Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1902-12-04
I.II
What is thy name? and he might vel

What is thy name? and he might well
have said Teacher, for he teaches what
discipline really is and the story of how
this man was changed from Jacob to lsraei
il helpful to us all 1t was real splrltt'al
education, but education means to draw
out, and you might draw out from some.
thing which has been implanted, and tnae
something must be the divine nature. Dls'
cipline for the man who is not Christian
ia a failure. You will remember when. Jacob
was at Haran he began to be dlscon..
tented with his lot, and the craftlness OF
his nature was constantly growing, SO
God sent him away from the place. lie
had everything a man could want, but ne
must become wanderer It he would 20
on to the Israel nature. We doubtless an
of us have learned that that which Is loss
fering is a good thing, but it is comforting
to know that the hand that stirs the nest
is the hand of Christ and the hand that
leads out is the one that is pierced by the
nails, while the one that goes before us -
the good Shepherd Himself. He will not
lead us too far nor suffer us to be tempted
above that we are able to bear. Inc love
of God often means discipline, People or.
dinarily have low thoughts of love; they,
only count that love which caresses ana
sooths and makes of itself a shield that no
rough wind may blow upon us. They have
no notion of n love that can say no, love,
that can use the rod and the scourge ana
call the object of it's power to pass, through
the fire, and it is interesting to near the
Scripture declare concerning God ana
Jacob, ".Thou are Jacob whom ! have
loved" vet his life was one long struggle
filed with constant disappointment. How
ever, it is true that every trial and every
disappointment was step nearer ms
princely nature. | myself would take
every trial he had and every disapront.
ment he met. would endure every heart
ache if only I might become prince hav'
ing power with God and with men.
".
We are nearing the time when his name
is to be changed. Behind him is Laban,
before him Esau, for he is coming nearer
to him constantly, and he is afraid, Above
him IL God He has come to Jabbok,,s
ford. the loneliest place in the Holy Land.
One could not easily remain there the nlght
through He has reached the loneest
hour of the night: across the Jabhok is his
property, his children. his beloved Rachel,
and Jacob was left alone. Around him the
profound silence of the desert place. beside
him the murmur of the brook as it hurrles
on to the sea. above. him the heavens
studded with stars. This is not an Illus
traton of Jacobs earnestness in prayer.
but rather the earncstncss of the angel of
the Lord. who would take from Jacob that
which is between him and power.
Notice first, how Jacob holds on to the
angel. 1t is a marvellous thing how long a
man can hold out against God. Some OF us
have been doing it for years.
Notice, second, that the angel touched
the hollow of bis thigh. Whatever enables
soul to hold ont against GOD ae VIII
touch. 1t NAV he pride. wealth. affection,
ho hing natural n SlOPW
and as small as sinew. but He will touch
It. | can see Jacob struggle in the angels
embrace. and then behold him coming
away with new name; he Is Israel, the
prince. The way to prInceiness is the way
of sure surrender. We must yield ourselves
TO God for power afterward. 1t - said he
called the nlace Peniel. for said he, II
have seen God face TO face and az he
crossed over ,Iahholi the sun rose. Doubt
less he felt as ii he had never seen 1t rise
before.
NV dear friend. Mr. s. II. Hadlcv, the
morning after his conversion said AS he
opened his eyes and looked out of the win.
dow. "Why is this heaven? I have never
seen the sun shine like this. and are those
the trees of life? for | have never seen
trees like these" and yet they were the
same trees and 1T was the same sun lnas
was shining yesterday, but he was looking
with the power Of n new vision. On, may
God help us to come to the same expc'
rience to-day.
And Jacob went down and met Esau, and
then we are told he went over to She
chem. Somebody has said that doubtless
his wife might have said to him 1t - lar
better for us to live in the city rather than
the plain: it will he better for our chl.
drcn. they will become more cultured.
and they went to Shachem only to make
the greatest shipwreck of their home, ana
they turned away from it after While
with broken hearts. and God said 20 hun:
"Arise. and go up to Bethel aud dwell
there Christians suffer spiritual decina-
ton for very many reasons, but in this CO
preston to-day | have the secret OF re-
newed conservation. 1t ia necessary IN
these DAYS il Christians are to be as they
would like to be for them to pray as they
used to pray. read the Bible as they used
to read it, yield themselves to God as they
did in former times and the old Joy will
come back with increasing force: 1t we are
to have times of blessing in the days to
come the individual who is the leader OF n
home must 90 back to Bethel and live IN
his home as he used to live, and the church
must 90 back to Bethel and be filled with
the Spirit of God as she was in other
DAYS. But the end has come ut last the
scaffolding is taken down from about this
wonderful character. life has been long
struggle with him. the last word is spokenn.
the last command is given, the Jacob look
is leaving his face, the Israel nature has
gained control. He was prince indeed.