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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Herald, 1904-12-23, Page 7Sunday oclical. INTL+'RN 4TMO:QAG LESSON NO..1, SPANS/AEU ISP, 1005. OhrIst the Life and Light of mea, -John 1:-16. • Introduction, -John was a native of Bethsaida a town on the shore of the sea of Galilee; his home was at Caper- naum near by. He was born probably between A. D. 1 and 5. According to Ireivaeus and Jerome, he died in the year 98, when he was about ninety- five years of age, and was buried et Ephesus. John was the author df the gospel and the three epistles which bear his' name, and the Revelation. He was the most intimate earthly friend of Jesus. His gospel is supposed to be the record of the story of Jesus as preached by the apostle for many years.. The first eighteen verses are the prologue, or in- troduction, and certain the substance of what the evangelist intends to set forth. In the remainder of the gospel, "the truths of the prologue are illustrated and proved." Commentary. -I. Christ's eternal ex- istence (vs. 1, 2,). 1. In the beginning - Before all created tthings, In the Ages of eternity when only God existed. Was Not became. He existed before all cre- ation. "He did not come into being, he was," The word -The Greek term here translated "Word" is "Logue" which bas the double meaning of thought and speech. Christ is called the Word of God because through Ilim is revealed to us the thoughts, feelings, purposes and will. of God, as our words express to others our thoughts, feelings, purposes, and will. God is an unseen Bcipg, but "His thought, His love and His nature are embodied and expressed in the person of the Son, our Saviour, who is the Word of God." With God -In closest communion, yet distinct (from Him. Father, is God; the Son is God; the Holy Spirit is God; God is One" Chal- mers. "An -unfathomable mystery. It is rashness to search too far to know it." 2. The same was in the beginning - God was eternally Triune, three in. one. There was the Second Person in the Trinity before He was •'manifested in ethe flesh." He was not created Divine; He existed Divine, was one with God. "This repetition is not useless or un- meaning. Repetitions have diverse uses fection. In prophecy, certainty. In threatenings, unavoidableness and sud- denness. In precepts, a necessity of per- forming. In truths, like this, the ne- cessity of believing them." -Arrowsmith 5. The light shineth-"Christ has re- vealed Himself constantly, by creation, by providence, by the strivings of the Spirit, by the course of events, by the revelations of the prophets, and even by the dim intimations of heathen con- sciousness." And the light still shineth, clearer and brighter than in thep ast. In darkness -The darkness of sin, ignor- ance and unbelief has enshornded the world in all ages. Comprehended it not - Did not receive it or profit by it. But another translation in the margin of the 11- V. changes the meaning, -"the dark- ness overcame it not." "The light, though sometimes apparently overcome was really victorious; it withstood ev- ery assault, it shone on triumphantly in a darkened world." III. The herald of Christ's coining (vs. 6-9). 6. There was a man -See R. V. Liter- ally, "there began to be a man," in eon- hrast with the Word who had no be;*in- ning. Sent from God -God gave him his mission and his message, hie credentials and hie instructsun' -ane was ,. messen- ger. John -The Ilaptist. An account of his birth is given in Luke i., and of his manifestation as a prophet in Matthew iii. With Bine the evangelist had some personal acquaintance, and by him was prepared to receive Christ, who was the incarnate Word. A sleep significance at- taches to ,the name John, which means 'The gracious gift of Cod," and which was given from .heaven' 7. To bear wit- ness of the Light -Testimony, stronger mere than preacirnig, stronger even than prophecy as hitherto existing. John ap- pealed first 1s a preacher of repentance, but at the same time eh•owed himself a prophet, who completed the Old Testa- ment prophecy in testimony. His mis- sion rose into the office of forerunner. - Lange. All men believe --"In the divine purpose John was to lead over the faith of Israel to Christ, though the gos- pel was not for :the Jews alone, nor for a race or class, but for all hien, always and everywhere." 