Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-01-31


To open the morn's first hours.
See the incense rise
To the starry skies
Like perfume from the flowers.
Take the golden key
In your hand and see,
AS the night tide drifts away.
That its blessed hold
Is a crown of gold,
Through the weary hours of day."
This lesson follows very properly on
that Of Peters confession. 1t is in fact
the divine confession. Peter had said:
'"Thou art the Christ, the Son of the liv-
ing God" Now it is Gods own voice that
! declares: "This is my beloved Son; hear
/ ye him." Did Peter need any further evil
dence that the voice that had spoken
! through him was of God? Christ had
also been speaking to his disciples about
being ashamed of him, and had referred
to the fact of his coming some time in the
glory Of his Father and of the holy angels.
Here they are given a glimpse Of that
glory. How can they ever be ashamed OF
him now? And yet Peter, who denied
him, was one Of the three.
1t was in the midst of prayer that the
TRANSPORTATION came. 1t is in prayer that
the best voices and visions reach us. The
highest Civilizations of soul, the largest in
crements of power lave been granted in
the atmosphere of prayer. Christian ex-
perience is largely the record of our sea-
sons of devotion. He who wishes to know
the up-lift Of the TRANSPORTATION mount
must climb the slopes of prayer. There is
no such transformer as prayer. 1t was as
Christ knelt in supplication that the
angels filled the air about him, and here,
las he prayed, the fashion of his counter
ance was altered and his rainment was
white and gistening." There is no face
so beautiful to angels as the face of that
one of whom God says, Behold he
prayeth.' and to put on beautiful gar
ments in the sight of either the holy men
of heaven or of earth, bow in supplica-
ton.
1.-Two men" appeared. They were in
fashion as men. They had about them
the distinguishing signs that separate us
one from the other. Be glad, my soul, we
shall know each other there. 1t was 'in
glory" and yet they spake of grace.
Calvary was the theme of their discourse.
They "spake of the decease which he
should accomplish at Jerusalem" Now
we know the theme of the celestial con-
verse. We know what is the subject of
highest concern among the angels and
amongst the just men. made perfect.
Peter and his companions did not see the
glory until "they were awake" And yet
it was doubtless there long before. Alas,
that our own eyes should oft be so holden,
and our spirits SO heavy! The vision
passes as we sleep.
"Threc tabernacles" Peter asked for.
He is speaking like one just walked out Of
slumber, not knowing what he said. And,
10, God gives a better symbol. Even
while he thus spake there came cloud
and overshadowed them" One taber-
nacle instead of three. Only hear the
voice ''out of the cloud" A message and
a mission. voice and vision. When
the cloud passed there in the midst Jesus
and Jesus only. He abideth still. Look
and listen.
Hints and Illustrations.
Make it lesson Of Christian expert
cnce. Call out the times of Divine re-
freshipg Peter did not shrink. in after
years, from referring to this blessed pas
sage in life. Be as free as was he. 1t
may put some one else in remembrance.
1t may lead some one else up into trans.
! figuration mount Would that this lesson
itself might be hilltop experience to
many a needy soul at this time:
Praise the mount, I'm fixed upon it,
Mount of Gods unchanging love-"
Peter never forgot that vision on the
mountain. 1t gave celestial coloring to
all his thoughts. He was always talking
about heaven as near. 1t is he indeed
that has given us faiths bridge, namely,
Receiving the end of your faith, even
the salvation of your souls" The mother
was complaining about her lads going off
to sea. They had no mariner ancestry.
And yet, one by one, they sought the sea-
The pastor came to console. His eye was
caught by picture over the fireplace. 1t
was the representation Of full-rigged
ship, CALAMITY sailing off to the high seas.
How long has that picture hung thereY
he asked. I'VE hung it there when we
were married." the mother answered. II
understand now" said the pastor, "why
the boys take to the ocean. That picture
has educated them to it." What is the
picture on memory's wall, what scenes are
most easily recalled? Those are the pic
lures and scenes that impress and move.
This meeting on the hilltop was very
small one; and yet it was very large. Con-
gregations may be measured qualitatively
as well us qnantitatively. Peter and
James and John and Moses, and Elias,
and Christ and God and the Holy Spirit,
and an innumerable company of minister
ing spirits. Here was n congregation full
of inspiration and power. Do you recall
the little meeting where but one or two
were present? Yes. other gatherings of
larger sort have passed from memory;
that sweet service holds its place. God
was there. 1t was at the foot of the hill
that the test came. Have you been ON
the mount with your Lord? Prove it by
going about Mt the hills base doing good,
putting forth life-giving energy. Your
best credential. the ability to lead from
death to life. Moses is not dead; nor 10
Christ. Beware.
Next Lesson-"Christ and the Chill
dren." Matt. IS: ia.