The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1902-11-26
A Saarehing Question.

Suppose that you and L bad been guests
that morning beside the sea at breakfast!
Think. Of yourself as coming there, even
rs Peter and the others, from some vain
attempt to wrest little gain from this old
world. and 90 forget the times we had de:
MED our Lord and ali the sadness that had
followed, ending in His going away from
rs in the blackness Of death. You Temem.
Der the deuials, don't you? The time you
long pause when your pasor asked II 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 smile-because you feared what
they might say, more than you loved your
Lord.
And that other time-thst weary week
when you cared for sick one IN your
own home and managed the household
and helped the children Of to school, and
your Lord could be to You in such trying
time, and did not-when you did the duty
al with sighs, 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
10 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 60 back to
your former days, to your fishing. or your
sewing, or any Of the emp!oyments in
which you were used to absorb your soul
before Christ. called you into His marvel;
ous light, and plunge your despai,ins 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 TOR
you, and knew there was forgiveness for
sou 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.
ter's 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, yet love Me more than all these
things out Of which I have called yop:
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, "C6ild, do you love Me: Are you
sure. More than your foolish fears and
shrinkings% And what would you an
swer?
And yet again will He search you. for
His heart Is yearning for your love. It Is
love He wants. It is love must be your
creed. "Child. do you love he? Think!
Are you sure" All. can you truthfully
ay. Thou knowest that love Thee"
How Jesus must have loved Peter as He
watched him throw himself into the sea,
His heart yearning over him when He saw
him grid his fishers garment about him
with the strong free motion Of the younS
man, and knew that in a few years more
that same Disciple would be girded with q
rope and led forth to martyrdom! And
yet He needs must rebuke impulsive Peter
more.
As much do we sometimes need that
sharp rebuke. "What is that to thee?
Follow thou Me-" II we truly love Hin,
we shall be willing to follow His plan for
Us, no matter how easy a life may be in
store for others.-Nsw York Mail and E.
press.