8. Not that light -John was not the source of light, but only a, reflector of the light; a lamp lighted. At this time some were still living who were inclined to place John the Baptist on an equality with Christ, Bence this plain declaration. John was indeed 'a burning and a shining light," or literally, "lamp"'(John v. 35), but he came only to herald the true Light." 9. That -Christ. Was the true Light -Not that John was a false light, but Christ was the "genuine, perfect light," and His niessenr er only -carried rays of light from Him. \Wild t lighten. ,every man -Not "all men." The Light illumines each one •einely, not all coilecl:- ively. Gori deals wdth men separately as individuals, not in masses. V. The divine sonship of believers (vs,• 12, 13). 12. As received Him -Individuals, with- out distinction of race, nationality or condition. As many as accepted Mini as their Saviour and King, aelauowledged His claims, and yielded oobo'1ienee..to lairs teaehings. Gave IIe power -"Tine right." -R. V. The original word combines both ideas -the right and the power. Both are true and both should be ae- eepted. Sons of God -See R. V. Cn the divine side, God adopts us as ohildren (Rome viii., 16, 17), and makes us diil- dren by imparting to us His own life (John iii,, 3, 5). On the human side, we must be born again, front above (John iii., 3, 5), by believing. • That believe • "Only those are children whn roceive.the divine life and the divine nature by true faith" 13, Bora---Spiritual birth, r'egen- erated Not of blood, -ete."N,o iuuian descent .Not, us into the family of trod,"' ---J., & 13. VI. Christ's revelation 'of the Father (vs, 14-18. 14. \Vas made flesh -As the human soul is united to 'the body, but not changed into the body, so the Eter- nal Word took on flesh, but was not changed into it, or confused with it,- Worusworth. The only begotten -We are children of God in a sense, but only Jesus Christ' is his Son in this highest and special meaning. Grace and truth - These were his giory. "Grace includes all mercy; truth, all justice." He was "full" of these . 15. Bare witness, etc. - It seems probable that this verse de- scribes the usual character of John's testimony concerning Christ, He was continually proclaiming Christ's superi- ority to himself. 16-18. We have here three great declarations about Christ: "1. It Is Christ alone who supplies all the spiritual wants of all believers, 2. Christ and his gospel as vastly superior to Moses and the law. 3. It is Christ alone who has revealed God the Father to man." Topic: Tho Wonderful Divine Savior. "Oh, it is wonderful, very, very wonder- ful, All his love and grace to met" Bible lights on the topic -For daily reading, Wonderful in his essential character (John i., 1-18). Wonderful in his name (Isa. ix., 1-7). Wonderful in his birth (Matt. ii., 1-12). Wonderful in his death (Mary xv., 25- 30). Wonderful in his resurrection (Luke xxiv., 1-12). Wonderful in his mission and method (Mark ii., 5-17). Wonderful in power and conquest (Rev. xix., 9-16). Lesson Building: A structural outline. I. The Savior Described (vs. 1-4). 1. He is from. all eternity (v. 1, f. c.). 2. He is very God (v. 1, L e.). 3. He is co -equal and co-partner with God (v. 2). 4. He is Creator of all things (v. 3). 5. He is a serve° of spiritual life and light (v. 4). II. The Savior Declared (vs. 5-9). 1. By his own nature and power (v. 5). 2. By divinely commissioned human agents (v. 0). 3. In order that men may be saved (v. 7). 4. B'eenuse lie alone can save, and he can save all (vs. 8, 9). III, The Savior Variously Estimated (vs. 10-131. 1. Multitudes are ignorance and reject him (v. M. 2. Mans are erejudieed and fail to re- ceive him (v. 11). 