The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-19
OUR RnLTG1ous COLUMN.
PETERS 0RDINA TTON.

~ AkAf - NAfDAAN<A AAONs
1t was simple ceremony, in fact so very
simple that it could not be called ceremony
except for Its singular impressiveness. 1t
lacked all pomp and circumstances it was not
pre-announced it embraced no form known to
ancient or modern usage It had not the air of
public and memorable event. but of an ordi-
nary after-dinner conversatlon-and it would
have been ordinary but for the earnestness of
the souls engaged in it, and for the far-reaching
consequences of which It was the germ.
Thesurroundings were not of cathedral arches,
mosaic affairs, gilded symbols, and rlchly-robed
congregations. On the contrary, there was no
building but the broad dome of heaven; no altar
but fire of Goals; no symbols but the frag-
ments of repast no spectators but ill-clad
fishermen fresh from their tolls on the sea- Nor
did mitred bishop lift up holy hands to confer
spiritual powers. He who presided wore no
insignia but those of suffering. On his hand
was no ring, but In his hands was the print of
the nails. Over his garment neither stole nor
chasuble, but under his garment the mark of
spear. He whO stood before him was not
college-brod licentlate whose acceptable preach
ing had marked him as a suitable candidate for
the pastoral Office. but an unlearned and igno-
rant man, whose tastes were vulgar, whose en-
ployments were menial, whose impulses were
reckless and whose last public exposition had
been replete with lies and profanity.
Yet there was not wanting ecclesiastical au-
thority on the one side nor spiritual capacity
on the other Beneath that simple Jewish garb
were the very flesh and bones of the glorihed
body of Jesus Christ, the Anointed One the
King of Israel, the Head of the Church. the
Son of God and Man risen from the dead. Be-
meath that fishers coat, still wet with the impa-
Al Aol- Ill
a man to whom had been promised the keys of
the kingdom ofheaven, upon whom, In common
with apostles and prophets, was to be built
holy temple for the habitation of God through
the Spirit.
In accordance with this absence of forms, and
with this presence of realities, the examination
was simple brief, and thorough "Simon"-not
Peter, this time; it was not to be assumed now
that the renegade disciple was a rock, but he
was addressed with the unusual emphasis of his
surname-"Son of Jonas" The question which
followed was not guage of intellect nor
graphing iron thrown out to catch the corners
of q creed; nor a net spread to shut within mar
row bounds the plans and policy of one who was
to be fisher of men.
Genuine love is always humble; looks up to
its object not across at its rivals; trusts not to
Its own acts for justification, but to the insight
of the beloved. Genuine love freighted Peters
words, which otherwise would have proved as
empty as his rash boast of constancy. The
Lord, therefore, bestowed upon this true lover
the sweetest possible pledge of his confidence,
the care of his flock; giving him commission
to feed those who were part of himself and
there and forever ordaining him to minister in
his stead the things which are help and guide
to salvation.
In this laying of q cornerstone next to the
chief Rock on which the temple was to be built
we find no trace of theological square and COM
pass, no inquisitive hammerlng to find out the
solidity of opinions, no following out of heart
to inlay the must-gathering records of an eccle-
siastical polity, but only juxtaposition of God
and man ftly Joined together by love to Christ.
And in this chrismatory act, bestowed upon
Cephas without restriction after he had solemnly
declared his love before Witnesses we find the
Christ-given pattern for all ordinations. Why
should the modern Church mix with the oil of
consecration so many new perfumes Why
should modern Christian who can say in all
sincerity, "Yea, Lord, thou knowest that love
thee" wait for a fuller commission than, "Feed
my lambs?"