The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-30
THE sUNDAY-scHooL LESSON.
July I, 1900: Matthew xiv, 22-3s-
Jesus on the Sea.

Jesus Walking on the sea-
Jesus maintained a perfect equilibrium between
the objective and the subjective life. He was no
recluse. seeking a cell or a cave. Monasticism
finds no justification N His example. His life
was one OF unsurpassed industry. He poured
himself out in the loving and helpful service Of
others. He had a triple profession-teaeher.
physician. preacher. He piled them all with such
zeal that His mother and brothers feared He
would consume himself. The sentimental re-
ligious idler is rebnked by the Master whom he
may profess 10 follow. Yet Jesus knew how TO
$50 into silence He chose. sometimes. to be
alone. He ''saluted himself" and saw what
His soul did mar'-to use George Herbert's
quaint phrase. He communed with His Father
in secret. In this residence frora objective in
dustries He. humanity speaking. so, the poise
and strength 10 continue those Industries In an
astonishing manner. 1t was to obtain such a
season after a day OF miracles in word and deed
that He dismissed His disciples and afterward
the twice-fed multitude. This done. He went
up the hill by himself 10 pray, and when evening
fell He was there alone" What delightful
recreative communion he had with the divine
within Him is for us to imagine, not 10 know.
Proximity of His disciples or others would have
marred ii, If not made it impossible. The re-
wards OF that secret fellowship were afterwards
openly apparent. The scene following is
ar acted parable. Jesus is still sending His
disciples into storms. In His omniscience He
knows what is in store for them. but still urges
them forward. He also watches TO see how
they will deport themselves In the stress. IL is
said He saw them toiling in rowing He
delayed His coming until three hours after mid
night. Their nautical skill, their strength, cour-
age and faith were tested TO the uttermost. When
every human resource was exhausted, then only
Jesus came to them. But even then they
frfChtannd nj fha farm and manner IN
which their deliverer came Not till He spoke
to them in His familiar voice were their fears
allayed. Courage He said, lit is L. DO not
be AFRAID . . The incident of Peter is the
parable in the parable. In his impetuosity he
cried: Master, since 1t is you. tell me to come
to you on the water" The Christian life is a
getting out of the old self and environment. IL
is as different from the old way as walking on
water is different from walking on land. The
secret of success is keeping the eye on the Mas
ter. If one gives heed to wind or wave. he sinks.
Even so, at the faintest cry. Jesus will instantly
stretch out His hand. His upbraiding will be of
the ~gentlest. How little faith you have! What
made you hesitate?'
THE TEACHERS LANTERN.
In Michael Angeles palace in Florence the
guide leads you to what appears 20 be an ordi-
nary panel in the wall of the salon. But when
he touches a secret button. the panel flies open
like a door, revealing a small cell in the wall.
There is a common stool and a deal shelf set at
an angle. The only light is through a lancet win
dow. In this secret place Angelo worked out his
ideals. The pains Of the closet had their re-
ward in a Pantheon swung in air" So when
ever one of you prays. let him go into his own
room. shut the door, and pray to his Father, who
Is in secret; and then his Father who sees what
is done in secret will repay him." . In
the vestibule of st. Peters Cathedral at Rome
there is a quaint mosaic, representing Peter
walking on the sea. 1t is said that a cardinal
went daily for fifty years. and. gazing thought
fully on the scene, would utter the sans prayer.
Lord. help me to triumph over the waves of sin
as Peter did over the waves of the sea" (.
Jesus seldom spoke in the temple. He spent CON-
paratively little of His time in Jerusalem. the
ecclesiastical center. He went to the Masses
most OF His ministry was in populous Galilee.
He found the people where they were. literally
and fguratively. ss' The same motive which
prompted Peter to throw himself into the sea
and swim to the shore where Jesus was standing
led him into this novel experience. namely, ar
dent attachment to the person of his Master.
There may. OF course. have been lesser motives.
as. for example. natural courage and boyish
delight in adventure" . . . There are some
fine shades of meaning in the original. Thus
ID Jesus Constrained His disciples" They
went against their WILL They preferred to share
their Masters vigil. go 1t was not the indefinite
"a boat but 'the boat" the one in which they
had come, possibly one which had been placed
at their disposal permanently. CD They were
not merely tossed by the waves" but literally
tortured by them. Cd Not 1T is a spirit. -
but an "apparition," a spectral sign of death.
90 Not Lord. If it be Thou but since IT is
Thou" 60 THE wind ceased;'' rather. like a
person., IL grew weary with its own e~xertions