The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1902-11-06


Suppose that you and had been guests
that morning beside the sea at breakfast!
Think of yourself as coming there, even
as Peter and the others, from some vain
attempt to wrest a little gain from this old
world, and so forget the times we had de
MED our Lord and all the sadness that had
followed ending in His going away from
us in the blackness of death. You remem.
ber the denials. don't you? The time you
sat so still in prayer meeting during that
long pause when your pasor asked if there
was not some one there to tell what Christ
had been to him. while beside you sat that
friend who has never known your Lord?
And the day YOU listened to that Jest
about religion and your Christ, and though
your heart burned with indignation your
lips wore a smile--because you feared what
they might say, more than you loved your
Lord.
And that other time-that weary week
when you cared for a sick one in your
own home and managed the household
and helped the children off to school, and
might have had a chance to show what
your Lord could be to you in such trying
time. and did not-when you did the duty
all with sghs, and met the little eager
faces of the children with harshness, and
spoke Grossly to the sick one. Yes, you
know. You did not need any cock to crow
to remind you of your shame.
And then, you know. you thought Christ
was dead to YOU. His voice no longer
echoed along the corridors Of your heart
His face no longer reflected in yours
Then. then YOU were like to go back to
your former days, to your fishing or your
sewing. or any of the cmployments in
which YOU were used to absorb your soul
before Christ called you into His marvel.
Gus light, and plunge your despairing soul
into fierce work once more and forget.
But YOU found it all useless. Though YOU
toiled all night you caught nothing. Your
planning all went amiss until your Master
called to you, and suddenly you saw Him
on the shore there preparing comfort for
YOU, and knew there was forgiveness for
you in His voice. And there, sitting be.
side the sea, in the white sand, YOU and /,
with Peter and the rest. we feel the Mas
ters loving gaze, searching deep into our
hearts. and know that for each time we
have denied He is giving us opportunity to
confess. Dear child" He says, "do you,
after all, vet love Me more than all these
things out of which ] have called you?
More than the cares of this life, the work.
ing for money and social position" And
what would you answer? For upon your
answer hangs your commission.
And again the second time He says unto
you, Child, do you love Me? Are you
shrinkings" And what would you an.
swerg
And yet again will He search you. for
His heart is yearning for your love. 1t is
love He wants 1t is love must be your
creed. Child do YOU love me? Think!
Are YOU sure" All. can you truthfully
saw. "Thou knowest that love Thee?"
How Jesus must have loved Peter as He
watched him throw himself into the sea.
His heart warming over him when He saw
him grid his fishers garment about him
with the strong free motion of the young
man, and knew that in few years more
that same disciple would be girded with n
rope and led forth to martyrdom! Aud
vet He needs must rebuke impulsve Peter
more
As much do wo sometimes need that
sharp rebuke. "What is that to thee?
Follow thou Me-" If we truly love Him
we shall be willing to follow His plan for
us. no matter how easv life may be in
store for others.-New York Mail and Ex-