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-.atthew 1-2-Jul y 1;:: the Citrla. :hie Son Of - l ? - Ur :,Tnster. wi~wi; nd with Lecommn mas:. -s:nod to dar: 0w g reatne s s. I Le allow ed 11.- i - - . L to te 11 t 4 i - disciples that be proceeded -and (nme forth n : G Md ad that in ti. per?or:ning of miracles. and panLicularly in his t.eachings, he was the finger of God and hi: mouth-piece. .Toln the Plaptist was sent to be Iris special fore-runner. It was te that declared that Jesus was "the Lamb of God whi':h taketh away the sin of the world." It was he that declareth that the Mastetvr hwas so much greater than himself that ie was not worthy to stoop down nvd loose the Master's sandals. But after John had borne limo wness. tcstifyin, 'Thir is he." and had declared that he saw- the holy Spirit descending upon .losus like a dove. an,.' that this was a sign given him whereby he might know his Messiahship. tn came the time for the Master to bring the matter pointedly to the attention of his followers. John had been vast into prison and later had been beheaded. -John's prophetic testmony was fulfiuled, when he said of .insuis. "Ue must iii 'crease, but l\must decrease." The mission of Jesus and his Apostles bee,:ime -core prominent every day, and those who had formerly 'taUced about Joho Nvere now asking respecting ,esus. whether he was a prophet sent of (,)d. (.r whether be was the Messiah. % Do the nilers indeed know 'whether this is ; Messiah or-not? Surely ,"no man coud do the mirarls's which he oth d i'- * God be with him" in some special manner. Our Lord first inquired r'espeetin:t the general opinion of khe people eon: cerning himself. le did this, not because of his own ignorance, but that :zc might draw out the thoughts of his disciples. They replifd tbat some thonii. he was John the Baptist: others supposed he was one of the prophets. The ideas of the heathen were gradually making inroads upon the liews. The doctrine of reincarnation, wholly tinscriptural, i* suggested In these answer". All the answers, of course, were wrong, for the propbots wni'e il dead ziuz could not reappear until the resurrection. Then our Loird pointedly pu. the question to his chosen followers: "Who do ye say that I nm?" The courageois St Peter promptly answered as spokesman for the whole compaiy, "Thou art the Christ rMessiahl, the Son of the living God." This was the very answer designed to be brought forth. It was the truth, but our Lord hesitated to present it, because it would better come from theedisciples themselves and then have his endorsement. His answer to St. Peter was, "Blessed art thou. Simon Bar-jona, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it 'into thee, but my .Father which is in heaven." It was not that St. Peter had experienced a special vision or revelation. but such a great spiritual fact as was then under consideration, at that time could be appreciated only 6y those who were specially favored of the Father. Indeed, it Is evident that the same principle still operates, for we read. "No man can come %into me, except the Father which sent me draw him." Our primary drawing and calling is of the Father up to the time when we accept his grace in hrist and make our consecration to do his will and receive the spirit of adoption into his family as God's children: we are then put into the school of ('hrist to learn of him. Let ifs learn the lesson that the special bless ings alwny'4 come, not only from believing in '-brist, hut nso from confessing to and hfore others. Accordirn: to the Greek, our 1.nrd rf), ied to Peptr. 'T'hu ar:'t a stone, and upon this roc;k will I build my ('rrk" The reek upon rhi:ch the Church is biit is this onfes'n whieh St er' m::he. St. i'oter hi.self was not the rock, but be wast one of the livi::: stons built by faith upon rhe reck of truth. It was this anm' Apostle who 4 :1 u ifully explained the whole matter, as si:ring us that all consoernt l:ers are "living stones" in the temple of' Cod. whose foundation :nd i-ap stone is Christ. in whom we are builded to gether through the operntion of the holy 'pirit.