3. Some believe and receive him and are merle like him (v. 12). 4. This tree nti•itede and estimate are by divine elft end ernce (v. 13). TV. The c..y,"r Revealed (vs. 14. 151, 1. i;evenled lir birth and incarnation 1v. 141. 2. Revealed by his glorious life and works (v. 14). • 3. Revealed by the Holy Spirit speak- ing through man (v. 15). V. The Saviour shown sufficient (vs. 16-18). 1. By the testimony of the saved -"all we." 2. By the fact of abundance -"ful- ness." 3. Because IIe is God, and is from God -infinite in his perfection, love and power (v. 18). Illustrative: 1. Christ's fulness. -The noble river ]las been flowing for 6,000 years, watering fields and slaking the thirst of a hundred generations. The sun, as he shot above the crest of the moun- tains, or sprang up from the ocean bed, has molted the snows of many winters, renewed the verdure of many springs, painted the flowers of many summers, ripened the golden harvests of many au- tumns, and yet he shines as brilliantly as ever --bis eye not dim, nor his floods of light less full, for centuries of bound- less profusion. Yet ghat are these but images of the fulness in Christ --From Guthrie. 2. Christ's saving power. -"A Cornish minister was preaching one day to a con- grgation, in which were several sailors who had just been shipwrecked. He spoke of the sinner's danger; and intro- ducing the figure of a drowning sailor grasping eagerly at any fragment of the wreck, he presented Christ as the sure plank, exclaiming, 'This plank bears.' Fourteen years afterward he was called to the bedside of a dying stranger who referred to his use of the illustration, and added: 'Yes, this plank bears.'" Searchlights: 1. Bow great is man's sin that it was necessary for God him- self to save him. The great sinner and the great Saviour are just suited to each other. To create the stars he used his fingers, but to save pian he bared his right arm. 2. This Son of God descended to take our nature and die on the cross that we may be saved. 3. Jesus Christ by his power creates the world, and by his love and sacrifice re-creates it. 4. Every believer is "sent from God" to bear witness to the truth and to the Christ. 5. Christ is not known at all unless ho is known as a Saviour, by his death on the cross. 6. "Grace for grace," that is, grace suc- ceeding grace, and one grace preparing for another, is the blessed law of the new life. 7. Salvation is (1) provided for all, (2) adequate for all, (3) possible to all, (4) it must be made actual to each by per- sonal choice of Jesus as Saviour, 8, Christ's supernatural birth, death resurrection and ascension are the bright seals of heaven to his divine character and mission, 9. To reject Christ because of the mys- tery in his life and work is like refusing the light and beat of the sun because one does not understand it. 10. Christ has a right to man's love and obedience (1) because he is God, (2) because he is Creator,•(3) because he s -Saviour, (4) because he is the only Yon Cain Anf icinato Who! a Collons Tea "SALADAll Ceylon Tea must be by its enormous sale; but realization will .your taste for all thnc. captivate Ceylon Tea is Pure, Delicious, Wholesome. Sold only in sealed lead packets. Black, Mixed, of Natural GREEN. By all grocers. Received the gold medal and highest award at St. Louis. source of light and life, (5) beeaue he offers heaven and blessedness to all who will accept hini. o - James :1lcCowan Coon. 4 Have You a Skin Dlsesse?