The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-06-08

cast the nets for pilchards." One of the
most painstaking and trustworthy of the
modern explorers of Lake Galilee, ]. Mac
gregor, tells us that in the locality which
is the scene of our story, he saw great
schools of fishes, with fms out of water,
crowding near the edge of the hot stream
which here comes into the lake, finding
thus vegetable and insect breakfast in
degree cooked. If this suggests possible
natural explanation of the reputed "mirac-
u!ous draft of fishes" it does not, let US
observe, detract from the spiritual import
of the central fact of the story. If it is
easier to believe that the Risen Jesus, in
directing his disciples labor, exercised
only customary human sagacity, than it is
to believe that miraculous power was ex-
ercised over the fishes, it is not to be for
gotten that the important thing to discern
is that the one standing on the shore is
the same person who was crucifed and
entombed
The sudden change in their fortune, we
can readily believe, brought sudden in
spiration of spiritual hope. 1t was John
who, through the mists, first recognized
their helpful friend. To Peter he said, in
a tone of confidence which removed all
doubt from that disciples mind, IT is tie
Lord. Peter obeyed his impulse; girding
on his coat over his under-garments, in
reverential regard for him he sought, he
cast himself into the sea. The other dis
ciples, following more deliberately the i'm
petuous Peter, come to the shore in the
little doat,-the small boat, the tender,
used for landing on shelving shores; they
drag the net with them, yet they do not,
before springing on the shore, pause to
take from the net its great store of fishes.
They have but one thought,-to come near
their Lord.
3. A Morning Mea1,-vs. e-I7.
The first thing noted by John, on reach
ing the Lord, is charcoal fire, and fish
thereon, and loaf preparation, in short,
for morning meal. How these things
were obtained, the writer does not tell us;
the fact he makes prominent is that the
meal was provided by the Risen One.
The command is given, by the one whose
presence is strange rapture, Bring of tie
FISH aOjtteA ye haze n07v taken. Peter, in
eagerness to add to the feast, steps on
board the boat, and brings the net to land;
and the fishes, as they are taken out, are
found to be one hundred and fifty-three in
number, and of unusual size; and it is re-
marked that the net, Notwithstanding the
strain upon it, is not rent.
From the abundance the breakfast is
prepared. The disciples in their bodily
senses, are overpowered with the conscious
ness of a Divine Presence; yet spiritually
they are alert and open-eyed; it is as if
the world were flooded with other light
than that of the rising sun. When the
preparation is made the invitation is given,
Come, break jour fast. That it is their
Lord every one knows: all observe how
like the Lord in the flesh are the acts of
the Risen One. He kaketA the loaf,-hs
own, which he had in waiting for them,-
and givetA Them, and the. fish likeayise,--
the fish which he himself had brought.
As he had done many time before,-no
ably at the Great Banquet, and at the Last
Supper,-he himself distributed to them
their food, giving to each his portion.
This wondrous communion, so mysteri-
Gus, yet SO certain, was the third appear
ance of Jesus to his assembled disciples.
The narrative needs to be followed to
the end, and its account of the restoration
of Peter to the apostleship specially noted,
that the full import of this manifestation
of the Risen Lord may be felt. This APP
pearance of the Lord has wrought this
twofold effect: it has turned the impa-
tience and Encouragement of the apostles
to blissful confidence; it has given them
full certainty concerning the continued life
and presence of their Lord. They are be-
coming finally prepared to be fishers of
men.