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++ NTERNATIONAL LESSON—FoR JUNE 25.-+
Marx 6-9, inclusive.
Subject — Christ’s Miracles and
BY REV. D. P.
The last twelve lessons have covered
the central portion of our Lord’s earthly
life. They haye embraced many interest-
ing topics, To assist our readers in re-
viewing them, we give the tollowing
analyses and syntheses of the severa
lessons in order. .
REMARK.
Analysis is the process of separating’a
subject orathing into parts so that it
may be examined. Synthesis is the act
of putting the principal parts or facts to-
gether so that they may be easily re-
membered. Readers will find it profita-
ble toexpand and explain the analysis
and to memorize the synthesis,
LESSON 1,—THE MISSION OF CHRIST'S
DISCIPLES,
ANALYsIS.—Jesus goes to His own
country. Preaches in thesynagogue. Is
rejected. He then sends forth His disci-
ples to preach the gospel and to heal dis-
eases in His name.
SyntTuests.—Jesus still needs in all
countries loving, laborious, selfdenying,
trustful, faithful disciples.
LESSON IL—DEATH OF JOHN THE
BAPTIST.
ANALYSIS.—Herod is troubled in’ con-
science. His murder of an innocent
man haunts his memory. ‘The miracles
of Jesus make him think that John the
Baptist has risen from the dead. The
fact that he was instigated by others is
no exeuse for the deed. He and his in-
stigators are murderers alike, but he is
the guiltiest of all since he might have
refused to do the bloody deed.
SynTHEsIs.—This lesson exhibits to
usa fearless preacher, a wicked plot, a
foolish promise, a cruel murder, a faith-
ful martyr, a guilty conscience.
dilustration.—W hen Professor Webster
was in prison, awaiting trial for the mur-
der of Doctor Parkman, he complained
that the prisoners in the adjoining cells
were calling out to him through the night,
“You are a bloody man !” watch was
set, and it was found that no one spoke
to him; yet in the morning he declared,
again that the same voices were heard.
They were the cries of his own guilty
* conscience.
LESSON UL.—THE FIVE TMOUSAND
FED.
ANALYSISs.—Five thousand people as-
sembled to hear Jesus preach, It was
in a desert place. Evening came on,
There was no sufficient supply of food
for such a crowd of people. “The dis-
ciples had barely two small fishes and
five loaves of |. Jesus blessed
these and multiplied them into food
enough for all, and a surplus of twelve
baskets full,
SynTHESIS.—In this miracle we are
taught lessons of friendly sympathy, of
divine power, of human agency, of over-
flowing abundance and frugal economy.
Hence, we may see that the needs of the
» mind and heart are supplied by
Jesus. :
LESSON IV,—CIIRIST WALKING ON
THE SEA,
ANALYsISs.—The disciples are toiling
at night in a storm on the Sea of Galilee.
Jesus ison the mountain, praying. At
the moment of their greatest danger, He
comes near them, walking on the sea.
When He enters the ship the storm
ceases,
SyNTHESIS.—This miracle teaches that
when His disciples are in danger, Jesus
sees, visits and succors them.
LESSON V.—THE TRADITIONS OF MEN,
ANALYSIS.—The Pharasees find fault
- with the disciples for neglecting cere-
monial hand-washing. Jesus instructs
them in the greater importance of clean
earts,
SYNTHESIS. — commands clean,
obedient, loving, holy hearts.
LESSON VI.-SUFFERERS BROUGHT TO
CHRIST.
ANALYSI8S.—Two miracles, Jesus
heals the sick daughter of a Syrophenic-
jan woman. A deaf and dumb man was
brought to Him and received hearing
and speech,
SyNTHESIS.—These miracles were in
Gotpen Text, Acts 2:22.
Teachings.—Quarterly Review.
KIDDER, D.D.
answer to earnest, humble, believing,
persevering prayer.
LESSON VIL—THE FEEDING OF FOUR
THOUSAND.