-Totter, Salt Rheum, Scald Head, Ringworm, Eczema, Itch, Barber's Itch, Ulcers, Blotches, Chronic Erysipelas, Liver Spots, Prurigo, Psoriasis, or other eruptions of the skin -what Dr. Ag- new's Ointment has done for others it can do for you -cure you. One application gives relief. -35 cents. -87 MORE REMEMBRANCES. A Number of .Attractive Christmas - Gifts for 'Friends. For a Woman. A fern. A Turkish towel. Any fine towel. One or more drawn -work doilies. A pretty jardiniere. One of the various fancy spoons. A chatelaine bag in real leather, Flannelette kimono. A bottle of her favorite toilet water. Handsomely hemstitched collar and cuff set. If she be in mourning a ribbon -bor- dered veil. Cut glass piece for her dressing table. Two pounds of glace fruit. How S. F. Cody, the Englishman A. nainsook cambric corset cover. Subscription to a dollar magazine. A cozy wooI snoalder shawl. Small piece of glass for the dining,- rom. There's a most useful little needle case. An attractive hook and chain for her eyeglass. Set of andirons. A good leather purge. A small plant -let it be full and thrifty, A dozen fringed tray cloths. Two yards of silence cloth for dining table. Grey -finish sterling; silver bat pin. Handsome little leather coin purse. For. a Maiden. A book. Gold thimble. Seal card case. Substantial dog -whip. Dainty desk ealen.dar. Imitation Irish crochet collar. Stock and tie of crepe de chine. Smart embroidered linen stock. Pretty openwork lisle stockings. Four pairs of eufs and half a dozen collars. Warm, long-sleeved. ribbed corset corer. A rich satin rote mounted on ahair- pin. Prettily spangled gauze fan -carefully drusen. Dainty box for her powder and puff. .Mistletoe headed hatpin, with pearl berries. A. pretty meeker for her prayer book. Silver whistle charm -in case of tree,- ble. Gun-metal charm, concealing a mirror. An eraser to note-( her desk things. A pair of lace party gloves. A very good pair of kid gloves. A dainty little pearl penholder. For a Man. Ash tray. Thermometer. A necktie. Silver scarfpin. Cheviot pajamas. A business -like alarm clock. A leather belt with a buckle. A sterling silver shoe horn. Jewel .case in black grain leather. A reading glass in a metal frame. Printed cushion cover for his den. A plain down cushion, ready to cover. A medicine case for a travelling man. Fountain pen. The ever -useful key ring. One of the convenient roller blotters. Choice of a variety of good cork- screws. A pair of suspenders. One of the simple dressing cases. A pair of alligator slippers. A household atlas of the world. A large muffler. Pair of bath slippers. A very good scrap book. A very good tag for his bag. Straight -back invoice hook. Two -blade pocketknife. Pair of knitted gloves. Good pair of ofiicc shears. Box of candy -he usually has a sweet tooth. A waste basket in willow. Very pretty magazine cutter. For a Boy. Blackboard. A kite. A game. Magic lantern. A megaphone. Pair of gloves. Handkerchiefs. Boxing gloves. Pair of bath slippers. A yacht that sails. Good, strong wheelbarrow. Football of real leather. 'A muscle -building striking bag. Trim case for his collar and cuffs, Pocket comb in a convenient case. A gold (more or less) collar button. Hat brush in handsome wood. A needed golf stick. Chest full of useful tools. All sorts of mechanical toys. Pair of mittens. For a Baby. A spoon. Gold linger ring. Plated gold safety pins. Silver -handled comb. A handsome new cloth animal. Sterling bracelet into which she will grow. A good plated gold pin. A very pretty silver lib holder. A dainty cap of white bengaline. A tame chamois animal. Becoming crochet cap in silk and wool. Crochet sacque in wool, with dainty silk edge. Handsome roller chimes. A music box that "goes." A bank warranted not to burst. Subscription to a pretty baby journal. Dear little doll if she old enough. What lel,kis You Despondent? - Has the stomach gone wrong? Has the nerve centres grown tired and listless? Are you threatened with nervous prostration? South American Nervine 1s Nature's corrector, makes the stomach right, gives a world of nerve force, keeps the circulation perfect. A regular constitution builder for rundown pe8ople. One lady says: "I owe my life to it." THE ROMAN KRIS MINGLE. Italian Children Wait Until After (Shristnies for Their Gilts. Tire Eve of Br.h:phany is awaited by Roman chilureu with the same hopeful feeling of expectation that CCh'ristmas Eve brings to German, English and American email folk. it le on the night before Epiphany, or "Twelfth bight," that "Bifana" arrives 0•ltir an armful of giiLe for good children. "Like Santa Claus," "Blfana" uses