The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-10-17
Tho Lon eiincss Of jesus.

Though in the world, Jesus was not of the
world He was born unlike other children,
and all lis life he was 'holy, harmless, un-
defled, and separate from sinners. But q
single incident of his boyhood is recorded,
and that shows he must have been quite in
advance Of all the boys of his age, and quite
unlike them in his tastes. He may have as
sociated with them, and have joined with
them in their innocent diversions; but we
think that it could not have been very
heartily, for even then he had meat to eat
that they knew not of. He had joys as we'll
as sorrows to which they were strangers.
As he grew up to manhood, and as he en-
tered on the great work for which he came
into the world-"to seek and to save that
which was lost"-he must have become less
and less of the world. He became more
the flesh. They could not comprehend him,
nor sympathize with him in his great
undertaking, nor did they believ 9
on him. His chosen disciples were
not without their imperfections. Tncy were
ignorant, ambitious and uubelieving. Nor
was there perfection in that hoSpitable home
at Bethany, which was SO often his chosen
retreat. And by his fellowmen generally he
was "despised and rejected" They had no
love for him, and no sympathy. his real
friends were few and of humble condition
his enemies were many and bitter. He
was scorned and coldly treated by tho
proud Pharisees. When invited to partake
of their hospitality it was with evil de-
signs. They were ever on the watch to
find something against him. His most be.
nevolent deeds were misinterpreted. All
manner Of false accusations were brought
against him. 1t was said of him that, III
a bad sense, he was "a friend Of publicans
and sinners. )" and he was charged with
casting out devils by Beelzebub, the prince
of devils.
In such world, with such surroundings,
the Saviour must have led lonely life.
None could say as he could, II am stranger
in the Garth" 1.-The world knew him not. "
here he was out of his element; he was not
at homo We wonder not that he should 50
often retire from the world to the solitary
mountains to Loli comlnuniun with his
Father. He was alone, and yet not alone,
because the Father was with him. Precious
must have been those seasons Of intercourse
with Him, when, withdrawn from all con-
verse with men, he could pour out his soul
in unrestrained freedom in close nearncss
to Him.
Doubtless the Saviour was here often
homes:ck for heaven. Doubtless he often
anticipated the time when. the woIk for
which he came oil accomplished, be co lid
return to the bosom of the Father IRON,
whom he came. Happy, unspeakably happy
the moment wh'n at length be could tri-
umphantly exclaim: ''It is fiuished!" I'm
. speakably happy the hour when, having
given his last great commission and his part
ing benediction to his disciples, he could re-
ascend to his native heaven. Escorted by
legions Of rejoicing angels, he enters the
everlasting doors lifted up to give him adj
mttance, and, welcomed by the Father and
all the heavenly hosts, the burden of lone
illness forever rolled away from his soul,
once more at home in the many mansions,
be is unspeakably blessed.--[H. S. in N. Y.
Observer.