The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-05-30

many Bible student when he laments the so
brief report of that conversation, saying. An
gels must have come down to listen and Nature
herself grown attentive 10 the accent OF her
Creator and her God" Our eyes are holden for
the present. We may hope sometime to learn
all these particulars, the ignorance as to which
now keeps our souls in dsquiet-
1t was not the fault of the two that they did
not recognize Jesus, and. hence. our Savior did
not censure them for that, but, on the other
hand. for their ignorance and lack OF compre-
hension Of the Holy Scriptures.
Carrying out his plan of being in cog, he be-
gins the conversation in q way least likely to
cause the two to suspect. Apparently he knew
nothing of tho real burning questions of the
day. This seemed the more strange to the two
from the fact they were so intensely interested.
We wonder many times in our graver thoughts
that the world does not come to halt and join
company in anxiety. We do not under
stand that Christs purpose was to deceive.
Prof. A. G. Kendrick says: "Christ conceals
his knowledge in order to draw them out"
This is compatible with tho most perfect SIM
plicity and integrity of character We have
similar thought in Verse %: "Ho made as
though he would 20 further" Christ. as ON
nscient, understood very well on what subjects
the two had been talking before he overlook
them. But God must adapt himself to human
weakness The teacher for the moment feigns
ignorance on purpose to stimulate thought and
inquiry Then it was necessary to Introduce
conversation, aud Chrst's method was very
natural and apt
fought not Christ to have suffered these
tbings?" Was it not congruous? Would the
prophecies of the Old Testament have been
fulfilled had not Christ met such experiences
We're not the very facts, which seemed so dis
couraging to the two, the credentials of Jesus?
We notice the relation between Concerning
Jesus of Nazareth" tV. 19) and concerning
Himself" (V ~ The things" of v. Is
are the facts in relation 10 Jesus. Christ knew
these were the matters of greatest interest to
the two and therefore made them tho subjects
which he expounded We notice tho Scrip
lures bear witness to Jesus. 1t was concern
ing himself" that he spoke, and, in thus ex-
planning his own personality and work. he did
what no other being could do consistently-he
found his data in the books of Moses and the
prophets.
III. CHRIST AND THE Two DISCIPLES AT
EMMAUs.
/. Data.
st. Luke "a: 1882. That is our sole report.
How the author knew the facts we cannot tell.
See, however, 2 Pet, 81. SITS. Matthew and
John were present, but neither ever allude to
the subject. 1t is supposed ST. Marks Gospel
was practically st. Peters. There is, however,
but general notice in that Gospel of the En-
maus episode, to w.t. 16: IL. st. Luke wrote
at Achaia, Greece, A. ID. 81.
g Time.
See under samc head in lesson Just before.
We simply move on for. say, ono hour-call it
o'clock, p. M. 1t was toward evening. V. 90
The day was far spent We cannot tell how
long Christ remained with the two. The invi-
tation "Abide with US" probably was intended
to cover the night and hence included lodging
We cannot tell how long he reclined with the
two We would suppose, as We read the account
that the identity of Jesus, was soon established
We often recognize a friend by some peculiar
motion, gait, habit, without even seeing his
face The blessing referred to in verse 80 was
asked as rule at the beginning of the meal.
We cannot tell whether Christ ate.
8. Suggestions.
1. Avoid the practice of deception. It is
everything as a moral quality to be sincere.
One is not, however, obliged prematureiy to
reveal certain plans. There is time for every
thing. Prov, IL: ID. mere hypothesis for
ddactc purpose; all effort to attract attention
of u pupil by an absurd superstition; imitation,
not to deceive for purposes of traffic and self
interest financially, butt make attractive; the
setting Of traps for catching rascals; disguises
so rs to escape wayiayers-these are not to be
classed with dcceits. but rather with devices
not to be ranked with articles, but rather with
expedients And yet we do well to heed the
following wise words of the late Rev. +. W.
Robinson:
Integrity recois from receptions which
men would almost smile to hear called decep-
ton. To moral, pure mind the articles in
every department. of life are painful; the
stained wood which passes for a more firm
and costly material in a building. and deceives
the eye, by seeming what it is not, marble;
the painting which is intended to be taken as
a reality; the gliding which is meant to pass
for gold, aud the glass which is worn to look
like jewels, for there is a moral feeling and
truthfulness in architecture, in painting, and
in dress, as well as i'm the market place. and
in the Senate, and in the judgment hail."
1t is we'll to notice that whatever an article
is. if it pass for only what it is, there is no
wrong. chrome is not lie, though it may
be brighter and more beautiful than the origi.
nal painting. The evil consists in passing off
the chrome for genuine painting
2. Cultivate hospitality. L Pet, a: 8; st.
Mt. 10: al, AZ.
3. Ask a blessing at meals. We recall the
example of our Savior.
4. The Holy Communion is supper with
Christ. At IL our eyes are opened more clearly,
enabling us to have finer conceptions of Christ
ian duties and possibilities. We are able to
comprehend our Savior more fully. Memo
ries of communions with Christ may be sweet
and profitable, reminding love in our hearts
for our Redeemer Jesus discloses himself to
us with greater distinctness when we sup with
him. Indeed, he becomes known to us in the
breaking of bread.
5. Welcome Jesus spiritually. Ask him to
abide with you. He cannot be present now
bodily, but we may rely on his presence. St.
Matt, %: 20. We should in special seek the
aid and guidance of the Holy Spirit. st. John,
a..