The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-02-18
THE SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON.
Crucial times had come. John Baptist wa
martyred
At a drunken monarch's call,
At a dancing uNnnnan,a hack

martyred.
At drunken monarch's call,
Al a dancing Woman's beck,
Tney had severed the stubborn neck
Prudence suggested retirement. WEAKNESS de-
manded it, The retreat would also afford the
apostles an opportunity to report more infinitely
to the Master the experiences of their trial trip
two and two through Galee, from which they
had just returned. So the boat which had been
chartered for Jesus and waited upon Him." was
employed to put the weary toilers beyond the
reach of the muititudes that pressed upon them
even at meal times.
Head winds probably drove the little bark near
the shore and retarded it's progress. Clandestine
as the departure had been it failed of it's pur-
pose An ever-augmenting throng hurried around
the head Of the lake and probably appraised some
pilgrim caravans to the passover Of the coming
Of the Great Nazarene. So when Jesus boat ran
its keel upon the pebbly shore there stood five
thousand men, not to mention the women and
So far from being irritated by the failing OF
His plans Jesus heart touched to pity at
sight of the shepherdIess flock, and He began at
once to instruct them in many phases of the
doctrine of grace. In the absorbing interest of
how the sun was dipping to the western horizon.
But the commssary of the apostolic college sud
denly awoke to the situation. Five regiments!
and no stores on hand any country to forage
upon. After some questions Jesus part, cal
culated to test His disciples faith. but to which
proposes to work what in respects was His
most remarkable and significant miracle. The
extremes
But one poor fishers rude and scanty store
Is all de asks Cand more than needs),
Who men and angels daily feeds.
There is a vivid descriptive touch in the Greek
which does not appear In version. Under
Jesus direction the confused throng was resolved
into the order Of French parterre. He had them
sit platwse that they looked in their high
colored garments like veritable flower beds with
After the cheerful grace which Jesus never
omits, ne puts morsel of bread and fish in the
serve What each breaks off is larger far than what
remains. But that which remains is undimn-
ished And all are fed and filled. AS lesson in
rrugality the unused fragments are ordered to be
gathered up. Each hesitatng apostle holds in
his hands the tangible evidence Of the reality and
magnitude OF the miracle wrought.
THE TEACHERS LANTERN
First-Lovely evidence is here OF the implicit
confidence which maintained between Jesus and
His apostles. They c;.me to Him. They told
Him what they had done, what they had taught
They were sure of His sympathy. If they needed
correction they knew it would be done in love.
second-These eldest disciples have no monop-
oily, however, of Jesus sympathy. He is touched
with feeling for US. too. We can come to Him.
also; to tell Jesus is still the disciples bliss
full recourse.
Third-The same considerateness which Jesus
showed for the health and comfort of His toilers
He still feels for those who in this latter day are
engaged in His service. A church initiates the
Master when il gives an industrious pastor va
cation. II says; Go apart and rest a while"
Seasons of respite indispensable for the high
est effectiveness
Fourth-But apostles nor preachers have mo-
nopoly of Jesus sympathy.
There's a Wilderness in His mercy
Like the Wilderness of the sea-
It sweeps out to inclose all sorts and conditions
of men. Jesus compassionate toward the
five thousand toward the twelve. So His
Savior heart goes out toward the great un-
churched masses to-day.
Fffth-Ffve crackers and two dried herring
talk of feeding five thousand with them! But add
to the crackers and fish the amghtiness of Christ
and the proposition ceases to be ridiculous. The
resources Of the church for spiritual sustenance
are palpably inadequate until the Savior's power
and blessing added to this equation. Then
there is enough and TO spare.
Sixth-The heavenliness of this miracle is evil
dent in its orderliness. There was no unseemly
scramble, inequality or waste. All was precision,
method, order.
Seventh-Grace at meals is one of the sweetest
and most impressive services of family religion
We have Jesus example for 1t. and if Paul could
observe Il in the midst of shipwreck there can
scarcely be a domestic emergency which would
justify its omission
Eighth-The spiritual significance of this whole
scene is finely set forth in Mary A. Lathbury's
noble hymn:
Break thou the bread OF life dear Lord to me,
As thou didst break the loaves beside the sea-