The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1879-07-04
SUNDAY READING.
Keeping the Eye on .Jc6,s..

IfN UlJVIINHl III
One of the peculiar glories OF Chris
tianity is that il presents to us-wbst
no other religion furnishes "A perfect
model for our daily conduct. No other
religion can produce Lord Jesus
Christ. And Christ is Christianity. IL
is not the Gospel system that saves us.
II is the Gospels Redeemer. Tint
preaching is the most effective which
most clearly and persuasively presents
Jesus as the Divine Saviour, Substitute
and Surety; that life is the most syni-
metrical and holy which is the mos,
closely copied after him as the divine
model. N.trI"
There is not more beautiful episode
in the life of our Lord than that one
which occurred at the beginning of the
last supper with his disciples. Jesus.
| knowing that the Father had given ali
things into his hands, that he was come
from God and was going to Cod" rose
from the table and laid of his upper
garment. Girding himself with a tow
el, he takes a copper basin, and does
what none but slave was accustomed
to do-he washes his disciples feet
Having performed this wonderful act
of humility and unselfshness, he saws
10 them: 81 have given you an example
that ye should do as Ihayc done to yon.u -
Not that we are literally to wash each
others feet; but we are to fill each 9th
er's hands, bear each others loads, drv
each others tears, and comfort each
others hearts.
Again, the enthusiasts Peter, in his
first epistle,' tells us that "Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example
that yesilould follow his steps" The
Greek word signifies q writing-copv.
such as is set for children in a school
and to be closely initiated in every
stroke of the pen. Paul has the same
Idea in his mind when he bids rs TO
look at Jesus, the author and perfecter
of our faith" And, If were asked TO
give simple golden counsel TO ayoupp
convert, which. could be easily remem.
bered and which would be available for
every emergency in life, it would be
this: "keep your eye on Jesus"
The godly Charles Simeon, of Cam
bridge, kept a portrait of the heroic
missionary, Henry Martyr, hanging OH
the wall of his room. Looking up to- e
ward it, he would often say: "Tberel
see that blessed man! What an ex-
preston of conntenancel No one looks
at me as he does. lie Seems always to
be saying to me- BE serious; be in
earnest; don't trifle.'" Then, bowipo
toward the benign, thoughtful face Of
Martyr, Simeon would add: "No, |
won't, won't trifle."
Ii there was an inspiration TO car
nestness always to be caught from look
ing at noble and Christ-like man, how
much more from looking at Christ him
self. The Divine Spirit has presented
in the New Testament matchless pic
lure, and has hung it up, as it were.
before our eyes. 1t is the Infinitely
beautiful countenance of my Lord and
Master 1t is "marred more than apy
other OF the sons of men" by the strug-
gle III Gethsemane and the agony on the
cross. The most serene patience sits
on that countenance, as when he an
swered not word to PLATE, and as
when he prayed "Father, forgive them.
They know not what they do" Every
ineament of that face is love. Holiness
spreads an ineffable grandeur over il.
which no Rafael or Da Vinci can re-
produce. Even at this moment large
painting of the majestic face of my Saw
our hangs before Inc on my study wall.
But that is mere pigment. Ten thou
more real, more Inspiring,
more soul-rousing is the image to my
eye of him who ever says; "Look at
me- learn of me-"
Yes, and how earnestly he says TO all
IF us: Live for me! That face meets
Ill of MS who profess to be his follow
,rs, in all the multiplied places, scenes,
md emergencies of our brief lives.
we recoil from a disagree
ible duty or painful load. How
promptly those lips of our Lord seem
% be speaking to us: Whosoever will
not take up his cross and follow after
ne is not worthy of me. AT another
ime we are cast down with disappoint-
nent; perhaps a chill of despair is set
ling over our hearts. Just then the
lear Divine Face draws very close to
Is, and we hear the warm words: Let
lot your heart be troubled neither let
t be afraid. LO! | am with YOU al
ways. My grace is sufficient for you"
When we are tempted TO a resentful
word or dishonest deed, the counten-
lnce rebukes us with the admonition:
Wound me not in the house of my
riends." As Peters tears were started
'y single look of his grieved Master,
10 ours may well be stirred by every
Ict of disloyalty to him. And when we
lave come back, ashamed and disgrace
I'd, from a cowardly desertion of the
light in an hour of sharp trial, oh how
hat face upbraids lis, as Jesus seems to
ay: "Could ye not watch with me
me hour" Evermore is that Divine
Monitor and Model before our eyes,
rebuking, inspiring, encour-
Iging, comforting and guiding us. Let
ne fasten my gaze on himi Let me
,pen my ears TO him! Let me be ever
linging to his garments and treading
II his footsteps, that wherever he is /
nay be alsol
Certain choice spirits of the human
ace have shone IN some peculiar virtue,
IS Joseph in chastity Daniel in integri-
Y, Luther in courage, Wilberforce and
elizabeth Fry in philanthropy. But
hese were only imperfect copies of the
livine ideal of life set before them. Let
is keep our eyes steadfastly upon One
Who embraced in himself all virtues and
in full perfection, and who
II every possible point is an example
or us. Our daily and hourly conflict
S with sin. But Jesus did no sin, nei-
her was guile found in his mouth.
came to him as really as
hey come to us, for he was a man
empted just as we are. His conflicts
N the mountain, in the temple, and in
he garden were no sham encounters or
mere symbolic exhibitions. Jesus con-
Iuered temptation by never presumpt-
lously running into danger; by resist
ng first suggestions 10 evil and by using
hat sword of the spirit which is the
yOrd of God. On the mountain he met
'atan with the weapon of Holy Writ.
Christ is our model too in consecra-
ion to the Fathers will. His meat was