_The Completeness of the Four Gospels:_ Much is made of the differences between John and the first three Gospels, not only as to the facts related, but also with reference to the style of Jesus' addresses. But the difficulty disappears when we remember that Matthew, Mark, and Luke present the scenes of Christ's Galilean ministry among the rude peasantry who were less acquainted with the law than their southern brethren, and who needed simple and direct teaching; on the other hand, John sets forth mainly Christ's Judean ministry among those who were conversant with the law and were accustomed to elaborate discussions. The ministry of one year implied by the Synoptists, considered by themselves, does not exclude the three years' ministry which is derived from John's Gospel, for the four taken together supplement each other. (Date of Our Gospels, p. 35-6.) LESSON IV. SPECIAL LESSON. _THE PECULIAR FORCE OF MORAL DUTIES WHEN REGARDED AS COMMANDMENTS OF GOD._[1] _Illustrations:_ (a) Observance of the "Lord's Day." (b) Honor thy Father and thy mother. (c) Thou shalt not bear false witness. (d) Thou shalt not steal. (e) Thou shalt not covet. (f) "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. * * * Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." _SPECIAL TEXT: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: fear God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man."_ _NOTES._ 1. _Suggestions in the Formation of a Lecture:_ In a previous lesson on lectures, I made some suggestions in relation to the construction of a lecture (Lesson XI, Part II), quoting from a little work by William Pittenger on "Extempore Speech," calling attention to the simple framework of a lecture, consisting of, 1. _The Introduction;_; 2. _The Discussion_; 3. _The Conclusion_. I now give from the same work an example in outline of such a speech. "Subject--The Ocean. "1. _Introduction_--The vastness of the ocean. No one person has seen more than a small part of it. Power evidenced by storm and shipwrecks. "2. _Discussion_.--Five great divisions of the ocean. Use in nature, watering and tempering the land; in commerce, as a highway; in history, by dividing and uniting nations; its mystery, etc. "3. _Conclusion_.--Proof of the Creator's power and wisdom found in the ocean. "THE SAME PLAN CONDENSED. "Subject--The Ocean. "1. _Vastness and Power_. "2. _Parts, Use, and Mystery_. "3. _Evidence_. "DEAN SWIFT'S SERMON. "(Illustrating above plan.) "This eccentric clergyman once preached a sermon shorter than its own text, yet having all the three parts of which we have spoken. The text was Prov. xix: 20: "'He that pitieth the poor lendeth to the Lord; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.' "The sermon was: "'Brethren, you hear the condition; if you like the security, down with the dust.' "The collection is said to have been munificent.