[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.]
NOTE.—This section includes the fifth, sixth, and seventh appearances of Jesus, recorded in John 20:19-23, Luke 24:36-43, 1 Cor. 15:5. Read those scriptures. The time is several days after the day of his resurrection. The place was on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, doubtless near Capernaum, where the disciples had often fished. During the time since his resurrection, Jesus had appeared to Mary alone, to the women, to Peter, to the two disciples on the way to Emmaus, to the twelve after eight days from the first meeting, and again the seventh time to the seven apostles by the Sea of Galilee. This last meeting was by the appointment of Jesus, as recorded in Matt. 28:16. They went to Galilee for the very purpose of meeting Jesus, and as they were surrounded by the scenes of their former labor, some of the old desires came back, and this, in connection with discouragements which had arisen because of their disappointment concerning the temporal kingdom which they supposed Jesus came to set up, led them to return to their old occupations of life. And therefore Peter suggested that they "go a-fishing." The other disciples joined with him, and they toiled all night in their own way and by their own wisdom, and caught nothing. Here our lesson opens.
4. But when the day was now breaking, Jesus stood on the beach; howbeit the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.
5. Jesus therefore saith unto them, Children, have ye aught to eat? They answered him, No.
6. And he said unto them, Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and ye shall find. They cast therefore, and now they were not able to draw it for the multitude of fishes.
7. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt his coat about him (for he was naked), and cast himself into the sea.
8. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits off), dragging the net full of fishes.
9. So when they got out upon the land, they see a fire of coals there, and fish laid thereon, and bread.
10. Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now taken.
11. Simon Peter therefore went up, and drew the net to land, full of great fishes, a hundred and fifty and three; and for all there were so many, the net was not rent.
12. Jesus saith unto them, Come and break your fast. And none of the disciples durst inquire of him, Who art thou? knowing that it was the Lord.
13. Jesus cometh, and taketh the bread, and giveth them, and the fish likewise.
14. This is now the third time that Jesus was manifested to the disciples, after that he was risen from the dead.
15. So when they had broken their fast, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.
16. He saith to him again a second time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Tend my sheep.
17. He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of John, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
Golden Text: "Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee." Verse 17.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) Who stood on the shore of the lake in the morning? Verse 4. (2) What question did he ask his disciples, and what reply did they make? Verse 5. Note 1. (3) What did he tell them to do? Verse 6. (4) What was the result of their obedience? Same verse. (5) How did this miracle affect John? Verse 7. (6) What did Simon Peter do as soon as he heard John say that it was the Lord? Same verse. (7) How did the other disciples follow? Verse 8. (8) What did they find on reaching the shore? Verse 9. (9) What did Jesus tell them? Verse 10. (10) What is said of the fish they caught? Verse 11. Note 3. (11) What invitation did Jesus give them? Verse 12. (12) Of what were his disciples fully convinced? (13) On their accepting his invitation, what did he do? Verse 13. (14) What is said of this appearance of Jesus to his disciples? Verse 14. Note 2. (15) After they had dined, what questions did Jesus ask Peter, and what did Peter reply? Verses 15-17. Note 4.
NOTES.
1. THERE is a gentle reproof contained in the question our Saviour asked. Two years before this his disciples had been called to the exclusive work of the Gospel ministry. He had bidden them follow him, and henceforth he would make them fishers of men. As his work while here was to do the Father's will, so their work henceforth was to be like his. In evident discouragement they had gone to work for themselves, and they had found their labor as directed by themselves profitless. The question asked by our Saviour, "Children, have ye aught to eat?" was evidently designed to direct their minds to the fact that they were not doing their appointed work, and had accomplished nothing.
2. THIS was the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples as a body. It does not take into account his different appearances to different individuals.
3. ONCE before Jesus had wrought a miracle for the benefit of the disciples, and it is said that at that time the net brake. See Luke 5:6. But in this instance, although there was a great draught of fishes, yet was not the net broken. The Lord would show by this that fishing under his direction, gathering souls into the Gospel net, would be a success, and the Gospel net, the precious truth of God, would be able to stand whatever demands were made upon it by those who submitted to it. One single cord of God's truth is able to hold the world if the world will depend upon it. It will be noted further that the fish which they caught were not needed for their breakfast that morning, for they found, on reaching the shore, that bread and fish were both prepared for the morning meal.