ANALYSIS.—Jesus attracted another
multitude, sympathized with them and
rovided forthem. In the face of such
miracles, the Pharisees sought to op-
pose Mim by asking for further
Signs from heaven.
Christ warns against the de-
ceitfulness of their errors
under the figure of
leaven.
Illustration.—Yeast,
or leaven, when it is
mixed with dough,
will change the cha-
Sy,
racter of a@ mass two thousand times
itsown size in a few hours. So false-
hood spreads rapidly, and corrupts as it
spreads,
i
S
5
SYNTHEsIS.—Jesus attracts, feels for,
provides for and satisfies the needy, and
warns them against danger,
LESSON VIII—SEEING AND CONFESS-
ING CHRIST,
ANALYSIS.—Jesus restores sight to a
lind man. rt confesses Christ as
the Messiah. Jesus foretells His own suf-
ings. -
SyNTuEsis.—In Him we have a light-
giving, a teaching, a divine, a suffering,
a faithful, Saviour.
LESSON IX.-FOLLOWING CHRIST.
ANALYSIS.—Jesus forewarns His dis-
ciplesof the duty of self-denial and cross-
bearing. Ile also teaches thein the su-
preme value of the soul.
SYNTHESIS.—Following Christ needs
will, self-denial, obedience, cuurage ;
gives fellowship, salvation, eternal life,
and honor, from God,
LESSON X.—THE TRANSFIGURATION.
ANALYSIS.—Jesus takes three of His
disciples into a high mountain by night.
Ile is visited by Moses and Elijah. He
is wondrously changed, as by the out-
shining of the glory within Him. A
voice from heaven ‘declares His true
character, .
SyNTHEsIS.—In this scene, Christ was
pleased to give a select few of His disci-
ples such a f as they could bear of
the glory, the fellowship and the voices
of heaven.
LESSON XI—THE AFFLICTED CIIILD.
ANALYSIS.—The nine disciples unable
to cast an evil spirit out of a possessed
child. Jesus came, reproved the disci-
ples, and relieved the sufferer, in answer
to the father’s prayer.
SynTHEsIS.—This lesson teaches the
power of Satan, the power of prayer, the
power of faith, the power of Christ.
Illustration,—The great explosion at
Hell Gate, near New York, by which
giant rocks were removed, and a path-
way cleared for great ships, was accom-
plished by connecting the explosive
a
power with a spark through a small
wire. A child’s hand made the connec-
tion, and the explosion followed. So
the faith of one of the least of God’s
children may move mountains by its
connection with Omnipotence.
LESSON XII.—THE CHILDLIKE BE-
LIEVER,
ANALYSIS.—The disciples, when on 4
journey, had disputed as to who was or
should the greatest among them.
Jesus took a little child in His arms, and
gave them an object-lesson on humility,
Ife thus dignified the innocence of child-
hood, and made it a type of the true be-
liever. He also taught that good deeds
should be commended wherever seen,
and thus gave a lesson in true charity.
SyNTHEsIs.—The greatest in Christ’s
kingdom are the lowly, loving, liberal,
loyal disciples, .
Another form of Synthesis is appended,
ken from Doctor Vincent’s beautiful
periodical, entitled “The Study.”
KEY PHRASE—* PRINCE OF LIFE.”
1.
reaching of Jesus,
The rejudice of the people,
ower of the twelve,
- I.
John’s
uke,
Herod's ashness,
Herodias’ evenge.
n ignorance—a teac
n
m1,
‘nD the desert—a leader,
her,
hunger—the bread of life.
eeding help, Jesus comes,
Iv.
eeding strength, Jesus prays,
eeding health, Jesus heals.
ommandments broken.
jeansing required,
VI.
arnest prayer,
xpectant faith,
cacy of faith,
(Caines of the Pharisees,
vil.
mnipotence of Christ,
The
pposition of the Pharisees,
VIII.
aith taught,
Fuse confession,
aith tested,
aith failing,
Ix.
ife of self-denial,
A ife of obedience,
ife of confession,
ife of faith,
x.
n heavenly glory,
n saintly companions:
n divine authority, Mp,
. x.
ollowers’ failure,
The ather’s sorrow,
Jesus
ather’s faith,
xi.
nvy condemned,
Egtsrenen forbidden,
atire purity required, ’
June 17, 1882.
