The free press., 1892-11-17
CHRIST ALONE UNDERSTANDS US THOR
OUGuIY.

CHRIST ALONE UNDERSTANDS US THOR
oUGHLY.
Our consciousness of our need of SYM
pathy is no more widespread or positive
than our consciousness that often our human
friends fail to sympathize with us intelli-
gently. They do not lack kindly interest,
but their sympathy does not go deep enough.
They simply do not understand us through
and through. Blessed are we when we have
learned that our Lord Jesus Christ does
thus comprehend our inmost being, and all
its varied wants. When everybody else has
failed us, we still can turn confidently to
Him.
He understands us because He shares our
as the neghbor is who walks down town
with us every morning, and He has declared
that, no matter what changes His death.
resurrection and ascension may have worked
within Him. He still is essentially one in ma
ture with ourselves. All the impulses for
good or evil which rise within US. there
fore, have been known to Him in His own
person, although His knowledge of the evil
never passed from acquaintance with tempta-
tion into acquaintance with actually com.
mitted sin.
He has shared our human experience also.
For whole generation he was member
of an ordinary human household. The ties
of home, the familiar cares and duties grow
ing out of the life of the household and the
neighborhood, the very temptation to which
humanity in any form and at any time is
exposed--all these are known to Him, and
are understood 10y Him. so that He can en-
ter fully into the feelings of each of us-His
disciples.
He comprehends us, Furthermore. by the
aid of His Divine Omnscience. He is not
only truly man, but also truly God. Heun-
Iar.tanho L -.
us. and our circumstances because He Or
daiEed them. His sympathy is not OILY ten
der and unlimited, it is also perfectly in
formed, even as to the secret influences
which often shape our lives SO powerfully,
yet which we rarely detect entirely, and
often overlook altogether.
All this suggests a comforting truth. AL
though our Lord knows all about our moral
failures and our sins, and appreciates their
guilt far more keenly tian We do, He also
knows all about our struggles against temp.
tation, our efforts to rise above discourage
ment, our good purpose renewed in the face
of defeat, and our sorrow and shame because
of our unfaithfulness.
Not one of our faintest aspirations or en-
deavors toward better things escapes the
notice of His constant. helpful love. Is it
not indeed comfort to know that He does
understand US thoroughly ? Congregation.
alst.
The mind wants steadying and setting
right many times a day. 1t resembles q
compass placed on rickety table; the least
stir of the table makes the needle swing
around and point untrue. Let it settle. then.
till it points true. Be perfectly silent for a
few moments, thinking of Jesus there is an
almost Divine force in silence. Drop the
thing that worries, that excites, that inter-
ests, that thwarts you; let it fail like a sedi-
ment to the bottom until the soul Is no
longer turbid and say, secretly, Grant, [
beseech Thee, merciful Lord, to Thy faith
full servaat pardon and peace; that may
be cleansed from oil my sins and serve Thee
with quiet mindI'-lBlshop Huntington,