The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-16
THE sUNDAY-sCHOoL LESSON.
June ~, o John vi, 5-14-The
of Five Thousand.

Crucial times had come. John Baptist was
martyred.
AT a drunken monarch's call,
A a dancing woman's beck,
They had severed the stubborn neck"
Prudence suggested retirement. WEAKNESS de-
manded it. The retreat would also afford the
apostles an opportunity TO report more minute
ly to the Master the experiences of their trial
trip. two and two, through Galilee, 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 multitudes that pressed
upon them even at mealtimes. . . Head
winds probably drove the little bark near shore.
and retarded its progress. Clandestine as the
departure had been. 1t failed of its purpose.
An ever-augmenting throng hurried around the
head of the lake. and probably appraised some
pilgrim caravans to the passover of the COM
ing 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 children. . So, far from being
irritated by this foiiing OF His plans. Jesus
heart was touched to pity at sight OF the shep-
herdIess flock. and He began at once to instruct
them in many phases of the doctrine of grace.
In the absorbing interest of the theme. neither
Teacher nor taught observed how the sun was
dipping TO. the western horizon. But the
ccmmissary of the apostolic college suddenly
aWOkc 10 n SitudliDf.s i've TtkltltUlSs II
no stores on hand or any country to forage
upon. After some questions on Jesus part, cal
culated to test His disciples faith. but 10 which
they respond with phenomenal obtuseness, He
prepares to work what, in some respects, was
his most remarkable and significant miracle.
. The material basis of the miracle was
paltry i'm the extreme.
but one poor fishers rude and scanty store,
Is all He asks land more than needs),
Who men and angels daily feeds
There is a vivid descriptive touch i'm the Greek
which does not appear i'm our version. Under
Jesus direction the confused throng was re-
solved into the order of a. French parterre.
He had them sit plat-wise. so that they looked.
in their high-colored garment like veritable
flower beds. with green turf intervening.
. . . After the cheerful grace, which Jesus
never omits, he puts a morsel of bread and fish
in the hand OF each apostle. and sends him
forth to serve. What He broke Off Is larger
far than that which remains. But that which
remains is undiminished. And all are fed and
filled. . AS a lesson in frugalIty. the un-
used fragments are ordered TO be gathered up.
Each hesitating apostle holds in his hands the
tangible evidence of the reality and magnitude
OF the miracle wrought
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
Lovely evidence is here OF the implicit con-
ndence which maintained between Jesus and
Ills apostles. They came to Him They teld Him
what they had done, what they had taught.
They were sure OF His sympathy. IL they
needed correction. they knew il would be done
in love. . The eldest disciples have no
monopoly, however. OF Jesus sympathy. He Is
touched with a feeling for US too. We can
come TO Him also; to tell Jesus Is still the
disciples blissful recourse. . . . The same
considerateness which Jesus showed for the
health and comfort OF His toilers He still feels
for those who I'm this latter day are engaged
In His service. Seasons of respite are indis-
pensable for the highest effectiveness. A church
initiates the Master when 1t gives an indus
trious pastor a vacation. IL says. Go apart,
and rest awhile" But apostles nor
There's a Wilderness In His mercy
Like the Wilderness OF the sea-"
1t sweeps out TO inclose all sorts and condi-
tons of men. Jesus was as compassionate to-
ward the five thousand as toward the twelve.
So His Savior-heart goes out toward the great
unchurched masses to-day. Five crack
es and two dried herring, Talk OF feeding ave
thousand with them. But add to the crackers
and fish the alm,ghtiness OF Christ. and the
proposition ceases to be ridiculous. The resources
OF the church for spiritual sustenance for the
thousand millions OF earth are paipably made
cuate until the Savior's power and blessing
are added to the equation. Then there II enough.
and to spare. $50 The hesyliness Of this