SCRIPTURE READING EXERCISE.

SPECIAL LESSON—TWO SUBJECTS.

SPECIAL TEXT: "For the earth is full, and there is enough and to spare; yea, I prepared all things, and have given unto the children of men to be agents unto themselves. Therefore, if any man shall take of the abundance which I have made, and impart not his portion, according to the law of my gospel, unto the poor and the needy, he shall, with the wicked, lift up his eyes in hell, being in torment." (Doc. & Cov., Sec. 104, 17-18.)

NOTES.

1. Collecting Materials: The most difficult thing in the treatment of a subject is the gathering of material—"thought-gathering." You must have material, data. Then if the student would be anything more than a mere repeater of other men's thoughts, a mere mouth for other men's ideas, this data must be thought upon, considered in every possible light that it may give birth to new ideas in his own mind, that he may bring some gift, born of his own intellectual effort, to the subject in hand. Take for example the two subjects of this lesson; merely announce the subjects without giving any references to material treating upon them, and doubtless some of our younger members would be at a loss to know how to go about gathering the materials for a treatise upon these subjects. The references, however, are given, and now the student is supposed to consult every passage given and read it with care. But he should not be content with reading just the passage cited, let him read the context. Search for other passages bearing upon the same general subject, and there are many of them; for our references never exhaust the material; they are intended only to barely give enough to help start the student upon the subject. Then let there be reflection upon what is read, out of which there will grow new thoughts—at least new to the student—and these combined after his own fashion with the ideas of the passages consulted and works read, will constitute his material for his address or paper. The note following this on "thought-gathering" is a propos and might be regarded as a continuation of this. (Read also in this connection note —, Lesson —.)

2. Thought-Gathering: "After the subject upon which we are to speak has been determined, the logical order of preparation is, first, gathering material; second, selecting what is most fitting and arranging the whole into perfect order; third, fixing this in the mind so that it may be available for the moment of use. These processes are not always separated in practice, but they may be best considered in the order indicated. When the subject is chosen and the mind fastened upon it, that subject becomes a center of attraction and naturally draws all kindred ideas toward it. Old memories that had become dim from the lapse of time are slowly hunted out and grouped around the parent thought. Each hour of contemplation that elapses, even if there is not direct study, adds to the richness and variety of our available mental stores. The relations between different and widely separated truths become visible, just as new stars are seen when we gaze intently toward the evening sky. All that lies within our knowledge is subjected to a rigid scrutiny and all that appears to have any connection with the subject is brought into view. Usually a considerable period of time is needed for this process, and the longer it is continued the better, if interest in the subject is not suffered to decline in the meanwhile. But it is somewhat difficult to continue at this work long enough without weariness. The capacity for great and continuous reaches of thought constitute a principal element in the superiority of one mind over another. Even the mightiest genius cannot, at a single impulse, exhaust the ocean of truth that opens around every object of man's contemplation. It is only by viewing a subject in every aspect that superficial and one-sided impressions can be guarded against. But the continuous exertion and toil this implies are nearly always distasteful, and the majority of men can only accomplish it by a stern resolve. Whether acquired or natural, the ability to completely "think out" a subject is of prime necessity; the young student at the outset should learn to finish every investigation he begins and continue the habit during life. Doing this or not doing it will generally be decisive of his success or failure from an intellectual point of view. Thought is a mighty architect, and if you keep him fully employed, he will build up with slow and measured strokes a gorgeous edifice upon any territory at all within your mental range. You may weary of his labor and think that the wall rises so slowly that it will never be completed; but wait. In due time, if you are patient, all will be finished and will then stand as no ephemeral structure, to be swept away by the first storm that blows, but will be established and unshaken on the basis of eternal truth." (Extempore Speech, Pittenger, pp. 159-161.)

3. Referring again to our suggestions for the frame work of a speech, consisting of:

Introduction,

Discussion,

Conclusion,

I desire to point out how well this idea is carried out in Paul's soul-thrilling and successful speech before King Agrippa, recorded in Acts xxvi:

The audience is august; there is Porcius Festus, Roman procurator of Judea; Agrippa, a King and Grandson of Herod the Great, and Bernice, sister of Agrippa; there were also present the chief captains attendant upon these high officers, and the principal men of the city of Caesarea gathered in the place of hearing, "with great pomp." Into this presence Paul is brought in chains and introduced. The cause of his imprisonment is briefly stated with the fact that he had appealed to Caesar, and now Paul is informed by Agrippa that he may speak for himself.

THE INTRODUCTION.

Paul (stretching forth his hand)—"I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews; wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

DISCUSSION.

My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers; unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night hope to come. For which hope's sake, King Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.

Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the Saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? and he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet; for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Whereupon, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: but shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me. Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: And to the Gentiles—

Festus (in a loud voice)—"Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

CONCLUSION.

Paul—"I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.

Agrippa—"Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian."

Paul—"I would to God that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds."