Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1902-12-06
III

What is thy name? and he might we'll
have said Teacher, for he teaches what
discipline really Is, and the story OF how
this man was changed from Jacob to Israel
Is helpful To us all. II was real spiritual
education. but education means to draw
out, and YOU might draw ont from some
thing which has been imD.anted. and that
something must he the divine nature. Dis
cipline for the man who Is not a Christian
is failure. You viii remember when Jacob
was at Haran he began to he dscon-
tented with his lot. and the craftiness OF
his nature was constantly growing
God sent him away from the pace. He
had everything man could want. hut he
must become wanderer " he would go
on to the Israel nature. We doubtless all
of us have learned that that which is loss
for us has been gain for Christ. ard sui
fering is a good thing. but it is comforting
10 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 roes before us is
the good Shepherd Himself. He will not
lead us too far nor suffer us to be temnted
above that we are abe TO bear. The love
OF God often means discipline. Peon'e or
dina-ily have low THOUGHTS of love: they
only count that love which caresses and
sooths and makes of Itself shield that no
rough wind may blow upon us. They have
no notion OF n love that can say no. ,ove
that can use the rod and the scourGe and
call the object of its power TO pass thron@h
the ire. and IL Is interesting 10 hear tn"
Scrlnture declare concerning God and
Jacob. ''Thou are Jacob whom | have
loved vet his life was one long struggle
filled with constant disanpon'w"nt. How
ever. it is true that every trial and every
disappointment was stem nearer his
princelv nature. | myself would take
every trial he had and every di>apnoint-
mont he met. won'd endure every heart
Il. l.. 80 I
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
10 him constantly. and he is afraid Above
him Is God. He has come to .Tahbok's
ford. the lone.iest mace in the Holy Land.
One could not easily remain there the night
through. He has reached the ioaeliest
hou. of tho night across TIE .Iabhok * his
property. his chi dren. his beloved Rachel.
and Jacob was eft alone. Around him the
profound silence OF the desert place. beside
him the murmur of the brook as it hurr;es
on to the sea. above him the heavens
studded with strrs. This is no: an illus
tration of Jacobs earncstness in PRAYER.
but rather the earnestaess Of the angel of
tn, lord. who would take from Jacob that
which is between him and power.
Notice first. how Jacob holds on to the
anger. III Il ma |NetOuS tning now long Il
man can ho'd out Gcains: God. Some of us
have heen doing il Tor wears.
Notice. second. that the angel touched
the hollow OF his thigh. Whatever enables
y soul to hold out against God He will
touch 1t may be bride. wealth affection.
it may be something natural. as sinew
and small a. a sinew. bat He will touch
it. can see JPcob struggle in the angels
embrace. and then | behold him coming
away with n new name: he is Israel. the
prince The wav To nrnceiness IS the way
of SIRE surrender. We mus yield ourselves
to God for power afterward. 1t : said he
called the nlacc Pencil. for said he II
have seen God faca to face and as he
crossed over .Iahhoh the sun rose Doubt
less he felt rs ii he had never seen il rise
before
Ny dear friend. Mr. s. ". Had'ey. the
morning after his conversion said as he
opened his eyes and cooked out of the VIM
dow. "Why. is this heaven: have never
seen the s.n shire like this. and are those
the trees Of life? for | have never seen
trees like these" and vet they were the
same trees and il was the same sun that
was shining yesterday. but he was looking
with the power of a new vision. Oh. may
God help US to come to the same expe-
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. at = far
better for US to live in tine city rather than
the pain; it will he better for our chill
dren. they will become more cultured"
and they went to Sh ,chem on.v to make
the greatest shipwreck OF their home. and
they turned away from il after while
with broken hearts. and God said 20 hun.
Arise. and 60 up 10 Bethel and dwell
there" Christians suffer spiritual decina-
ton for very many reasons. bat IN this ex
preston to-day ! have the secret of re-
newed conservation. II is necessary in
these davs if Christia,s are to be as they
would like to be for the"' to pray as they
used II pray. read the pible as they used
to read it, yield themselves TO God as they
did in former times and the old 10Y will |
come back with increasing force. If we are
to have times of hiessinc in the DAYS to
come the individual who is the leader OF Il |
horne must GO back to Bethel and live in
his home as he used,to live. and the church |
must 90 hack to Rnthel and be filed with !
the Spirit of God - she was in other
days. But the end has come at last. the /
scaffolding is taken down from about this
wonderful character. lie has heen n long
struggle with him. the last word is smoker.
the last command Is given. the Jacob look
is leaving his face. the Israel nature has
gained control He was a prince indeed