T h e
K i n g ’ s
B u s i n e s s
April 1932
180
therefore,” he says, “beseech you that ye walk worthy o f the vocation wherewith ye are called.” Then on and on, through the fourth, fifth, and sixth chapters, the Holy Spirit, speaking through Paul, gives explicit, definite, detailed instruction to Christians o f all classes—wives, husbands, servants, fathers, children, and Christian soldiers. W e are left without excuse as to what we should do to please Him. I know of no passage in God’s Word more helpful to daily Christian living than these three chapters. Notice a few of the directions, “Walk as children o f light.” “ Be ye kind one to another.” “Walk in love.” Redeem the time. “ Be not drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit.” Give thanks for all things. Now let us look at the particular verses of our passage for today: “ Children, obey your parents in the L ord ; for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; which is the ' first commandment with promise; That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.” Here we see the apostle reechoing the immortal words o f the fifth command ment. But we notice the emphasis he places on the promise attached, remind ing us that we are now under grace,-and that the point o f view is not that o f human achievement, but that of divine manifesta tion o f Christ’s life-giving power. Children brought up in homes where Christ is the Head, and where the “law of the Spirit o f life in Christ Jesus” dom inates the household will surely want to keep these two commands, “ obey” and “honour.” Let us suggest to the leader that he study his concordance and note the pas sages bearing on this subject. For ex ample, children should obey God (Deut. 30:2), fear God (Prov. 24:21), remember God (Eccl. 12:1), honor parents (Ex. 20: 12; Heb. 12:9), obey parents (Prov. 6: 20; Eph. 6 :1 ), take care of parents (1 Tim. S :4 ), attend to parental teaching ( Prov. 1:8, 9). History is full of incidents attesting fi> the fact that blessings attend those who honor and love their parents. The world has seldom produced great men except out o f good children. Almost without excep tion, the world’s outstanding souls have had the promise of greatness in the de lightful conduct o f the youth. Spurgeon, Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin West, Gar field, and many others we might name are illustrious examples of youthful fidelity to parents. Taking her babe, a Highland widow once started to walk across the mountains, some ten miles, to the home o f a rela tive. A terrible snow storm suddenly fell upon the hills, and little by little the mother’s strength failed. The next day, when men found her body, it was almost stripped o f clothing. Her chilled and dying hands had wrapped her own clothing about the child, which was found in a sheltering nook, safe and sound. Years af terward, the son of the minister who had conducted the mother’s funeral went to Glasgow to preach a preparatory sermon. Somehow he was reminded of the story o f the Highland mother’s love. A few days later, he was summoned to the bed o f a dying man. Illustration C hrist ’ s L ove for U s
parents was carried to the sublime in He brew families. The child found the ideal of his obedience in Isaac’s willingly yielding himself to death at his father’s command. Disobedience to a father or mother was made a public crime, which the community might punish with death. The tender care o f an aged parent was regarded by every Jew as a sacred duty. The son of Sirach only repeated the sentiment of all Scrip ture when he said, “ Honour thy father with thy whole heart, and forget not the sorrows o f thy mother. Remember that thou wast begotten of them; and how canst thou recompense them the things that they have done for thee ?” That, a father’s or a mother’s blessing was prized as sa cred, and its being withheld regarded as the saddest loss, shows how deeply such teaching had sunk into the Jewish mind. —G eikie . M AY 15, 1932 H O W M A Y W E W O R K FOR W O R LD GO O D W IL L ? A cts 10:34, 35 Suggestions for the Meeting If you live in a city where there are Mexicans, Chinese, Japanese, or Porto Ri cans, it would be a most appropriate time to have a joint meeting o f your C. E. with theirs. Nothing so helps to promote good will as actually demonstrating it. Hymn—“W e’ve a Story1 to Tell to the Nations.” Hymn— “Jesus Saves.” Prayer—by Chairman o f Missionary Committee. Scripture Lesson. Duet—--“ Dear to the Heart o f the Shep herd.” Leader’s Talk. Testimonies—by Christian Endeavorers o f other nationalities, if possible. Quiet Hour. % Hymn— “All Hail the Power o f Jesus’ Name.” Benediction. Meditation on the Lesson Before we look at the Scripture text, we would like to remind our Endeavorers that there can be no “world good will” apart from the knowledge of the gospel o f the Lord Jesus Christ. Any attempt of social organizations, however sincere, to bring about a friendly relationship between alien races will utterly fail if the power of our blessed Lord and Saviour is not recognized. Alas, this fact is too often ignored! When we recall that if was on the night that the Saviour was born that the first message o f “good will” was flashed to the weary earth by the shining host of angel messengers, we are amazed at the omission. He only, as King, had the right to make this royal proclama tion : “ Peace on earth, good will toward men.” In •our Scripture for today, we have a remarkable statement by Peter. He had been a prejudiced Jew. The wall between the Jew and Gentile was worse than Hin du caste today. “The Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans.” Peter’s change did not come voluntarily. He was patiently and vividly taught by God Himself. Read the whole chapter to get the proper set ting.
God Cares
God cares! How sweet the strain!
My aching heart and weary brain Are rested by the sweet refrain— He cares, our Father cares! God cares ! Oh, sing the song In lonely spot, amid the throng; ’Twill make the way less hard and long— He cares, our Father cares! God cares! The words so sweet My lips and life shall e’er repeat, My burdens all left at His feet— God cares, He always cares! —H elen A nnis C asterline . “You do not know me,” said the man. “Although I have lived in Glasgow many years, I have never attended a church. The other day, I happened to pass your door as the snow came down. I heard the singing and slipped into a back seat. There I heard the story of the widow and her son.” The man paused, his voice was choking, his eyes were filling. “ I am that son,” he sobbed at last. “Never did I forget my mother’s love, but I never saw the love of God in giving Himself for me until now. It was God who made you tell that story. My mother did not die in vain. Her prayer is an swered.”— S elected . . Samson (Judg. 13:24). Samuel (1 Sam. 3:19). David (1 Sam. 17:20). John the Baptist (Lk. 1 :80). Timothy (2 Tim. 3:15). II. To M y S on Do you know that your soul is of my soul, such part That you seem to be fiber and core of my heart? None other can pain me as you, dear, can do; None other can please me or praise me as you. Remember the world will be quick with its blame, I f shadow or stain ever darken your name, “ Like mother like sen” is a saying so true, The world will judge largely of “Mother” ' by you. Be yours, then, the task, if task it shall be, To force the proud world to do homage to me, Be sure it will say when its verdict you’ve won, She reaped as she sowed, “ Lo, this is her son !” —A uthor U nknown . III. F ilial R everence in H ebrew F amilies The reverence o f children toward their Discussion Material I. S ome B ible C hildren Isaac (Gen. 22:6-10). Joseph (Gen. 45:9; 46:29).
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs