St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1881-08-12
"These Are the Names"

EAOuuS Is Ilt SlOlN Oh tne ltdulnB
out. And how striking it is that ''the
Shepherd of Israeli he ''that leadeth
Joseph like a flock should first call
his sheep by their names, rs he puts
himself at their head for their long
captivity. "The muster-roll of the
Hebrew army" do YOU say "The
passenger list of an Eastern caravan,
whose only value is that it enables the
leader to know who is missing or who
is present ?" No. Each name is II
sort of condensed biography into which
the personal traits and the personal
destiny are gathered up. The name is
the miniature of the man, the epitOmc
of the tribe; and at its mention what
weaknesses calling for pity and com
passion are brought to mind What
promises aud covenants demanding full
tillment are recalled to memory
Hence we shall find this list of names
not in the hands of some scribe or
roll-keeper of the army, but on the
breast of the high-prieSt, that in his
intercessiOns the wants and weakness
ess and claims of each member of the
flock may he brought to mind. "And
Aaron shall bear the names of the chill
dren of Israel in the breastplate of
Judgment upon his heart when he go
eth in unto the holy place, for memo
rial before the Lord continually (EX-
cd. Is: 27). This muster-roll of Isra-
el, therefore, is not made out for the
captain of the host merely that he may
keep track of his soldiers, but for the
Lord himself, that he may he mindful
of his people as he reads their names
engraved upon the high-priest's breast
plate.
And none will have their names
stricken off because of their hayward
ness and wanderings. On the contra
~, these will be the oftener mention
ed, as the straying sheep hears its
name called more frequently than the
one which keeps close to the flock.
Did you ever think to listen and hear
Jesus, the good shepherd, call his own
sheep by their names? "SimOn ST.
mon behold Satan hath desired To
have YOU that he may sift You as wheat,
but hare prayed for thee" Martha,
Martha! Thou art careful and troub-
led about many things, but one thing is
needful." "Saul, Saul! Why perse-
cutcst thou me ~ What do we hear in
all this but Jesus speaking, now as the
great high priest, making mention OF
the name of one of the twelve which
he bears on his heart, noting the peril
to which he is exposed and presenting
him in memorial before the Lord now
as the good shepherd calling back a
lamb that is wandering in distracting
care for many things and forgetting the
one thing and now as the shepherd of
Israel calling after ''lost sheep of the
house of Israel" that he may restore
him to himself? The tribes might
wander away, some of them to 90 into
captivity, as they afterwards did, and
some of them might be lost as the ten
have long been; but so long as there
was tabernacle and high-priest
their names were constantly before the
eye of God. Perpetually would he be
reminded of his oath and covenant as
he read those signatures on the glitter
ing breastplate. And since all these
things were for examples to us, what
precious lessons may we draw from
them Notwithstanding in this re-
jOice mott SAYS Jesus, chat the spirits
are subject unto YOU; bit rather rejOic,
because your names are Critten in HedU-
en-" You may have little standing il
this world, men may separate you
from their company and reprOach you
and cast out yOnr name as evil for the
Son of mans sake" but what glory i,
yours! On Christ's heart your name is
written. lie repeats with approva
and affection what men despiSe. ii,
remembers your name when men for
get it, speaks it in interceSSion wheI
others mention it in reproach.-[S. 5
Times