Bible Readings for the Home Circle Part 193

15. What did Christ say would be their experience in obeying His instruction?

"If ye know these things, _happy are ye if ye do them_." Verse 17.

16. How does Christ regard an act performed toward the humblest of His disciples?

"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, _ye have done it unto Me_." Matt. 25:40.

NOTE.-The great lesson intended to be taught by the inst.i.tuting of this ordinance evidently was such humility as would lead to willing service for others. The ordinance itself has been practised by many of the most devout followers of Christ during the Christian era, and is still observed by some. Kitto, in his Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature, says it became "a part of the observances of the early Christian church," and that "traces of the practise abound in ecclesiastical history." The Waldenses held it as an ordinance of the church (see their "Confession of Faith,"

page 12); and according to the Cyclopedia of Biblical Literature (Vol. III, page 616), "the Church of England at first carried out the letter of the command." It is a great test of character, and its observance tends to unite hearts in Christian fellows.h.i.+p and love.

I will never, never leave thee, I will never thee forsake; I will guide, and save, and keep thee, For My name and mercy's sake: Fear no evil, Only all My counsel take.

PART XV. ADMONITIONS AND WARNINGS

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

The Dream Of Pilate's Wife. "Have thou nothing to do with that just Man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of Him." Matt.

27:19.

Pride

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Jonah And The Whale. "Pride goeth before destruction." Prov. 16:18.

1. How does the Lord regard pride?

"Six things doth the Lord _hate: ... a proud look_," etc. Prov. 6:16-19.

2. Of what is pride a forerunner?

"Pride goeth before _destruction_, and an haughty spirit before _a fall_."

Prov. 16:18. See Prov. 29:23.

3. What was the cause of Satan's downfall?

"Thine heart was _lifted up because of thy beauty_." Eze. 28:17.

4. What is G.o.d's att.i.tude toward the proud?

"G.o.d _resisteth_ the proud." James 4:6. See Ps. 40:4; 101:5; 138:6; 1 Tim.

6:4.

5. Why should we not indulge in pride?

"An high look, and a proud heart, ... is _sin_." Prov. 21:4.

6. What is to be one of the sins of the last days?

"Men shall be ... _proud_." 2 Tim. 3:2.

7. How are the proud now generally regarded?

"Now we call the proud _happy_." Mal. 3:15.

8. What is to be the fate of the proud?

"All the proud ... shall be stubble: and _the day that cometh shall burn them up_." Mal. 4:1.

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Nathan's Parable. "The rich man ... spared to take of his own flock, ...

but took the poor man's lamb, and dressed it." 2 Sam, 12:2-4.

Selfishness

[Ill.u.s.tration.]

Jacob Deceiving His Father. "Thou shalt not covet." Ex. 20:17.

1. What great commandment excludes selfishness?

"Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Matt. 22:39.

2. What sin is forbidden by the tenth commandment?

"Thou shalt not _covet_." Ex. 20:17.

3. What sins are to characterize the last days?