Jasper County Democrat, Volume 17, Number 16, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 May 1914 — BROOKLYN TABERNACLE [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

BROOKLYN TABERNACLE

WHERE WERE THE NINE? Luke 17:11-19 May 31. “ IV ere there none fOttnd that- returned to give vlory to Cod, »uvt> this alien f"— Verse 13. CITE essence of today’s lesson Is gratitude. It is impossible to imagine a perfect'being as acceptable to God without' this quality. We might almost. say that the degree of our acceptance with God is measured by our gratitude, it leads to obedience to 1 )iv ine laws aml reg ilia tious, whether understood or not. it leads to self-sacrificing labors in the service of God, and according to a Divide automatic arrangement has its blessings. —Homans 8:28.

Jesus was ■.'approaching Jerusalem by way of Samaria. It is surmised that this was 1 Lis last journey to Jerusalem, which eventuated in His death. Ten lepers sitting by tie roadside heard, that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by, and Immediately called to Him, "Master, have mercy upon us!” He replied, "Go show yourselves to the priests.” According to God's arrangement with tlie Jews under their Daw Covenant. they were to have no sickness except as these Would represent sins; and the priests were to pass judgment upon cases of leprosy. Our Lord's direction tlint, the lepers show themselves to the priests Implies that by the time they would reach their destination they would lx? healed. The lepers must have exercised great faith; for instead of crying out for instantaneous healing, they started for the priest. They had goV*Juut a short distance when they found themselves cured.

We can Imagine with what joy tiiey hastened for the priest’s approval, in order to return to their families. Butoneof them returned and fell at Jesus’ feet, giving Ilim thanks. We cannot doubt that he would receive a great blessing eventually, though not then; for he

was a Samaritan, an alien from the commonwealth of Israel.

Another Crumb of Favor. In his cuso the healing was a crumb from the children’s table; for the rich, man had not died—God’s favor had not yet departed from Israel. Jesus had not yet uttered the fateful words, -Your House is left unto you desolate.” Nay, it was three and a half years after Jesus’ death before the individual favor to the Jews terminated to such an extent that the Gospel could go to the Gentiles.—Acts 10.

Had the returning leper been a Jew, no doubt lie would ha re been invited to become a follower of Jesus. But because he was a Samaritan, Jesus merely said, "Arise and go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.” Doubtless, when the flme came for opening the door to the Gentiles, this grateful Samaritan was amongst those who gladly made consecration to God. Ten Healed —Where Were the Nine? Jesus called public attention to the fact that only one qf the ten healed had returned to give glory to God. True, He had not asked them to acknowledge the Divine Power that wrought through Him. True, they bad done exactly what He had told them to do. But why did He not bargain with them, saying, If I heal you. will you become My disciples? Why did not He take this method of adding to the number of His disciples? The preaching of Jesus and the Apostles is In strong contrast with much of the preaching of evangelists, revivalists, etc. Never did Jesus or the Apostles urge worldly people to become disciples of Christ. They merely declared certain great facts, and accepted those who were thus influenced. They reasoned of sin. of righteousness and of a coming time of decision, or Judgment and left the matter with the individual conscience. They told that those who forsake sin ami turn to God may have forgiveness and recoucllla-

tion through the blood of Christ. They told of a Heavenly Call for all such penitents who would consecrate their lives wholly to God and to righteousness. The point we make is that according to the Bible no attempts were ever made

by Jesus and the Apostles to obtuiu recruits for the Lord's army by a “bip-hip-hurrah” process. In this we are not criticising others, but merely calling attention to facts, which should guide all who seek to know and to do God’s will. The Samaritan of our lesson represents a class of grateful followers of the Lord who seek to give Him glory in their thoughts, words and doings; while the majority of those who similarly have received His favor are disposed to pursue the ambitus and the pleasures of the present life. Neglecting to take the path which the Master trod, they yvill not reach the glory, houor and Immortality which He attained and to which He has called all of His followers. Many Christian people are growing in the opinion that we are living! today in a time of crucial trial as respects those who have made a covenant with God. They believe that we are nearing thetime when the Church, the Body of Christ, will be received by the Lord in the Resurrection change to be His ’ Bride. , . ■ 'y 1 ✓ " -

Ten Lepers Cleaned.

Only One Thankful.