The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-09-02

of "A Lesson from Christ's OuietiDg of the
Storm Mt Sea. The Text is
Na,,L a: 36. And there acere also 1rih him
other lite ships, and htre arose a great storm
of scad Aad the gind ceased and there was
a great calm.
Tiberias, Galilee, Geunesaret, three names
for the same lake. No other gem ever had
so beautiful a setting. 1t lay IN scene OF
great luxuriauce: the surrounding hills
high, terraced, sloped, groved, SO many
hanging gardens of beauty; the waters
rambling down between rocks OF gray and
red limestone, flashing from the hills, and
bounding into the sen.
From the western shore flotilla pushing
out. Christ is in the front of the boat.
His disciples are in q smaller boat.
Jesus, weary with much speaking to large
mutitudes, is put into somnolence by the
rocking of the waves
And they extemporzed pillow made
out of fisherman's coat. l.. think no
sooner is Christ PROSTATE, and his head
touching the pillow, than he is sound
asleep. The breezes of the lake run their
fingers through the locks of the worn
sleeper, and the boat rises and falls Like
sleeping child on the bosom of sleeping
mother.
But the sailors say there is going to be
change of weather. The large boat tremb1es
like deer at bay trembling among the
clangor of the hounds; great patches of foam
are flung into the air; the sails of the yes
sells loosen, and the sharp winds crack like
pistols; the smaller boats like petrels pose
on the cliff of the waves and then plunge.
The drenched Disciples rush into the back
part of the boat. and lay hold of Christ, and
say unto him: Master, carest thou not that
We perish 2"
That great parsonage lifts his head from
the pillow of tie fishermans coat, walks 10
the front of the vessel, and looks out into
the storm. He has one word for the sky,
and another word for the waves. Looking
upward he cries, Peace!" Looking down
ward he says Be sill"
The waves fail fiat OH their faces the foam
melts. the extinguished stars relight their
torches. The tempest falls dead, and Christ
stands with his foot on the neck OF the storm.
And while the sailors are bailing out the
boats, and while they are trying to untangle
the cOrdage, the Disciples stand in amaze
ment, now looking into the calm sea, then
INFO the calm sky, then into the calm of the
Savior's countenance. and they cry out:
What manner of man is this, that even
the winds and The sea obey him?"
The subject in the first place impresses me
with The fact that it is very important to
have Christ in the ship; for all those boats
would have gone to the bottom Of Gennes-
aret if Christ had not been present.
Oh, what lesson for you and for me to
learn! Whatever voyage we undertake, into
whatever enterprise We start, let us always
haye Christ in the ship. Many OF you in these
days OF revived commerce are starting out in
new financial enterprises. i bid you good
cheer. Do all you can do. Do it on as high
plane as possible. You have no right
to be a stoker in the ship if you can be
an Admiral of the Navy. You have no
right TO be a Colonel of a regiment if you
can command brigade. All you c.n do
with utmost tension of body, mind, and
soul, you are bound to do but oh! have
Christ III every enterprise. Christ in every
voyage, Christ III every snip.
There are men who ask God to help them
at the start of great enterprises. He has been
with hem in the past But here is another
man who starts out in worldly enterprise,
and he depends upon the uncertainties OF
this life. After awhile the storm comes,
and losses off the masts of the ship; he puts
tigC-Dodb, tuC anu liG duC-
toneer try to help him off; they can't help
him off; he must 90 down; no Christ in the
ship.
You may seem to get along without The
religion Of Christ while everything goes
smoothly. but after awhile, when sorrow
movers over the soul, when the waves of
trial dash clear over the hurricane deck, and
the bowsprit is shivered, and the halliards
are swept into the sea, and the gangway is
crowded with piratical disasters-oh, what
will you then do without Christ in the
ship? Young man, take God for your por-
ton, God for your guide God for your help;
then all is well all is well for time, ali
shall be well forever. Blessed is that man
who pnis in the Lord his trust lie shall
never be confounded
But my subject also impresses me with
the fact that when people start to follow
Christ they must not expect smooth sailing
ST. James lost his head. St Philip was
hung TO death on a pillar st. Matthew had
his life dashed out with halbert. ST.
Mark was dragged to death through the
streets st. James the Less was beaten TO
death with fnliers clnb. ST. Thomas WINS
struck through with spear. They did not
find following Christ smooth sailing. On.
how they were all tossed in the tempest!
John Hnss in the fire; Hugh McKail in the
hour of martyrdom the Albigenses, the
Weaknesses, the Scotch Covenanters-di
they find it smooth sailing?
Bat why go to history when can find all
around me q score of illustrations of the
truth of this subject? That young man in
the store trying to serve God, while his EN-
ployer SCOTS at Christianity; the young
men in the same store antagonistic to the
Christian religion, teasing him, tormenting
him about his religion, trying to get him
mad. They succeed in getting him mad,
saying, You're a pretty Christian Does
this young man find it smooth sailing when
he tries to follow Christ? Here is a Chris
tian girl. Her father despises the Christian
religion; her mother despises the Christian
religion her brothers and sisters scott at the
Christian religion; she can hardly find a
quiet place in which to say her prayers.
Did she find it smooth sailing when she
tried to follow Jesus Christ? Oh, no; all
who would live the life of the Christian re-
ligion must suffer persecution if you do
not find it in one way, you will get it in
another way.
The question was asked, "Who are those
nearest the thr0ne?" and the answer came
back: :" These are they who came up out
OF great tribulation great failing" as
the original has it; great failing, great
pounding" and had their robes washed
aud made white in the blood of The Lamb"
Oh, do not be disheartened. Oh, child of
God! take courage You are in glorious
companionship. God will see you through
huy fr,ol o,,l L Il