- Peten :4-7. The expression, "Upein th;is reeck I will build my Church and the gates of hell [hades] shall not 'prevaii a;:inst It." is one that is much misunderstood. The gates of hell are not gates to some place of torture, nor gates to purga tory. They are, in the Greek, "gates of hades," and hades signifies a state or condition of death. The passage might well be translated, "The gates of the grave shall not prevnill against it." That is to say, Christ Jesus invites the Church to de with hi.to sbari-his. sae -ia.den thandhil - - arently, the gates of hadc. hare prevailed against the Church, against God's - people, for more than eighteen centuries, nevertheless, we jhave the assurance -that they shall not forever prevail. The Master's assurance is that by his -death he hans becomne Lord of ail and hais the keys of death and huad.e Be llas the rtght to open iarles, tbe tomb, and to cnll forth all who have gone .down into it, He assures us that he will do this, as he says. "All that are in their grav'es sall hear the voice of the Son of mian und shall come forth." Nevertheless, for all these centuries it has required f'aith to believe that, by dying wilh Christ, his followers shall yet 1've with himn-that sharing with him in his death they shall yet share with him in his- resurrection to the glory, -honor and immortality of the Divine nature. So, then, our Lord's words mean that there 'will be a resurrection from the grave, and since the Church is to be "'a kind of flrstfrttits unto God of his creatures" (.!amnes 1:1S; Revelation 14:4). her'reaurrection means. indirectly, this result, the uplifting of mankind, the opening of the grnve to every member of the human family. - The giving of the "keys'' of the Kingdom to St. Peter has no reference to locks and bars of heaven, over which St. Peter is the custodian.~ The Church in the present time is the Kingdom of Heaven in its preparatory or embryotic: state. and St. Peter was privileged to do the opening work to the Gospel Charcha. He opened the door to the Jews at Pentecost, when, as the mouth piece of the Lord, he proclaimed the mnenning of the Peytecostal blessing and the Jiepcs :hen open to every- .Iew corming.z Individually into membership in -Christ.'Fi te ue the second "key" to open the same kingdom privileges to the Gentiles, in that when th'e due time came for Cornelius, the first Gentile con vert, to be recei'ved. St. Pcter did the work. Ry preaching to Cornelius the Gospel and by baptizing him into Christ he threw open the door to the G;entiles, as our Lord foretold in the words of this lesson. * St Peter's commission that 'whatever things he sho'uld bind on earth should be bound in heaven and what things he should loose on earth should be loosed in heaven, is the same that was given to the other Apostles. (See Matthew 18:18.) It does not mean, of course. that the Lord has turned mat ters over to) St. Peter and made him Lord of heaven and earth, nor that any or all of t'v Auostles were so honored. It simply mens this: God purposes to use htis .\:d l'-s :ned to so hold up theuir hnwis. in all their affairs, that the whole~ (Th'v :n:l y have confidence itn them, and mnay recognize their teach insa of &-.d. If' they declared that certin 11of the' commuadments under the .Jewi:!h 1:n ' wet'- not binding upon Chrtistion~s. we must k'now that their sta~tmt1 - were true, andl that. similar~tly. in heav'en, the r:'iense or' change is recogniz'.l And if t heylbound ccertain do:cti'5 ::nd teacihings. we must know that -those' ar'e boundl and fimly establishal~ i;n lheav'en. In other words, we mus~t reeng"'~t,'i th:' .\postles as God's inherent mnouthpie'es. -The ti:m for proc'laiming .!esus als ;the Mlessiah did not come un~tli ~after his death :w'd resulrrcCtionl. Indeed his M!essialesiip pr'operly dates from his resurre'tionf. He~ desired his disciples to re:cognizel him properly, and he expkained to ithem aliout his approaching death and resurrection, but he did not *wishi ih:!) to pr'oclaim this to the' world until the due time. St. Peter, perhaps elat- a1 with the Lord's commendation of his previous speech. under took now 'the r'ole of teacher to the on:e whom he had just acknowledged as the *Messiazi in this he erred. It was in sympazthyi that he urged that the Master should in;t ih-nk of any steps whicht lead to sut~ering and death, but