Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-03-20

strengthened by Christ, will in turn strengthen hil
brethren who again will strengthen the body of The
disciples. need not add, that in order to strength
en- his brethren, Peter must be their superior, hav
lug power to adopt measures, frame laws as he may
deem necessary for the safety Of those trusted to
his charge.
PETER THE SHEPHERD OF THE FLOCK.
Before Christ's desth promises of future powers
were made to the apostles. After his resurrection
these powers were actually conferred upon them.
We are to expect words investing Peter with the
special prerogatives that the master had promised
to him. We find these words in John XXI Dignity
involves duty special prerogativss granted to Peter
demand from Peter special allegiance to Christ.
The promise Of supremacy followed a confession of
faith; speci1 proof of his love is exacted of him
before his lnvestiture. Upon triple protestation
is made to him by Christ "Feed my
lambs. Feed my lar bs, Feed my sheep" More than
once Christs church is called his fold and he him.
self is named the shepherd Of his faithful follow
ers 81 am the good shepherd The good sheph-
erd giveth his life for his sheep Other sheep have
that are not Of this fold; them also must bring.
and there shall be made one fold and one shepherd"
Now the entire fold, Glands and Sheep" are en-
trusted to Peter. He is to care for them, to feed
them to lead them to sound pastures, to ward off the
wolf He is under Christ the shepherd. The sheph-
erd Is the leader, the master of the flock. He is
sovereign over lambs and sheep. In the second
charge, the Greek word is "Poimaine,' instead Of
the word "Bosse" occurring in the others. "boske"
renders stend, means literally shepherdze, but, by
analogy, in the old languages, Hebrew and Greek, it
indicated rega' power. Elsewhere 10 scriptures our
trsnslators render it rule, as "He shall rule his
people, the original We being "Poimaino." In
Homer, kings are called the shepherds of their peo
pie and their supreme authority is express ed by this
same word poimsino." They are said to rule over
their subjects, as shepherds over their focks.
CONCLUSIONS.
We are seeking the form Of supreme government
assigned to his church by Christ, the principle
of unity engrafted by him upon the
apostolate. We said, in beginning the search, that
so far as possibilities would go, this principle or
bond of unity might be one of several forms Of gov
ernment but that whatever the precise form adopt
ed by Christ, marks of it, we had reason to expect
we would find in the record of his words aud acts.
We open this record, and find one apostle in vari
GUS ways distinguished from his brethren. new
name is assigned to him; the church is built upon
him; he is to be her support; the keys of the king
dom are bestowed upon him; he is appointed to
strengthen the other apostles against the assaults of
Satan; he is because of this charge the object Of
Christ's special prayer; he is entrusted with the
whole flock, which he Is to feed and to govern
Have we not here what we are seeking? The SUI
preme government of the church, the prince of the
kingdom. the ruler of the city, the pastor of the
flock? We have hers one through whom corporate
action Of the apostolate is possible, who Will correct
those going astrsy, forfy the weak, lead in battle,
indicate the enemy and, although his followers and
fellow soldiers will in their noble ambition to con-