The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-22

wholly consccrated to Him and His cause. lie
must be supreme and they must he subject TO
Him. q Chron, xxx: 81
IONORED-Such life would not be attrac
tive to the average man. Many would reject it
as altogether service. Very few are willing to
subordinate their welfare to the interests of the
cause Of Christ. 1t was, therefore, necessary to
offer some incentive to the disciples that they
might become servants, and as such be faith
tul. In order to do this Jesus did not present
any alcyiating circumstances, designed To rem
der their service more agreeable On other oC-
cdsons Matt. y: 2I,D He pictured the hardshps
which they must endure for His sake (ACts iN:
lG) and lIc did not attempt to state the case
in a more inviting manner. But lie assured
them that on His return, no matter when it
might be, they would be rewarded They must
look away from the present TO the future NIeb.
Xi: 81 thereby cultvatmg patience, hope and
faith. Their reward would be the honor which
Vie Himself would hestow. (John xii: POI To
convey some faint conception Of that honor, lie
likens it unto the personal service which an
earthly lord might render to his faithful ser!
wants Verse SO. 1t is evident that the apostles
regarded this promise Of Jesus q Peter V: - by
the manner in which they devoted themselves TO
Him, enduring hardships ioyiully and looking
forward with hope. III Tim. iv: 5-G)
READY-IIaving described faithful servant
Jesus eXhorts or commands: "be ye ready
lie would have them in such state of mind
every day and every hour, that they would be
able to meet any event or discharge any duty as
His ministers. Ii, all unawares even as a thief
in the night Il Ihess. V: 81 lie were TO come
and summon them away from their places Of
labor, they must be prepared TO go. If the
Lord should suddenly descend with all His holy
angels (Matt KAY; 3l) TO bring the present
| dspensation 10 an end and to usher in a new
| CIDER they must in like manner welcome His
| appearing ard rejoice in all His doing (Rev
| xxi: 2O) Or If through weary days Of earnest
| ana anxious waiting, the servant should see nc
| signs OF a new era or brighter day he must
sun stand in his lot aud place Dan. sii: 49,
| performing duty trusting the promise 0I Peter
| ih;li), ready at all times to be and do, or no.
To do, when and where, only as the Master sha
| direct. What a word is this let fall into In,
| religious thought of men, that they must nc
| longer live unto themselves, but unto Hin
| whose they are from. xii: l) How would
this word transform and glorfy those who be
come obedent to il!
I QUESTloN--At this point Peter raised a cues
u"n. lie desired to know the scope OF th
| teaching. Did IL apply only TO the disciple
who then heard it, or to all disciples2 ID,
Jesus seek such service during he apostoli,
period, or through all the subsequent histou
OF the Christian church? The motive OF TN
question does not appear. Peter may have bee,
| simply curious as he was on another occasion
(John xxi: 22) lie may have thought it I'M
piled distinction or imposed a peculiar bur
den upon the apostles, which they ought L
understand, and he may have supposed It in
yolved the structure and nature of the who'll
I Christian system, Important as the questlOl
| was, Jesus did not answer il directly II
rather reaihrmed and expanded what lie ha
already said. Nerses 40 to 42) This He did
however, in such way as TO leave the impres
sion that His instruction was Of universal ap
plieation. Moreover, lie introduces another as
pect of seryice-the care which a steward ough
to give to a household representing the nurtur
of souls q Peter Y; % which is committed /
the ministry (John XXi; 49, and declares tina