In addition to the foregoing forms of
review, it may be well for each reader to
ask himself and answer the historical
geographical questions suggested by the
following names of persons and places:
Persons, ~ Places,
Peter, odom, — ~
John, Gomorrah,
ames, salilee,
John the Baptist, Gennesaret.
He: . yre and Sidon,
Herodias, Decapolis.
Moses, ‘wesarea Philippi
Lj it, Hermon,
Elijah) Mt.
ASyrophenician Woman, Capernaum.
LESSON HYMN,
Dear Jesus, open all our eyes,
y power and grace t e;
For when Thou comest, evil flies,
And naught is left but love.
To follow Thee with willing feet,
In all Thy lowly ways,
Be this, dear Lord, my portion sweet,
Through all my happy days,
a
THE NEGLECTED LETTER.
Some years ago, a private soldier ina
regiment stationed at Colombo, in Cey-
Jon, received a letter from home. The
history of this man was a sad one. He
had despised a father’s kindness and a
mother’s tears; had disregarded a bro-
ther’s love and a sister’s care ; had given
himself to evil companions and sinful
pursuits, and had at last, to his parents’
grief, enlisted asa soldier, in the belief
that the new duties and fancied plea-
sures of military life would banish from
his mind entirely religious thoughts and
impressions. Such ingratitude and sin
he had long bitterly regretted—not, how-
ever, with true penitence, but with mere
vexation of spirit.
While in this condition a letter from
home was placed in his hand. e im-
mediately opened it, with the expecta-
tion of finding in it some inoney, but
being disappointed in this hope, he at
once deliberately placed it in its enve- .
lope, and thrust it into his trunk, for-
getting, for the time, at least, that he had
ever received such a letter,
abandoned, the parents whom’ he never
more would see, his sister and brother
prosperous and happy, while he himself,
ike the prodigal son, was perishing a
reat way off—perishing, not from hun-
ger or from want, but through lingering
and mortal disease.
One remembrance led to another, un-
til suddenly the neglected letter in his
trunk came to his mind; and with that
recollection came an impatient desire to
learn its contents. .
Unable, from excessive weakness, to
get it or to read it himself, he be; uged a
comrade to seek for itin his trunk, and
read ittohim. This was done; and the
letter is as follows:
“ EAR Son: Knowing with heartfelt
joy that our Father in heayen has freely
forgiven me, I als: freely forgive you.
ransom from the service of sin was bought
by the precious bloo Jesus, and I now
berty of God's children, and
enjoy it much, knowing that have a man-
sion in the land of glory,
* * * * * *
“My dear son, 1 want to buy your liberty
from the service you arein, 1 have pur-
chased an estate in —, and fc
rovided for you. An 1, to shorten my
story, 1 say, ‘Come, oh, come home? anil
qother says 80, too, have authorized
Bt} —n,
. It
in
your perfect freedom, with every requisite,
is with him. Make’no dela , but come.
All send their love, and say, ‘Bome."*
This was the letter. The comrade who
read it, and who wasa pious: Christian,
adds:
ever shall I forget the neglected
letter, nor the neglecter’s agony. ‘The
anguish of his soul is far more easily
imagined than told.
“Tell them,’ said he, ‘I never got it.
! Tell them they deceived ime.
No, no! Tell them I deceived inyself,
I never knew its contents till I was
dyingy »
We are not told whether this unhappy
soldier was led to true repentance for .
18 past sins, and for his neglect of a far
more gracious message than any given
tohim by man. Tt has pleased God to
leave us in ignorance on this subject ;
but let the narrative, as it is related,
warn us against neglecting the Bible,
which is our Heavenly Father's letter of
i : ° mercy and loye,
Oh 7 ri
et I od — aoe
le-— ar . —