LESSON III. Jan. 20, 1884. the wild beasts which become subject to man's control. Second Sunday after Epiphany. INTRODUCTION.-"The teacher should take this opportunity to make a very deep impression upon the scholars, (1) as to the evil and danger of sins of the tongue, using the four illustrations given by the apostle, and showing how the tongue is a world of iniquity, a poison, an exciter of strife. (2). Then follow the good uses of the tongue, as sanctified on the day of Pentecost, (cloven tongues like as of fire), and used in giving comfort, in expressing love and sympathy, in teaching the truth, in preaching the Gospel, in persuading men to heaven. (3). The two kinds of wisdom in the heart that lead to these two opposite uses of the tongue."-Peloubet. V. 1. Be not many masters-that is, teachers. In those times each person could rise in the synagogue and speak. (1 Cor. 14: 26-33). The command is against the too eager and general assumption of this privilege. A man ought to be qualified to teach, before he assumes the functions of a teacher. We shall receive greater condemnation. In a humble, conciliatory spirit James includes himself -"we." Our speeches shall be subjected to scrutiny, and if we teach error, greater will be our condemnation than that of those who listened The greater the height, the more to us. dangerous the fall. V. 2. In many things we all stumble. None are infallible. This liability is great in every one, but especially "great in an office where the very business is public speaking. If anywhere the improper use of the tongue will do mischief, it is in the office of a religious teacher."-Barnes. If any man offend not in word, he is a perfect man. He has his passions under control, his mind free from error, his heart purified; consequently his speech is free from evil. He has attained the state of perfection. Then James enforces his meaning by four illustrations: (1), the bit in the bridle governing the horse, (2), the helm determining the course of the ship in spite of adverse currents and winds, (3), the spark kindling a whole forest, (4), the untameable tongue is contrasted with V. 5. The tongue boasteth great things. Like the bit and the helm, the tongue has great power over the whole body; a vile tongue perverts a man; a good tongue guides and controls. The tongue is a fire; it can inflict burning pains; it can kindle a great amount of evil; it may destroy much good. Behold the wisdom of Christ in calling upon His disciples to consecrate that powerful little organ, and use it in preaching the gospel of peace! It then becomes a fire to burn up the dross of sin, by kindling a purifying flame in the heart. A world of iniquity-a little world of evil in itself, in its unsanctified state. "Who can estimate the amount of evil which it causes? Who can measure the evils which arise from scandal, and profaneness, and perjury, and falsehood, and blasphemy, and obscenity, and the inculcation of error, by the tongue? Who can gauge the amount of broils, and contentions, and strifes, and wars, and suspicions, and enmities, and alienations among friends and neighbors, which it produces ?"—Barnes. The course of nature; (1) either the orb of creation, or (2) "it inflames with various lusts, wrath, malice, wantonness, pride, etc., the whole course of man's life so that there is no state nor age free from the evils of it.”—Pool. Set on fire of hell; the devil is a liar, and the father of lies; and by his tempting power the tongue began and still continues to spread mischief and destruction. 7. Every kind of beast ** is tamed; the original lordship of man over nature, though partially lost, is thus regained in individual cases. 8. But the tongue can no man tame. It alone is not subject to human control. But this does not contradict the fact that God's Spirit, by radically changing the heart of man, does enable the Christian to control his tongue; so that of him it is true: "By thy words shalt thou be justified. V. 9. Therewith bless we God, ** and curse men. The sinful tongue one hour utters words of praise to God, and the next hour curses men, which are His likeness! It is evident that the tongue would not be thus contradictory, if the heart and feelings were right. The words but reveal the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hence the truth of the golden text. The similitude of 'God is marred, but not destroyed. The sins of the tongue spring from rivalries, ambitions, partyspirit. V. 11-12. A bitter fountain cannot send forth sweet waters; and when the heart is full of hate, it is only hypocrisy, if the tongue utters words of love. Make the fountain good, and the stream will be good likewise. V. 13. Who is a wise man? The