should rather of prospierity and eatrthly favor, yet our Lord's reproof was pointed. He said: Tou area my adversary, Peter. when you thus speak to me. You will thus endeaver -to dissuad"' me from doing my Father's will, to hinder me-from drinting the cup which my Father has poured for me; your counsel is that common t.: G- world and not of God. Sihnilarly. the followers of .Tesus sometimes need to resist their friends, who thus ''fer' counsel contrary to Divine will and word and providence. These shor.i not be encouraged nor their advice followed. They need corree tion fromi th 'r fellow disciples. as did St. Peter. The v or 'of Peter fr;: :hed the Miaster' an opportunity for callimg the attentin"''" followers to the terms of discipleship. Not only must the Master hiL .-' suffter, but aill of his followers likewise. This course was pro vidJed for e~ ' oe- and whoever would flee from it would lose t!he eternal life W'' ~ hoe"v would take up his cross andt follow~~ th .a' tel t -et'''~ ee- mnai-e sure of his share in ete'rnal liee on the' ~tenr ln plain se't' n ' s3S hd alreVdy pledged their cart bly lives. antd fr t'~ to V 1.- - f'i '.:v~di: :zl:ant:gC. would :nean that the-y v'~mid lose -t. '-i- - - - :'ue oL the word in general. but moert~y of the --.' *". to 'e of he eot. Royal Priesthood. I~C I:~'~-~~re'" I hs second comning. when he would come in -.e grv . 'e Fathr and wi:-. 1:ingels (mecssengers)-nlot again as a an -as - sz.~ri.- \t ther timeC o' b' ceend coming he would reward evcry oneC 9f ~j' ~ ~~'' - 'ozdn - nit alhfulness of etci'. He0 concluded tins ref eree~ ~.- - . --- h-- ii:- -ssurmn> - ha t some~. of t!-n would they rr: 'priual'l: e 'yb 1~~~ Q:'"' cay.,wl if the pcale of (rd give: place in their hears to the, discontent which is growing in the world, not withstandi:g the multiplication of our comiforts ind priviflges. Daily Hcarenly MannC contains a col lection of, Scripture texts with appro priate quotations for every day in the year. Surely the little tithe of time daily spent in partaking of its morsels of heavenly counsel cannot fail to profit all who partake. - It is published to do good-not for profit. Your Friends' Birth Dates. An autograph and birthday record feature in this book is a great conveni ence. Opposite each dany of the year are blank lines upon which you can secure the autographs of your friendz and be reminded of their birthdays as they occur. Thip makes the book r-ort Talunbie yearly. In ,ten years yol would not sell it for ten dollars. Besides it has a place for Birth Rec ords, Marrige Records and Death Ree ords. "Ao i has a table showing th day of the week of any date for on( hundred and fifty ye.a.rs. Printed on bond writing paper, blu cloth. handsome. Price. 35 cents post paid: imitation alligator skin. gold edges. $1.00 postpaid. Order now. Bi ble and Tract Society. 17 Uieks Street Brooklyn, N. Y. 11 J;,das tho Ungrateful Apostate The world is full of sadly disap poiptig characters. In many thing we all fail. Selfishness. meanness pe-versity, pride. etc.. mark the hu man family most woefully. Ru1 withal can anyone find anything mior< reprehensible than the ingrate wht vould betray his best friend? The world is of one opinion respect Ing such characters as that of Judas And although he is a noted exampit he is by no means an exception; then are many. Some of them live today But whoever can see the meanness oj such a disposition with a reasonalW good focus will surely be saved froi. manifesting such a character. however mean might be his disposition. The man who could sell his 'Master for thir. ty pieces of silver is justly in contemp1 with all humanity. Nor was it mneroly the thirty pieces that influenced the in grate. Rather it' wzn: pride He had thought to be associhted with th;- Min ter in an earthly throne. le had se; his faith upn this expectation. Now that same Mlaster explained more fully that the throne was not yet in sight: 'it ....ao-n age to follow this. ad was~to be given only to those who should prove themselves loyal atnd faithful unto death. In the mind of Judas the matter took not tihe wisest and best way. Holding the Great Teacher in contempt. the dleceived. oUe probably intended that the delivery should be merely