The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-04-15
SUNDAY MEDITATION.

the Bible. 1t is the account of the interview
between our Savior and Nicodemus, which took
place in Jerusalem in the year 20 A. d., at about
the time of the passover that year-viz., in
March. Nicodemus was a Pharisee master or
teacher among the Jews, member of the San
hedrim, and so ruler in Israel. He is reported
to have been wealthy. He was the only one of
the rulers of the Jews to seek Jesus, and he
came by night. we. Compare 10: 49, He
may have had something of that false shame
about being religious which some men discover
even vet. Then, the Jews hating Christ, Nico-
demus may have appTehended lack OF popu-
larity, if it became known he went to Jesus.
Then he may have wanted to investigate more
carefully before he acted publicly, lest he might
be caught in a deluSion or imposture and SO
suffer ridicule for his folly and freshness. But
we would think from the account he felt con-
fdcnce in Christ's claims. He was convinced
by the miracles which Jesus effected. Before
the interview Christ had changed water into
wine at Cana. q: LILY By sort of miracle
power lie cleared the temple of cattle dealers
and brokers, using mere whip of small cords.
! (2:14) He had laid claims to powers thought
utterly cXtravagant and superhuman, IN that,
as the people understood him, he declared he
could rebuild within three days the temple
which had required for its erection many men
for 46 years. Had they fully comprchended
his real meaning, to wit, that if they killed
him, he would be alive again within ~
hours, they would have held him to be utterly
! wild. q: Is %. J. But Verse D. Chapter :,
! speaks OF " the miracles which he did" lie
must have effected many such of which no &C
count has come down to US. (21 :25) Christ
| went right to the point" Se must be born
| again ye"-every one of the human race
must be not ought to be or may be-but
"must be born again." 1t was tritling for Nico-
! demus to intimate the iinposSibility of re-
peated physical birth. Jesus explains how TO
| be born again. 1t consists Of baptism and its
accompanying spiritual renovation. Baptism
is an outward aud visible sign of an inward
and spiritual grace. The spiritual grace is "a
death unto sin, and new birth into righteous
ness" The worldly side of the Kingdom of
God is the visible, militant Church. One can
not enter this save by water baptism. The
Heavenly side of Gods Kingdom is the
Saints Home after death. One to gain access
there must have the spiritual grace of which
the font is the sign. The Holy Spirit must
operate on our hearts or religious functions
and clear them of sin, making US so unlike the
evil that shall indeed be new creatures.
Human birth cannot impart spiritual rcgenera-
| ton. 1t would seem all this would be quite
clear to a professional religious teacher as was
Nicodcmus. 1t appears, however, he was so
! myst'icd that Christ babe him Marvel not"
and proceeded to illustrate the work of grace
by 4 very simple natural fact in the material
world Perhaps the wind was blowing at the
time Then, the wind is simile for the breath
of man, and often for the Spirit of God. A
person conversant with Ps. 81, Eze, II 10, 20
and IS &c ought not to be so wanting in COM
pretending Christ's meaning. We arc moro
interested in having the wind than in under
standing it. Never mind whence it comes nor
whittier it goes, if we but have it. So of saliva
tion Many of the greatest forces in nature, in
society. in the Nation and the Church are in
visible. Influences, inexplicable to origin
and direction. are operating everywhere. We
nrliy trnn ham N
allow the precedence of some powers at work
unknown as to source or drift. Even science
acts on faith. Mystery is the secret of study.
Effort TO understand is the basis of every edu-
cational institution. Not only are holy inilu
ences in their operation on the mind often
beyond the range of exploitation, but evil
powers also work by laws not fully compre-
hended. mans life not only shows the wind
is in motion. but in which way it blows whether
from the direction of purity or from quarter
of iniguty.
The teachings of Christ relate also to super
natural things-to affairs of another life and
world. He feels the embarrassment of con-
versing with Nicodcmus about such higher
things. The ruler of Israel was so dull in ap-
pretending matters of earth that Christ saw
difficulty in causing him to understand heavenly
concerns. If Nicodemus could not see the
philosophy of the new birth, which takes place
on earth, which could be effected in his own
lives of the devout, how could he SEQ into the
mysteries of Christ's eternal fore existence, his
miraculous birth, his supernatural power, the
effectiveness of the Cruciixion, the love Of God,
as displayed In sacrificing his own Son by his
being lifted on the cross? God is pure-man
is sinful. Heaven is holy. Saints in Paradise
are righteous. If we reach Heaven, great
religious work must be effected in u.s. We can
not carry sin with us. Ye must be born again.
Nicodemus asks, "HOw can these things
be?" Was he in doubt as to their truth, or
did he want further instruction? Christs an
swer is at least mildly rebukative Did Nco-
demus mean, The wind has some cause back
of it, and effects are due not to the wind itself
SO much as to that power which sets the wind
in action? How can | secure the wind of the
Holy Spirit to blow on me2" He seems an
honest inquirer, although he had been de-
fective teacher. True, Christ declares ". III
"ye receive not our witness" "Ye'' is plural
and our Saviour probably meant the Jews as a
whole did not accept his teachings. Jesus then
proceeds to declare some heavenly facts. He
came from Heaven. He was earth. But He
was at the same time in Heaven. He is as
Deity omnipresent: as much in Heaven as
elsewhere, capable of being at the same moment
both earth and in Heaven. He was on
earth in a human body, but spiritually He was
spontaneously in Heaven. No man had ever
been to Heaven. Enoch and Elijah were in
Paradise. Further, our Saviour taught Nico-
dcmuS of the crucfYion. He intimated his
death in 2: 10. He now declares its form
He was to die on cross. We are all affected
with sin. Death is certain unless some remedy
be discovered. Just as Moses elevated the
brazen serpent in the wilderness (Nu., 2l:4-9)
SO Jesus was to be raised high up on cross.
As victims who looked at the brazen serpent
with faith were cured, SO we can be saved from
sin by believing Christ and acting accordingly.
The practical lessons are Numerous
| rth nrEn + 70
has the following:
During of his illnesses he was visited by two
highly respected clergymen, of whom in
replied, Il was born at Preston, in England, in
1873 and born again at Dabn in ireland, in 1877"
The visitor expressed at once his surprise and curl
osity at what to him strange a declaration.
MIR. Summerfeld replied in the language of Jesus
To Eieodenus: art thou a master in Israel and
knowest not these things?" and then related the
history of his conversion. The reverend gentle
man. after departing inquired of his companion if
he knew thing about this strange doctrine and
finding that he too the subject OF the snne
happy change, sought aud obtained the like bess-
ing.
2. Be truthful. Understand things thor
oughly, so as to be authoritative in your state
mentS.
3. Testify for Christ and in favor of his re-
ligion.
4. Accept good evidence.
5. Illustrate truth. Through nature lead per-
sons up to grace.
6. Teachers in special should understand
what they claim to teach-shOuld experience
what they recommend-shoud do what they
require of of hers