The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1885-03-12

Jacob has now at last, after many years,
come back to the land of his brother Esau,
and as he sees his powerful brother COM
ing, afar off, with his four hundred fol-
lowers, he is moved by a feeling of min
gled joy and fear. He loves Esau-he
knows that; but what is troubling him
just now is, does Esau love him? Jacob
has had peculiar experience back there
at the Ford, Jabbock. After he had pass
ed over to the other side his wives, his
eleven sons, and other earthly possessions,
he, being left alone, found himself, in the
night time, wrestling with a man who
continued to wrestle with him until near
daybreak. Jacob clung to this one and
demanded blessing, and finally prevail
ed, but he touched Jacob on the thigh, and
the sinew shrank, and made Jacob halt.
And Jacob then declared that he had seen
God, face to face.
Thus Jacob comes back to Esau, a lit
tie lamer, but good deal better, than he
went away. Lame in body, halting in
movement but spiritually strong least
strong enough to highly enjoy the caresses
of his brother, from whom he half expect
ed an exhibition of wrath. A physical
disability often makes the character of
the victim more ChristiSnrlike. In fact,
it has been argued that death is necessary
sometimes as means of salvation.
We knew man some years ago who
had been living very wicked life. He
had kept dramshop, played cards, and
| did nthlr fhipnc a1lln n
the letter and spirit of the Divine law.
He was weak, and there seemed no sal
vation for him. But at last he was arous-
ed; the Spirit moved upon his heart; his
eyes were opened to a sense of his danger,
as well as sense of his privilege and op-
portunity. He sought pardon for his
many misdeeds, and seemed to believe
that he had at last found favor at the
Throne of Grace. Oh, how happy he was!
Light at last, after all the darknessl After
all the wanderings among the jungle of
sin, clear journey at last ON the broad
plain of Christian hope! Like many new
converts he could not contain the good
news. He must tell it. Like a we'll
spring, sending up the waters into the
light, his Spiritual joy aOoatld bubble forth,
in spite of all attempts to repress it.
While relating his joy to friend one
day, he was wonderfully enthusiastic in
portraying his hopes for the future, and
rejoiced to think that he had that friend
almost ready to forsake his sinful ways
and come along with him. But his expec-
tations were suddenly scattered by the
friend looking at him carelessly and in
quiring:
"Have you got religion?"
"Y Yes, sir! feel the Spirit of the Mas
ter, bearing witness with my Spirit that 1
am his child
"Well,' said his friend, "all I've got to
say is that the best and most merciful
thing that could be done with you would
be to kill you, right now. You're nearer
Heaven now than you'll ever be again!'
This wicked man was probably wrong
in arguing that death was the only hope
of salvation for the new convert, but who
can say that he was absolutely wrong
There is tendency in the human heart
and mind to become careless of duty, for
getful of obligation, ungrateful, in the
round of everyday life, and even the most
Jealous convert, removed from the sacred
influences of the sanctuary, may become
temporarily forgetful of duty. Therefore
it is that little lameness at times may
serve as gentle reminder to the victim
that there is another power, outside OF
and beyond himself, that has some claims
upon his consideration. Many a man
who "wrestles with God," is touched in q
manner which renders him halt. 1t may
not cause positive limp in his walk be
fore the world, but it will affect that walk