worthy the rebuke so tactfully admin- istered by the Lord. And what is the lesson for us? Is the world not full of sinners and are we not to mingle with them in order that we may minister to their needs? Answering His call, forsaking all, fol- lowing Him, finding the lost ones and bringing them into touch with the Phy- sician who can heal them, are we not thus fulfilling His holy will? There are no righteous and none are such great sinners as those who boast of their own sufficiency. What infinite compassion and patience was His! At what incomputable cost did He prepare the way for sinners and publicans i o come into the Kingdom! POINTS PRACTICAL. The persistence of faith, putting the paralytic in the presence of the Lord. Four men bore him into the house; before men he bore back his bed. Faith in His sacrifice is the founda- tion of forgiveness of sins. The marks of the Master's Deity were—seeing faith, searching hearts, speaking forgiveness, and saying ' ' arise.'' Who follows Christ, must forsake all at His call. Publicans and Scribes sat down with Him, but He sat down on the Pharisees and Scribes. Christ on the cross cer- tifies that there are sinners to be saved. REV I EW LESSON. March 27th. Lessons, Chapters 1 to 12. Golden Text—Matt. 1:9. For today's study we are given a choice between a review and an Easter lesson on the Resurrection. We be- lieve that every teacher should exer- cise liberty in teaching. It is often profitable and wise to turn from a cur- rent lesson to some special theme, need- ed by the class by reason of existing conditions. Such subjects as Prayer, Inspiration of the Word, Surrendered Life, Soul Winning, or a Missionary topic can well be utilized. Teaching sometimes becomes stilted and perfunc- tory, lifeless; a change of some kind is helpful to both teacher and class. Change the order, have a heart to heart talk, give a Bible reading, have an ex- perience meeting—keep out of the ruts at any rate. Any one of the four les- sons prepared for the young people would afford a good subject. For those who prefer we give a brief review and also a brief lesson for Easter.
1. THE PROPHET AND PROPH- ECY OF THE KING (Matt. 111:3). (a) The Child of the Desert. John Baptist was a voice of one crying in the wilderness. The time was ripe: the wilderness blossomed and brought forth its flower—rough, rugged John (Ki. 1:8, Matt. XVI I : 1 0 2 ). He breathed a mes- sage strong and sturdy—make way for the coming King. " H e is coming" is the old, old message, the vital message of the Bible from Gen. 111:15 to Matt 111:1-5, and IY:l-3. Everything cen- ters in Him. .John is the last of the old prophets and but echoes the voice of them all—the King cometh. (b) The Chosen One. He was to be God's King and was to have power to save and sanctify the people (Acts I I: 2-3), and to separate the wheat and the chaff and to burn them with unquench- able fire. He was to reveal God to men and redeem men for God. 2. THE PREPARATORY WORK OF THE KING. (a) Coming into the World. Her- alded by angels; hailed by wise men; hated by Herod; hidden in Egypt; hu- miliated for thirty years in obscurity is the simple story of His life. (b) Consecrated at Jordon. In the midst of His people the King took His place, with no sins to confess. Ile ful- filled the righteous desires of God by acknowledging, in baptism, John's au- thority. The Holy Spirit anointed Him and sealed Him for service. ' (c) Conquest over the Prince of this World. By the power of the Spirit, through the Word, He conquered satan and made possible a life of victory for every one of His followers. (d) Choosing His Followers. He made Capernaum His home and from the little lake He took the toilers who were to become His faithful followers. He found them fishermen, and made them masters in the art of catehing men. All of His disciples are dele- gated to be lovers of thé lost, and soul savers. 3. PROCLAMATION OF THE KING. He opened His mouth and spake won- derful words: they were authoritative and in strange contrast with the quib- bling, controversial style of the Scribes. (b) He, first of all, prescribed the conditions of blessing in the Kingdom. His followers were to be so different from the world's men; they were to be meek, lowly, persecuted peacemakers.
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