the chimney as a chzn' nen of communication. The name in evidently a distorted variant of the word Epiphany or Epiphania, the church festival celebrated on 7an- ua.ry 6th, the twelfth day after Cliristmee, in commemoration of the visit of the Magi, variously called the Three Wise lien or Three Kings of Cologne, to Bethlehem to worship the child Jesus. es As the wise mon brought offerings of gold and frankincense and myrrh, so "Bifania" is supposed to e:^ma with hog modest store oI gifts for tbe little ones. "Bifaua" is not beautiful, like tbe Circlet Child, nor mirthful and do- bonnaire like Santa Claus-. She is a troll, fiere e-Ioo:ciug woman of ilie ctrenaous order, dark complexioned anti frankly ugly. Down the ch mncy abo tumbles on Epiphany Eve, with a long cane un- der her arm, and tinkling a little bell faint- as Rho unpacks toys to glace in the stockings of good child- • ren and guts a bag of ashes in the ltosierer of the unlucky naughty boy or girl. The little folks tremble beneath their bed clothe; when they think they hear "Bifnna's" tinkling hell. They draw the coverlet over their. faces to bide until the desired yet dreaded visitation be over. Mothers and nurses encourage their charges during the year in be'_ lief that Bifana will reward their goodness, and I3'fana's name is also used to threaten the wayward and to rmoven L them from active iniebe- h'a.vior. Many of Bifano's playthings mire either dolts or whsitles. The whistle Is as much a art of this Italian- feast as the Christmas horn Is of the children's enjoyment of the Feaet of the Nativity. There oro Rom'tn. whistles made of terra-cotta ronghly instating beast or bird shineea, or of pewter, with a revolv- ing attnclnuent which flies about when you blow the whistle. The Itaitane account for the nps- parition of B'fana by the following legend : The Bifana was, it seems am od WOW n and vigorous house- wi'e, 'who f'onrished some nineteen hundred years ago. It seems she wa.sbuery epga,grcl in cleaning ]Louse when the Three King a gassed by cm -- eying, their treasures to offer at the telly ernd'e at Bethel:Mem• Bifnna was loudly called to come to the window and Fee the kings pass, but Fite declined to i-ut clown her broom, and said she hadn't time to stop her sweeping, excusing herself by adding.; "I will see them as they re.. torn." .. ilnmortunately for thea busy house- wife. int enuery fortunate for Ital- ian children the Alegi took another', way ham'^. The o`d hou'ewife men n_ While Is a1117pnserl to wander wait- ing for them by the aide of the road witr'rr' hnr bonne. Once stood, and stilt holding her broom in hand. ' Nn r10 let in time the bushy end of the broom wore out, e.ndi rel'heprs th+nt is why T.ifana is a.lwnvs anti - eel with a long: stick. On Egiphanp• Eve, the nnniveran.ry, Banana le at Nberty to fly about. and now tries fn "o'low the r'xonlrio of the atugilet Meg'', talri"g n, leaf out of their hook by bringing gresents to little child- ren. .tl a1i� ea711 vreahelteettteelf ZAP., '' '11E BAKETS .Ws' eifff ".ryes +ice 071x?"37de9'8°" J Toronto Farmers' Market, The offoringe of grain on the street toe day were fair, with prices steady as a rule. Wheat is easier; 200 bushels each of red and white sold at 31.01 to 31.02 per bushel, Barley steady, 500 bushels sell- ing at 48 to 49e per bushel; oats easy, 500 bushels selling at 35e per bushel; buck- wheat, 100 bushels sold at 650 per bushel. Hay quiet and firmer, with sales et 25 loads at 39 to $11 a ton for timothy, and at $7 to 38 for mixed. Straw is firm, two loads selling at 310 to 311 a ton. latter Dressedfor ligut, hogs are steady at 36.50 to 37, the Wheat, new, per bushel :.3 1 00 to $ 1 09 Do., red, bushel .. .. .. .. 1 00 to 1 02 Dos„ spring, bushel ......0 95 to 1 00 Do.,bgooseushel, bushel ......0 88 to 88% oat ,. .. Barley, bushel .... ,. .... 00 4536 to to 00 4009 Rye, bushel ... .. .. .. .... 0 80 to 000 Peas, bushel .. .. .. .... 0 70 to 0 1)0 Buckwheat, bushel ........0 55 to 0 00 Hay, timothy, per ton .. .. 9 00 to 11 00 Do., mixed, per ton ,.., .. 