Apostle then draws a contrast between the true and the false wisdom. True wisdom, true understanding, is shown by a course of life spent in meekness, which is the attribute or quality of wisdom. Wisdom is more than knowledge. A wise man is one who carries his knowledge into his life and actions. Knowledge comes, but wisdom lingers," or abides with us and directs our steps aright. V. 14. If ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not." For a man to boast of wisdom when his heart is full of bitter emulation and party spirit is a lying vaunt. The wisdom of which he thus boasts is not, at any rate, the heavenly wisdom of the Christian, but earthly, animal, demon-like." easy to be entreated, (5), full of mercy and good fruits, (6), without partiality (partizanship or wrangling), (7), and without hypocrisy. V. 18. The fruit of righteousness-that is, righteousness of heart brings forth a certain fruit, which is peace; this peace becomes a seed sown in peace by them that make peace. That spirit which righteousness produces, leads peaceable men in a peaceable way so as to promote peace with God and peace with one another. "Thus we see that with St. James, no less than with St. Paul, St. Peter, and St. John, love, peace, mutual respect, mutual toleration, is the highest form of wisdom."—Farrar. "This beautiful picture of true wisdom may be placed side by side with that of Charity portrayed by St. Paul in 1 Cor. 13."- Wordsworth. Sown in peace. are "the re Thus "wisdom hath builded her house; she hath hewn out her seven pillars." Proverbs 9: 1. Christ is the Light of the world, the Incarnation of Wisdom, and from Him seven colors of the Divine rainbow" flected. "Is scattered over the world in a peaceful manner; it is not done amidst contentions, brawls and strifes. It is done by men of peace, in peaceful scenes, and with a peaceful spirit; in a pure and a holy life; in the V. 15. This wisdom is not from above, peaceful scenes of the sanctuary and the but is from beneath. It is called, (1), Sabbath, and *** the abundant har earthly, because it avariciously cares vest is peace and order. *** It is all for the possession of earth; (2), devil-peace-peace in its origin, in its results, ish, or demoniacal, because full of pride, in the heart and in society, on earth selfishness, malignity, and ambition, and in heaven."-Barnes. which are the works of the devil. Such wisdom leads to confusion and evil work, or contemptible practices. V. 17. The wisdom that is from above -namely, that which God communicates by His word and Holy Spirit--is first pure-i. e., chaste, consecrated, free from admixture of carnal motives (selfishness, gain, advantage). "be "First" in this place does not refer to time. It is said to be first pure, cause purity describes its inward essence, and the other epithets which follow denote its outword manifestations." is, purity is of primary importance in all true wisdom. That (2). Then peaceable, (3), gentle, (4), Esop said: "surely the tongue is the worst thing in the world ;" and also: "Is there anything better than the organ of truth, and the instrument of praise and worship?" Former mercies should encourage you to expect future favors: "To him that hath shall be given." He that hath Christ for his Leader and Captain, may follow Him with confidence, courage, and comfort. Be not satisfied with merely being on the Lord's side, but be zealous for God and godliness. LESSON IV. THIRD SUNDAY AFTER EPIPHANY. Jan. 27, 1884. Commit to memory verses 13-15. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, and purify your hearts ye double-minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up. 11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. OUTLINE 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save, and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? 13 Go to, now, ye that say, To-day or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy, and sell, and get gain : 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life! It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15 For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. 1. SUBMISSION TO GOD-RESISTANCE TO SATAN. 7-10. 2. EVIL SPEAKING REBUKED. 11-12. 3. SELF-CONFIDENCE AND SECURITY FORBIDDEN. 13-17. GOLDEN TEXT: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up. V. 10. INSTRUCTION. A V. 7. Submit-resign yourselves to God's Judgeth the law-sets himself above it. will, content with His providence. Resist judge; but a violater of the law is not fit to be devil-refuse to do wrong, in order to accomp- a judge. 