INDIA," by Elizabeth W. Andrew and Katharine C. Bushnell, 120 octavo pages; price, 25 cents. Pacific Press Publishing Company, Oakland, Kansas City, New York.
This book is an earnest Christian protest by women who feel because they know the wickedness of licensed fornication as demonstrated in India. The facts of this little pamphlet are worth tons of the theories and falsehoods promulgated in favor of licensed vice. It should be widely circulated; for the same evils that have cursed the women of India bid fair to obtain even stronger foothold here. Mrs. Andrew and Miss Bushnell know of what they write.
"A Summer's Fishing on the Bowery," by George D. Dowkout, M.D. Price, 3 cents; 48 pages. Medical Missionary Record, 121 East Forty-fifth Street, New York. The fishing is for souls, and it tells of a doctor's work in the Bowery mission.13"Personal Questions and Answers Concerning the Sabbath," by Mrs. S. M. I. Henry, No. 7 "Words of Truth Series," 56 pages. Price, 3 cents. Review and Herald Publishing Company, Battle Creek, Mich. May be obtained of this house and its branches. This little tract answers in an admirable way the common objections used against the Sabbath.
"The Sunday Bicycle," by William Nast Brodbeck, D.D. Price, $1.15 per 100, post free. Eaton & Mains, New York. A protest against the use of the wheel on Sunday, and a blank pledge for riders of the wheel. The spirit of the tract is good, but the fact that most people know that Sunday has no claim to the term Sabbath, or Lord's day, in the Word of God, will, we fear, make the appeal of none effect.
"The Sabbath and the First Day of the Week" (a review of a tract by Prof. H. S. Miller, M.A.), by Clinton De W. Sharp, 5 Jerusalem Street, Rochester, N. Y. Price, 2 cents. It is a complete answer, we should judge.
"Second Annual Announcement of the American Medical Missionary College, 1896-97," in Chicago. The president is John H. Kellogg, M.D. Send to the secretary, L. McCoy, Battle Creek, Mich., for catalog.