4. The words translated "love" in these verses are not in every instance from the same words in the Greek. There are finer changes of meaning brought out in the original than can be rendered into the English. The word "love" that Jesus uses twice comes from the Greek word agapao, while the word used by Peter and by Jesus the last time, is from the word phileo. Abbott says the word which Christ uses in his question, "Lovest thou me?" signifies, if not the higher, at least a more thoughtful and reverential affection founded on an intelligent estimate of character and accompanied by deliberate and well-considered choice. Peter's "I love thee" represents rather a personal instinctive love, accountable of feeling rather than of will, the affection, which, being spontaneous and instinctive, gives no account of itself and no reason for its existence. We are bade in the New Testament to exercise the first form of love toward God, but never the second. The Father is said to exercise both forms toward his own Son. Two different Greek words are also rendered indiscriminately "feed." Finally, three words are used to represent the flock which Christ commends to Peter's care,—lambs, sheep, and little sheep, the latter being a term of special affection. It will be noticed that the number of times Jesus asks Peter the question was the number of times which Peter denied his Lord on the night of his betrayal. It was no doubt a vivid remembrance of this which grieved Peter when Jesus asked him the third time. And Peter's reply to this showed that his self-sufficiency was gone. He appeals to the Lord's knowledge of himself, "Thou knowest that I dearly love thee." His humility in not claiming even the higher love showed that he was truly converted and one who was able indeed to feed and shepherd the Lord's flock. What a satisfaction it must have been to him also that the Lord, by the command which he gave him, showed that he reposed in him the same confidence which he had before Peter denied him! And what hope there is in this for every one who has at any time denied his Lord! When the Lord forgives, he forgives fully, and takes us back again to his own confidence. It is not a marvel that we should trust God; it is a wonderful marvel that he should repose confidence in us.
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SINCE OUR LAST ISSUE.
FOREIGN.
By Editor
—On May 24 the British world celebrated the seventy-sixth birthday of Queen Victoria.
—The son of Li Hung Chang has been appointed a committee of one by the Chinese Government to hand over Formosa to Japan.
—The trial of Oscar Wilde is ended, resulting in a verdict of guilty, and a sentence of two years' imprisonment at hard labor. The trial judge expressed his regret that the law permitted no severer penalty.
—A despatch states that a conflagration in the town of Konbeden, Russia, May 21, destroyed 200 houses, and resulted in 300 deaths. At nearly the same time 250 houses were burned in the village of Rushanay, and 200 people were burned to death or killed by falling walls.
—Advices from Chefoo inform us that Dr. Randle, an American missionary at Pingtu, was recently attacked by a mob of soldiers who passed through the place, and severely injured. The military authorities paid little attention to the affair. At other places placards posted in public places threaten missionaries if chapels are built. It would seem that the interior of China is an unsafe place at present, during the return of the troops to their homes.
—A severe earthquake occurred on May 18, in Italy, the center of the disturbance being Florence. It is said to be the heaviest in that vicinity since 1445, although seismic disturbances have been very frequent in Italy. Several persons were killed. It is stated that the earth's surface is never at rest from shakings of this kind, and authorities tell us that on an average every year from twelve to fifteen specially violent shocks are recorded as doing considerable damage. The loss of life and property from these convulsions of nature has been immense, though occasionally millions of dollars worth of property has been destroyed without the loss of a life. Estimates have been made, which seem almost beyond belief, that as many as 13,000,000 of the human race have perished in this manner. From a long list of noted earthquakes and eruptions, the following are a few samples of the frightful effects in loss of life alone. In the year 1137 in Sicily 15,000 perished, and 100,000 in 1693; 20,000 in Syria in 1158; Cilicia, 60,000 in 1268; Naples, 40,000 in 1456, and 70,000 in 1626; Yeddo, Japan, 190,000 in 1703; Pekin, 95,000 in 1731; Peru, 18,000 in 1746; and 25,000 in 1868; Persia, 40,000 in 1755; Lisbon, 55,000 in 1755; Guatemala, 33,000 in 1773. Of late years disturbances have been of more frequent occurrence than formerly. A few of these are: Island of Ischia, 4,000 in 1883; Greece, 1,000 in 1886; Charleston, S. C., 96 in 1886; Italy, 3,000 in 1887; Japan, 7,524 in 1891. The direct calamities of late years have occurred in the East Indies. In 1883, more than 50,000 perished in Java; in 1893, by the terrific eruption of Mt. Krakatoa, the same volcano causing the calamity of 1883 in the same locality, it is estimated that 200,000 persons lost their lives. These figures enable one to reasonably assent to the total estimate referred to above.
