The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1902-03-16
SEEKING OPPORTUNITY.
(Selected for THE Times


Then entered Satan into Judas (sur-
named IscarioD, being Of the number of
the twelve. And he Went, his way and
communed with the Chief priests e
And he promised and sought opportunity
to betray Him unto .them."-St. Luke
xii, So.
Here is a vivid instance of the craft OF
that old serpent. the devil. He did not
seek a stranger nor n leader of the gene
raj public. He entered into one of the
done this work. It was singular indeed,
that which ought to hxve been the secret
for the best influence was the secret for
the worst. Satan always wants to do
that. To get hold of a nominal Chris
tan is his supreme intent and desire.
No one can hurt Christ so much as one
who processes to follow him.
The whole stress Of the term lies in
'.hcing OF the number of the twelve
Break up that unit, make it in an odd
in the heart; at once black seeds are
sewn in the heart, and there will be a
harvest of sin.
Are we of the number of the twelve?
What ought ''the twelve to do?" To
help Christ and His work, cooperate
with Christ, represent Christ, SO that
rnen may see in US the Lord. Initiate Him
in word look and act Every mans life
should be his Bible. 1t is the only Bible
that the world reads.
You do not need your faith to be sup
ported by buttress on the outside; you
only need to remember Gods goodness
to you in your past life, and you will
have lifting up and strengthening
within. This is the gracious and abiding
power. This is the special privilege Of
"the twelve"
What did Judas do under this evil guild
ance? He sought opportunity" It is
a simple expression, but there is world
OF tragedy in it! What self-involution,
what scheming, what balancing of prob
abilities, what weighing and deduction
CT differences! What a minute recall Of
Christ's methods-when He rises, whence
Lie travels, what He does. where He
prays. What is his weak point? at
what time car I surprise Him? Thus
did he "seek opportunity" Whoever does
that will find it.
We make our opportunities. What do
you want to maker
You can do it. Happily this fact hold
good not only in evil directions, but also
in the welfare of the soul. We can make
opportunities for doing good We can
throw ourselves by skillful accident into
the way Of doing good without appearing
aggressive or obtrusive.
In the text we have an instance of pre-
meditated effort and crime. It may also
be termed indirect murder, for while he
sought opportunity to betray Him" the
murder was actually done by others.
There are plenty of people willing to do
the sin # they can escape the conse-
cuences. There is. many a temptation to
DO the first while seeking to avoid the
last They are willing to point out Christ,
and then to run away and leave others
to do the murder. .:f.F
That is what you did when you told
the young man that was book he ought
to read.g You never saw him again: but
YOU knew if he read that book his was
dead soul. All you did was to say that
the book was very Fascinating and sug-
sestive. and then you ran away. Are you
g,liltless of that young mans death?
You bought the book, named the book.
lent the book, watched the effect of the
book, and then professed to deplore the
results. VIII he have nothing to say to
you when you face each other at the final
bar?
III put tne cup to- tbs lips of the Lad;