The Progress., 1896-11-21
"ST JOHN, THE BELOVED
DISCIPLE"

mltted to our High SchOOD and read
at the rally Of the EpwOrtn League
of the Jordan street Methodist Church
on Sunday night November l, 1896.
Sc. John, the brother Of James and
the son of Zebidee, is Que of the most
illnstrlous characters mentioned in
Gods Holy Word.
The character of S.. John, the be-
loyed disciple, was pure, gentle and
lamb-like, ever ready to receive in
structions from his elders, often
found sitting ut the feet Of Jesus,
listening to hear him tell Of the won
derful city Of the New Jerusalem"
with i's gates of pearl and its streets
of gold.
He is the author of the Gospel Of
st. John and the three Epistles, which
bear his lame, and also the book of
Revelations.
1t is natural to suppose tnat John
knew more of the Master than any of
the disciples. being Il constant COM
paniou of the Lord, be was privileged
to hear words Of wisdom and such
instruction, ~ ''ulan never spake."
OF all the disciples, Peter, both
from aye and impnls1veness was the
g acknowledged leader, though John
! was the most beloved aud cherished
. SomeoIe has said that Peter love(
Christ as the Messiah, The first t.
acknowledge his divine character ant
to worship him as the 'Son Of God
e John, on the other hand, was tn
friend of Jesus, clinging to him wit
the most intense affection and r"cos
uizing hln as the incarna' q
"Christ." Whatever we may think q
this distinction, it cannot be denle
lr that to Peter, JaEes aud John wa
Is granted closer intimacy with tn
Of Master than to any other OF th
r Apostles.
's, They we're with Him in the glorlou
ne scene of the TRANSPORTATION; when /
n for.warned them of the destructiC
oy of Jerusal IN, and IN the agony
G. ethsemane, and in the chamber
j.. death. It was John who reclint
"a next to Jesus at the Passover Fea
aud at the Lords Supper" and VIII
Jesus had declared to the twelve,
IL. that sad hour, Verify, verify, l s.
rst unto you, that one of you shall k
eu tray me-" All the disciples began
,Il s,D question Jesus, and ask hi
| 4 tLord is il II" as if in doubt OF tn
fidelity. John alone, of them
in does not question the Master;
union of soul between him and
w. - Savior seemed to be complete.
%h Atthe tine Of the arrest of Jes
ant he was said to be the most self'p
, OF sessed and brave Of them all.
up followed Him to the palace OF
uo- High Priest and obtained permiss
ne. to enter to witness the trial. 1t see
'ver that J.hn was the only one OF
(. disciples who witnessed the gu
trial before the High Priest
PLATE. Johp followed on to
}. in cross, where again ne was the
less one of the twelve who, was pres
ents his companions being those NJ
'o"o women who, more courageous
!. any + the twelve, except Johr'
the "last at the CROSS and the I
oys- lest at the grave"
It was there that jesus, amid
ohio dying groans, committed to MS IL
\ ~ ful follower the sacred trust OF ca
II q for that dear mother, whose b
; al was so rent with sorrow.
our On the morning of the resurrec
the when the first tidings came that
you grave was emptled of its prey, .
and Peter set out for the sepnl'
.oood here for once Johns zeal eurp
/, hey tha. of Peter, outrunning him to
ailor- sepulchre.
His recognition Of the risen
was perfect. His qnick and le
Conn eve detected the Master before
or any of the other seven who
present.
ers OF Bnt in rapidly glancing owe
two evidences ri the intense Iowa OF
sitting do not let us think that he '
James man OF soft, impressible nj