DOMESTIC.
—The New York police force is receiving another shaking up, at the instance of Commissioner Roosevelt. Inspector Williams has resigned, and it is stated an attempt will be made to remove Inspector Byrnes.
—Wheat has been taking a rise in the markets during the past week. On May 23 the price approached the dollar mark, and about 287,000,000 bushels were bought and sold in the Chicago Board of Trade, on that day.
—Despatches state that at least 25,000 men and women made a rush for claims in the Kickapoo reservation on its opening, at noon, May 23. As there were only about 450 claims all told, there were of course numbers of contestants on each one.
—A new rule has just been adopted by the Navy Department excluding officers of foreign navies and armies from viewing tests of armor and guns. Heretofore these tests have been open to such officials, although the action just adopted is the rule of other nations.
—The president of the Bank of Commerce, St. Louis, Mo., has issued an order forbidding all employees of the bank attending horse races, under penalty of dismissal. The reasons given are that the tendency and opportunity of the races cause men to lose money and eventually to become defaulters. The president therefore believes it is dangerous for young men to attend them and submit themselves to such temptations.
—Conflicting press reports concerning the fate of the income tax or its rehearing before the U. S. Supreme Court, have given way to certainty, and the decision of that court, as announced by Chief Justice Fuller, is that the law is unconstitutional. The decision is based upon the opinion that the tax is direct, and therefore must be appointed according to representation. There were four dissenting opinions, the criticisms being to the effect that the decision ties the hands of the general government and limits and cripples its power to raise funds in a sudden emergency.
—Tuesday forenoon, May 21, 40,000 pounds of nitro-glycerine and powder exploded at the works of the California Powder Company, near Oakland, Cal. Fourteen workmen, all who were in the two buildings demolished, were blown to pieces, five whites and nine Chinese. It is regarded fortunate that no more of the 100 men employed on the ground were injured. These works have blown up every two or three years for years past, with similar loss of life. In the manufacture of high explosives extreme care is necessary, and as novices are never permitted to meddle with the mixtures, accidents are almost invariably due to carelessness. Familiarity with danger breeds a sort of indifference, but so long as demand for such things continues, men will risk their lives in supplying them.
BIBLE STUDENTS' LIBRARY.
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10. Scripture References................................................ 4 "
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16. Christ in the Old Testament...................................... 2 "
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65. The Great Day of the Lord...................................... 5 "
67. Bible Election......................................................... 3 "
68. The Old Testament in the New Dispensation....... 3 "
69. "Jewish;" Christians Are Israelites Indeed........... 1 "
70. Immortality of the Soul; Is It a Bible Doctrine?... 4 "
71. Righteousness, Where Is It, and How Obtained?.. 1 "
72. Christ and His Righteousness............................... 15 "
73. Can We Keep the Sabbath?................................... 2 "
74. The Counterfeit and the Genuine.......................... 2 "
75. Living by Faith........................................................ 2 "
76. Bible Questions and Answers Concerning Man..... 2 "
77. The Talents.............................................................. 2 "
79. Baptism; Its Significance....................................... 2 "
80. Sunday; Origin of Its Observance in the Christian Church... 15 "
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86. Justification, Regeneration, Sanctification........... 2 "
90. The Bible Doctrine of the Trinity........................... 2 "
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95. From Sabbath to Sunday....................................... 1 "
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99. Prediction, Interpretation, Fulfillment................. 2 "
100. Seducing Spirits................................................... 1 "
101. The Rest That Remains for the People of God... 1 "
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107. Who Changed the Sabbath? (new)........................ 3 "
108. Life: Its Source and Purpose................................ 10 "
110. Appeal to Methodists........................................... 1 "
111. Tormented Forever and Ever............................... 2 "
112. Spiritualism; Its Source and Character.............. 2 "
113. The Christian Sabbath.......................................... 4 "
114. The Identical Seventh Day.................................. 2 "
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127. Christ as Prophet, Priest, and King................... 2 "
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YOSEMITE VALLEY and BIG TREES
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PROPHETIC LIGHTS
The leading prophecies of both the Old and New Testaments, showing the exact fulfillment of the predictions of the Bible, concerning Egypt, Tyre, Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece, and Rome, are treated in a most interesting style in
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