12. One_Lawgiver-God; (a) He lish an end. 8. Draw nigh-in prayer for gives the law; (b) He alone can interpret it; wisdom and strength. He will draw nigh-(c) and execute it, by saving or by punishing. sustain, strengthen and comfort you. Cleanse 13-14. Go to-come, let us consider or reason hands-make pure the outward conducl. Puri- together. Men must not feel secure, because of fy hearts-the inner life. Double-minded-the uncertainty of life. A vapor-mist, fleetwith affections divided between God and the ing. 15. If the Lord will-trust in God. 18. world. 9. Afflicted-sorrow over your sins. Boastings-counting on great gains, etc. Evil Mourn, etc., the outward evidences of true re--because God is forgotten and ignored. 17. pentance. 11. Speaketh evil of the law-violates Doeth it not *** sin. Because it is a neglect the law of Christian life, or of brotherly love. of known duty. QUESTIONS. V. 7. What is it to submit to God? Can 11. How must we not speak of one another? believers feel content with Providence? Who What does Jesus say in Matt. 7: 1? What is to be resisted? What is meant? If you do is it to speak evil of the law? Can a sinner wrong to accomplish anything, are you serving judge rightly? the devil? What will Satan do, if resisted? Did he leave Christ? 8. How do we draw nigh to God? What promise is given? What did Jesus say to those who gather in His name. Will God dwell with the impure? What must be cleansed? What needs to be purified? Who are double-minded ? 9. What kind of affliction is here meant? Of what are mourning and heaviness the signs and evidences? 10. What is here enjoined? What promise is given to the humble? Can a true follower of Christ be haughty and scornful? 12. Who is the Lawgiver? Who alone can rightly interpret and execute it? What is He able to do? 13. What is the meaning of go to? What do seekers of gain say? 14. Do we know what the morrow may have in store for us? To what is human life compared? Why? 15. How ought men to speak of the future? 16. What are human boastings! Why are they evil? 17. Is neglect of duty a sin? Are sins of omission punished? Are you doing your duty, or neglecting it? CATECHISM. Ques. 104. What doth God require in the fifth commandment? Ans. That I show all honor, love, and fidelity, to my father and mother, and all in authority over me, and submit myself to their good instruction and correction with due obedience; and also patiently bear with their weaknesses and infirmities, since it pleases God to govern us by their hand. LESSON IV. Jan. 27, 1884. well as the author of all evil rejected. He will flee from those who hate and resist him, as he left our Saviour in the wilderness. V. 8. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. In prayer and a pious life we draw nigh to God. Indeed, when we are good, and do good, we are living very close to God. Then He draws very nigh to us, causes us to feel the goodness of His presence and the power of His aid. When God is nigh, we are safe. Third Sunday after Epiphany. INTRODUCTION.-"We have to-day another lesson full of practical thoughts, which may be clustered around the one great central thought-LIVING NEAR TO GOD. I. What is it to live near to God? (vs. 7-8.) We find two parts(1) submitting to God as our King and Saviour, and so becoming a part of His kingdom, and (2) drawing near to God. Lay emphasis especially on three things: (a) what is nearness to God, (b) how Cleanse your hands; purify your we may draw near to God, (c) this the hearts. It is certain that God can only place of blessedness-the highest, dwell only with the pure. Hence the purest, happiest life. II. The conditions command to cleanse the hands and on which we may draw near to God purify the heart-to be pure within, (vs. 8-10). (1). Putting away evil, and chaste in actions. Until we are (2) repentance, (3) humility. These thus pure, we are in a double-minded are necessary because God is good, and state-halting between two opinions, hates all iniquity. III. Certain fruits with affections on the world as well as of living near to God (vs. 11-17). (1). on God. Right feelings and words toward our neighbor, (2) committing all our ways to God."