The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1898-08-09
Stumbling Stones Of Life.

Let it not be forgotten that it is in
the surrounding of obstacles that we
are especially the followers Of Jesus
Christ. 1t is this that made Him
the primacy among the sons Of God,
the name above every name. He
might have quietly served His gen.
Grafton in some small way, but would
have welded no influence beyond His
time, would have left no example for
the worlds guidance and salvation.
He had to encounter every obstacle
of birth and position. Born in a nan
ger, of the loWIiest parantage; brought
up in an obscure village OF a despised
province, remote from any centre Of
culture or influence; with no friends
except poor and unlettered artisans
and fishermen-just human, however
richly endowed; susceptible of all hui
man inf1rmities, and with a will power
that might have been curbed and dead
ened by hindrances that seemed insu-
perable-on those very stones Of stumb
ing He rose to the consciousness Of q
position in which multitudes might
hang upon His words, and the cham,
pions of stupid traditions tremble at
His inconoclastic might. He knew
what He was-all that He might be
and do.
Then there came to Him the tempta
ton TO use His conscious capacity of
IL f1uence and power Of action as at
once to free His people from the Roman
yoke, and to earn for Himself. from
their we'll. merited gratitude, wealth,
rank and fame. The stones Of stumb
ling lowered mountain. high on His
way, and there was ample room for
Him to creep round them, with no
treepass upon the absolute right, IN
der shelter Of patriotic loyalty, and
with every selfward motive to seek q
kingdom Of this world. For forty
days and nights in the wilderness He
Kept in sight the pile Of jagged rocks
before HIM, which he could climb only
with torn hands and bleeding feet, and
the smooth, easy way round it, by
which He could creep into favor and
groveI into earthly eminence and
power.
He made the irrevocable choice. He
stood on a summit with all that the
world could give beneath Him-on a
summit indeed, but only at the base
Of those letter heights which He had
seen in n moter vision. Now, close at
hand ere a homeless life, weary days,
nights Of lonely watching, treRcherous
friends, enemies on every hand, the
scorn and hatred Of men in place and
power, Herod and Plate, Jew and
Gentle, else at strife, made one for
His destl uction, and high above ali,
in ever clearer view, the mount of
Calvary, the cross of shame and agony,
the bitter, ignomjnious death. But to
His eye the heavens are opened.
and from the cleft sky there sink into
His soul the words of God, This is
my beloved Son, in Whom I am well
pleased" and from every depth OF
His inmost being goes forth the re
spouse, 10, 1 come to do Thy will, oh,
my God"
On and up He pursues His unhalting
way, at every step overcoming, sur
mounting the world, till from the cross
he rises to the right hand of God, to
the throne Of redeemed humanity. be
fore which in the fullneas of time everv
knee shall bow, and every tongue con
Tess Him to be Lord, and whence come
10 each of US His words: BE thou
faithful unto death, and I will give
thee a crowd Of life. To him that
overcometh will I grant to sit with
me III my throne, as I also overcema.
and am set down with my father in
His thrCne." Let US try to be faithful.
I-[FrOm Kings Chapel Sermons, by
Houghton Miflin 6 Co., Boston