The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-06-08
LESSON STORY.
Christ on tho Shore

1. Christ on the Shore,-vs. a.
In the early morning, as the first rays of
the sun brindled the east, fishing vessel
was idly lying on the water about three
hundred feet from the shore at the north
western side of Lake Galilee. 1t was
rudely-constructed vessel, like the vessels
commonly used by the fishermen of Cali
lee nineteen hundred years ago. 1t was
capable of carrying perhaps fifteen per-
sons; it was commonly propelled by oars,
yet had a sail to spread for an occasional
breeze; it had small cabin at the stern;
and attached to the vessel was net or
seine, and also small row-boat or dory.
In the fishing vessel, -thus described as
a representative of its class,-were seven
disciples of the Nazarene. First of all,
we see Peter, foremost man wherever he
is seen, but now under a cloud for cow
ardly denial of his Lord; we see Thomas,
the Twin, who doubted that his Lord was
raised from the dead, but is now beyond
doubt convinced; we see Nathaniel also,
whose Galilean home is in Cana; two I'M
named disciples also are there,-and last,
but not least, are the sons of Zebedee,
James and John,-James the practical,
John the beloved, the poet, the disciple
most capable of spiritual fellowship with
Jesus.
These disciples are in a state of suspense
and impotence. Their desire of compan-
ionship with their Master is a consuming
passion; but he knows it best for them
now to learn self-dependence,-to think of
him no more as visible companion, but
as Present Spirit, who can break through
the veil of mortality only to convince them
of his abiding unseen presence.
When they had begun to recover from
their first transport of faith, and were,
while awaiting the appointed interview in
Galilee, seeking some definite guidance
out of their bewilderment, Peter proposed
for himself a remedy for his impatience:
/g0 aJfshing. He had been called to the
apostleship from fishing; now, when there
had come pause in the divine leading, it
was natural that he should return to the
old pursuit. And the other disciples &C
knowledged his leadership; they said, NE
also come zOiM thee. So they had come
forth, as the record tells us,-the phrase
meaning here, as elsewhere, their going
forth to the fulflment of a matured pur-
pose. They had come to Lake Galilee,-
John leaving his customary home in Jeru-
salem, to which he had carried Mary the
mother of Jesus, from the awful scene on
Calvary,-and here, in their old haunts,
their old profession had for them irresisti-
BILE attractions. In the words, they entered
into THE 6oat, is suggestion that they
employed for their fishing excursion the
precise boat which had been formerly de-
voted to their Lords use MARK $50.
They had gone out on the lake at night
fall, as the best time for fishing, and all
night they had toiled at their nets in vain.
Their fortune at their old business seemed
not unlike their present spiritual fortune;
In both respects they were needing en-
enlargement. There had been no break
in the dispiriting monotony of the long
night. AS their vessel idly drifted near
the shore, where the hot springs send their
waters into the lake, the disciples were
weary, listless, dispirited. But, on the
beach, within easy speaking distance, stood
an interested observer. He was then to
them as one of the indistinguishable mil
lions of fellow human beings. There was
nothing as yet to suggest to them that it
was the Christ. YET HE KNEW THEM.
2. An Astonishing Draught of
Fishes,-vs. S-8.
Word comes to them from their unrec-
ognized observer, Children, haze ys GKeht
to eat? The address is friendly; they
scarcely understand more; the question is,
not whether they have caught fish, but
whether they have fish, such as they might
have taken with them, prepared for eating.
Their reply is the briefest negative, No.
1t expresses their prevailing disappoint-
ment. Then they hear the kindly direc-
ton, Cast the net on the right side of tie
6Oat, and .ys shall find They without
question follow the word given. 1t is Pc
ter's work, clothed only in his under-gar-
ments, to swim with net around section
of water. 1t was soon found that the net
had enclosed such a multitude of fishes
that they were not able to draw it into the
boat
This sudden turn in their fortune came
to them as good omen. 1t is not neces-
sary for us to infer that any supernatural
influence was exercised over the fishes.
SIN Cornwall" we are told by Stock, "men
are stationed on the cliffs to watch the
sea, and give signals to the boats where to