-Peloubet. ing. It is no time for a sinner to be joyful, so long as his sins are unforgiven and are reigning within him. V. 9. Be afflicted and mourn, and weep. How shall such purity of heart and conduct be secured? Only by true V. 7. Submit yourselves to God-repentance. Be afflicted. Repentant acquiesce in the arrangements of Prov- feelings are an inward affliction, which idence and of Grace. These are for ofttimes leads to mourning and weepour good, and we must submit to them in a humble spirit. Thus may we obtain grace, and overcome evil. A man who submits to our national government does not surrender his personal liberty and rights; but submits to its laws and thereby obtains a right to all of its protection, at home or abroad, on land or on water. So the man who is subject to God does not lose his power to defend and care for himself; and at the same time he has all of God's power pledged to his support and safety. To submit to God involves the exercise of faith in His goodness and power, a trust in Him for all blessings and a dependence on His protecting care. It involves obedience to His will and commandments. In other words, we must not only expect blessings from Him, but render obedience to Him as our Ruler. Resist the devil. Satan seeks to gain control over us in various ways. He holds out the hope, that if we are cunning and dishonest we will obtain all we want, and can then take care of ourselves. He must be resisted--that is, all the ways of sin must be avoided, as V. 10. Humble yourselves. Let this work of repentance lead to deep humiliation. It is the way that leads to exaltation. The humble shall be lifted up. In the sight of the Lord-judge yourselves, not by comparisons with other men, but think how we must appear in God's eyes, where not a stain is unnoticed. The lifting up is not only in station, but in exalted character-purified, enriched, ennobled and satisfied. No longer will you need all things, but you shall possess them, in fellowship with Christ. V. 11. Speak not evil. He warns us against evil-speaking as a sin which is adverse to humility. An imaginary superiority leads people to speak slightingly of others; envy leads to slander. All these sins are the works of the devil. Do not depreciate others. "Judge not, that ye be not judged," says our Master. To speak evil is to arrogantly usurp the functions of God Who is the one true Judge; He alone stands above the law; He judges rightly, and enforces truth. We must not attempt to sit in judgment on our fellow-men--especially on their motives and intentions. Otherwise we set ourselves up as judges, whilst in fact we are all offenders, who are arraigned before the law for judgment. And according as we are there acquitted or condemned, we shall be saved or punished. Edwin was silent, but one of his aged "Athwart the room a sparrow But if this pale Paulinus Have somewhat more to tell; The sun of hope may shine, - I take his God for mine!"--Amen. Speaketh evil of the law. The law. here referred to is probably the law of Christ, which all Christians profess to obey; "the perfect law of liberty," which released men from the bondage of Jewish ceremonies. The Jewish believers were not to condemn their Gentile brethren for non-compliance with V. 15. Ye ought to say, if the Lord will. these, nor were the latter to condemn In v. 13 it is, we will. There is a higher them for conscientiously adhering to Will, on which our movements depend. them, so long as they put their trust" Thy will be done," is our prayer. only in Christ. His will is right, and it is mighty. We may have our opinion, and the We must strive to live in accordance brother may have his; we are not to with it, and remember that we cannot override his judgment. It is to be sup-resist it. We can only do what He posed that he is conscientious too. He permits. Beware, if we do what He may be right, as well as we. We, at all does not sanction or pronounce right. events, are not to be judges. V. 13. Go to now, ye that say, to-day or to-morrow we will go. Do not plan and speak with such confidence. Give up the braggart spirit of security with which, like the rich fool in the parable, men make plans how to get gain, without any reference to God, or to His ordering of events and of our lives. "From presumptuous judgments of others, (vs. 11-12), it is a slight step to presumptuous confidence in one's own future."-Cook. man We will go-but remember, proposes, but God disposes." And continue there a year-feeling sure of a long lease of life and health. Get gain -as though they were perfectly sure of it. V. 14. Ye know not-ignorance of the coming day ought to keep us from such boastings and self-reliance. Much less ought we to plan for a whole year. What is your life? It is a vapor. Who can tell how long it will last. The mist soon disappears. Paulinus preached the Gospel in Northumbria, England, in the early ages to King Edwin and his warriors. In 1 Cor. 4: 19 St. Paul says: "I will come quickly to you, if God will." From these two verses has come the common phrase, "Deo volente," (God willing). 16-17. To him that knoweth, &c. Knowledge makes us responsible. The knowledge of our duty increases our obligation to perform it; and the neglect of every known duty is sin. Sins of omission need to be avoided, as well as those of word and deed. THE ADVENTURES OF TWO YOUTHS IN A We have here the latest results of African |