a temporary one-a lesson, to the M1aster not to talk that way, not to carry matters too far-an incentive to him. compelling him to exert . his power for the resistance of tho'se who sought his life and thus, in exalting himself. mnake good to his disciples the phare in the Kingdom~ which he hmd promised or. failhug of this, to wreck the entire project. Alas. the love of money. the love of powe; puf up and make delirious some who become intoxicated with ambition. Howv necessary that ::ll the Lord's fal lowers remaember thle message. "Hec that humblh-th himnsel f shall be exalted and he rhatt ex:iteth himself shall be abased:- TIumble yourselves, there fore, under the mighty hand of God, that be may exalt you In due time" (I Peter v, 0). Her Age. Whe-n a girl asks you to guess I]er age. il you think she is twenty-olne take oftf two. if you .hink she is twen t-th-ee t~a ofC three. if you think sta is t wenty-ive :ke oig four. aiod sC) ou This ;vill :tend to mak'e you piopul; Exchan. . POR SP.~ EE2Y REtiEF TAKE 'ii is T -4 lecting I I Stc M~ven's, I and ove * of Pan ts wvilil be ALL Statement of tzbe c.ondition uf the Bank of ,Ni'ris, located at Norris, S. C., at the close of basirne~s Fb. 3rd 1911. RESOURCES: Loans :und Discounts.$ 25,793.64 Over draf ts...... . .........2189 61 Bonds and stocks owned1 by Bank.................. 10C0 C Banking House.... .... .....1,351.16 Furniture and Fixtures.... 2,065.09 Due from Banks and Bankers .9,':4 33 Curren~cy........ .. .......1,100 fl0 Silver and other Coin.......26.z53 Total,...... .... ... ....42,901 36 Unpitdl Stook Paid In.... . 20.000O.00 Undivided Profits, 1.-ss Current Expens sand Tax Paid . .. .. 55. 74 Indiv;dual Deposits snbj c0t to Ch c4...............1. 1 1G75 (.e>rt fi: nr s of Depa r 8.471. 13 cash; ur's t heels...............:9-74 I]ilis Payable, incindma (Cr tificates for money borrow< di 5,000.00) Total................... 842,91.30 soata of South Carolina, County of Pickens. Be-for.- ine cam.- E. V. Tat'. (Cash ier of th- aibov- nam; -.1'bank, who baing duly sworn. says that the abere and foregoing sttement is a true con dition of said bank, as shown by the books of said bank. E. W. Tate. Sworn to and s.be~e before me tirs 9th C'ay of Febh.. '911. Rh. M. BAKER, Notary Public. Correc- in-st1 .A. '.LiSTEP, i.G. PHiLLIPN, - i -hiecr.. * I want a good man nthTEr as Local Agent for one county. or as General Agenm for a num-ber of *counties. Thss a anew proposition. a nd offers you an opportunity to I make from $25.00 to S90on a week. Iand on up to $8l.000 or $:o0.,-, a butar Na e-:pe-sen isncsoay buw w. a- r:*-yun e. ad-wi wow~i :-tus .qwnd who w'il d his Ievel best One of :ny men 'Hiram Purdy) to'-a twny seven 'orders. the- f:.. day out (sworn si'?emen p ro~it $4O .* wenty-sx orders next dav I Gr-earteri se.-i.c e Luisn fl net Near:.. *eniral ace:: .em :li: extesr r . :r-e ' nrof ie to y Ou. Soies rx up . r :. ... '4oo.coo sold in four rnont:hs. Fie:M s:r-. touched. Agents cln ig :noriey. c::t -1erri tory rat once. n e w x't :.o03 represen ta-ves. d Send you~r narne Lenduddreson a ost::i card 9' for comnplete io:tier: free. Territory is golngfa.st. Write today. Address The N4EVER-FALl CO.] 4 I) 23 JA~ . I UA.jj rU~.T01 nrom the MA unoth ekof (1othing~ per cent dis= count 'LOTHING-Con .isting of 3ovs' and Chnuilren's sUIs rcoats. Also on all kinds thi sale la:sts everything zold or SPOT CASH. Y~4. ALTERATIONS FRE ITLHCHL TIO THE TALOR We will finish our aunual stock-taking. All short length and odds and ends will be placed on the BARGAIN COUI TER. This will mean~ a big saving to those who can u these short lengths. K A few pair all wool Blankets at less than cost, - All goods will be marked down to prices that will move the1 We must have the room March ist. Now is ysur timo for Bargains. I "'o~re GoodsFor Less Money" ETIWAN FERTILIZERS ~ Have grown the best crops for - Forty Three Years Long experience in selecting materials, great care in manu fac:uring and conscientious effort in every department have combined to make them the standard of excellence. The success of ynnir ero":, r''t FalP (:pends largely upon the Fertilizer you use. Insist upon having THiL FERTILIZER OF QUALITY And be assured of Sucessul F[Ili Results