7 00 to 8 00 Straw, per ton .... .... .. 10 00 to 11 00 Seeds- Alsike, No. 1, bushel ., 6 50 to 7 25 Do., No. 2, bushel ., .... 5 00 to 5 76 Do., No. 3, bushel ...... 400 to 4 50 Red clover .... 6 00 to 7 01) Timothy .... .. ,. .. .. 100 to 135 Dressed hogs .. .. .. .. 6 50 to 7 00 Apples, per bbl. ,. .. .. .. 1 00 to 2 26 Eggs, per dozen .. .. .. .. 0 25 to 0 30 Butter, dairy .... .. .. ..., 0 19 to 0 21 Do., creamery ,- .. .. 0 22 to 0 26 Chickens, spring, per ib. 0 09 to 0 10 Ducks, ' per lb. . . , .. .. 0 10 to 0 11 Turkeys, per lb. .. .. .. 0 14 to 0 15 Cabbage, per dozen .... .. .. 0 25 to 0 40 Potatoe, per ba .. .., .. 0 80 to 1 00 Cauliflower, per dozen .... .. 0 60 to 1 00 Onions, per bag .. .. ,. ., 100 to 1 35 Celery, per dozen .. .- .. 0 20 to 0 40 Beef, hin.hu.1 rs .. .,.. 7 00 ;to 8 00 Do., forequarees ., „ .. 4 50 to 6 00 1)0., choice, carcase .. ., 6 75 to 7 00 Do., medium, carcase .. .. 5 60 to 6 00% Mutton, per cwt. „ .. 5 50 to 6 00 Veal, per cwt. .. „ ,. .... 7 50 to 8 50 L mbs, per cwt. .. ,. .... 7 00 to 7 50 Leading Wheat Markets. ttt May $1.Dec-1671 $1.11, 1.15?1 1.1771 1.14%% 1.167 1.08 1.11 . .. .. .... .. 1.08 1.11% 1.06 1.11 New Yorlc .... Detroit .... .. Toledo .... .. Duluth .. St. Louis , . Minneapolis ... British Live Stock Market, London, Dee. 1e. -Live cattle are quoted at 9?1e to 13e per pound; refrigerator beef at 9c to Mc per pound; sheep at 10o to 124 e Per pound. Bradstreet's on Trade. Bradstreet's advices from Montreal say: The volume of wholesale trade in a general way is fair. As regards the goods for which the demand is accelerated by the approach of Christmas, the trade is brisk, and it looks as though the country felt able to spend money on the season's festivities. The manufacturing indus- tries generally continue active, and val- ues continue steady to firm. The coon. - try trade has not been so brisk. The wholesalers in a number of lines here are busy stock -taking. The spring movement in certain departments has begun with a vigor that premises well. There is fair activity in wholesale eir- eles at Toronto. The colder weather has had a good effect upon the movement of seasonable lines, and the sorting trade generally is satisfactory, although this is never a brisk season. The wholesalers are meeting with a good demand for holi- day goods, and much more frequently than in yeai's,past this demand is shown for goods of high finality. The continued prosperity of the west is universally felt to favor a continuance of good trade con- ditions here. At Quebec wholesale trade in general shows no great signs of activity. Colder weather is wanted. Colleetious are still slow. According to Bradstreet's advices, trade conditions at Winnipeg are satis- factory in all departments. The Amer- ican demand for Canadian wheat has had. Inc effect of materially raising prices, and although grain is pretty well out of the farmers' .hands, this is. a factor in the country's prosperity. Victoria and Vancouver reports to Bradstreet's say: There is an improve- ment in the condition of wholesale trade here. There is talk of an end to the trouble in the lumber trade, but nothing, vary definite is announced on this score. There is a continued depression in the salmon industry. Hamilton reports to Bradstreet's soy the wholesale movement of Christidas goods is heavy and trade generally is fairly active. Retail stocks are meeting with a better demand, and collections are improving somewhat. The industries are active and trade prospects are bright. Business conditions at London are fair- ly satisfactory. The pre -.holiday trade sa far compares favorably with that of for- mer years. Bradstreet's advices say the volume of wholesale trade at Ottawa is fairly large, although in some lines more of it is on account of the coming holidays. Cobwigger-I thought I gave you motley the other day 'to buy Christ - mag presents for your frie':ds ? Mrs. Cobw'gger-1 know you did, my, dear. 13ut the things I bought are ea lovely I've decided to keep them for, nlyseif.-December Smart Set.