The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-05-11
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 z THE GREAT CORNERSTONE. ! ~ fMaff xxvifi. 1e,-2Ol

THE GREAT COMMISSION. Y
 (Matt. xviii: 16-2o) Y 4%% 4 < Y Y < Y . w .Tntroduction.--It should be remem- bered that the life of Jesus Christ in this world had constant reference to Inc welfare of men. He taught ana hcxed for the good of others. He was o filled with the spirit of benevolence kat He planned to be a blessing after
 living the world. It was for this pur-
 that He selected a company of
 clhles. that He gathered them to-
 her and instructed them for nearly
 ee years. that they might be His
 nesses and representatives, that in
 0t He might perpetuate himself and
 arge His work by them. This plan
 ped His course of procedure. He
 Gnany things undone for them to
 His post-resurrection work and in
 euce were all directed to them. We
 ve seem how by different methods at
 rious times. He came to convince
 ktain persons and bring them into
 icst- sympathy with His purposes
 q women, the two Journeying to Elm
 Aus. the ten in the upper room, horsaas the doubter, and Peter the tisherman, were all addressed in a hammer suited to their dispositions. live shall now consider in what terms &and spirit He sent out these men to heir nfe-work.
 HIaetreat.--It is probable that the
 ents by the seashore studied last
 1ek preceded what we are now to Consider. although on that point we may not be positive. If so it prepared for this later interview. The eleven disciples appeared to be separated from afhe larger body of followers, and they retired together to one of the noun aains of Galilee. that section that had been so dear to Jesus through His min- astry. No one knows what mountain was selected for this retreat. although many conjectures have been made con- corning it. The greatest number think 1t was the same as that on which the sermon was delivered. (Matt. v:l) They resorted thither in obedience to an appointment which Jesus had made, possibly at the sea but not recorded, but certainly anticipated in His remark R(Azatt. xxvi:32) and promised through the women. Verse 10) The moun- tains were frequently chosen by men sn scriptural times for spiritual pur- poses, as Sinai, Hermon, Olivet. The pure atmosphere. the holy quiet, the deep solitude, the inspiring grandeur of such places is we'll known.
 Wofhhip-The eleven sought the place Grst ard Jesus came afterward. They fu1niisd His conanaand and found their reward. And when they saw Him they weFshipped. Was there some unusual eplandor encircling Ills brow as some have suggested? Did His glory beam forth from His person as on a few other occasions. notably when Moses and Eiias came to talk with Him? (Matt. xvii, 2l. These questions. arising spon- tafisously in the mind. cannot be an- swered. The historian only makes us know that by some method. eitheS physical or psychical, the disciples were Brought to a reverent spirit. For a long time they had seen and heard the Inatchless Teacher and witnessed His wonderful deeds, only at intervals recognizing His true character, (Matt. XVI. 16) but more frequently thinking of Him as temporal prince who would beatow favors. (Mark K, 24) Now they are convinced that He is indeed a Divine person, the promised Messiah, who would set up a spiritual kingdom. and they offer the homage which was due to one of sisS exalted nature and station.
 Doubt--H is exceedingly difficult to bring R company of men into a com- nzpoD thought and purpose. The more 5fest they are the greater will be the BifIiculty. Each must move in his own *way, some slowly and cautiously, others quickly and boldly The differences in the Christian church have risen less from an eyil spirit than from desire to be right And so it seems that in 4his small band of eleven there was not perfect unanimity of sentiment. sSome douhted,n the text declAres.