The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-02

with n pathos and tenderness which
were characteristic OF the disciple John
there is portrayed with striking contrast
and well nigh bewildering paradox the
last hour OF the Master with His disci-
pies
One reads II well, and sets the picture
1t was. not at all times or in all moods
One does not prepare their mind for this
vivid scene. the heart is made ready for
IL by those waftlngs OF the spirit and
those inspirations that come we do not
Know whence or how far. There must
have been some definite object in Johns
mind as he sketched this scene enacted
when the hour had finally come.
II is with the thought of the sublime
that the artist brings forth the contrast
between the bold mountain, its head
drawn up heavenward and the valley
sunk deep beneath IL. SO one sees here
the heights OF TRANSPORTATION and the
depths OF humble service and so near to
these depths start to rise that height
that one is struck with awe and wonder.
Jesus knowing that the Father had
given all things into his hands and that
he came forth from God and goeth unto
God" the picture OF majestic power. Not
a picture that the loving heart OF John
read half unconsciously and without war
rant into the life OF the Master: but a
representation Of Jesus that strong word.
loving deed, courageous sacrifice had
framed and shaped until John was only
describing what others felt and knew.
SPOKE WITH AUTHORITY.
He had spoken as one having authority
and not In the meaningless and weakling
phrase of the scribe.
While others were going about as roar
Ing lions seeking whom they might de-
YOUR, a'iietly he had gone forth among
the poor and needy doing good. When he
touched the sick body the smart left II
and the sick soul found health and over
the troubled waters OF the care-tossed
storm swept souls he poured the oil Of
peace while the Pharisees Knocked him
and the seribes questioned him and the
Sadducees feared him those who had
been allowed to enter into his life through
the mysterious, winding way OF love
ceased to say SHOW us the Father and
It sufficeth us for the Father had given
all things into his hands and they who
saw into the depths OF this solitary.
hungering. bleeding soul, yearning with
infinite position for men. saw God.
The love OF John for the Master enabled
him To sec farther. II was not power
alone that he saw. Jesus knowing that
the Father had given all things into his
hands and that he came forth from God.
and goeth unto God riseth from supper
and layeth aside his garments and he
took "A towel and grded himself Then he
poured water into the basin and began TO
wash the disciples feet"
From those strong words OF power and
might, before the sentence is ended we
are led TO witness the humblest service
done now only by the menial servant dc.
graded to the position OF slave
WHAT WAS TT
Was II custom? Did tradition command
this? Was II merely an act that was to
voice the deep love OF the Master for
those who had followed Him and been
loyal. in some measure 10 His teachings?
II IL had been custom and tradition Pc
ter would not have said: Thou shalt
never wash my feet" II II had merely
stood for an expression OF the Masters
love ] think Petor would have gladly Of
fered himself
For Is IL not just these bold. reckless,
passionate natures that so oft-tmes Of
fond us and deny their God. who pine
most for human love and sympathy. There
comes the burst Of speech, the sudden
act and then we cut them of and they
stand over after alone and their hearts
grow cold and bitter and they curse the
men who ought 10 love them. Teach us,
o gentle Nazarene. to speak as thou
didst and say. Go tell the other disciples
and Peter.
For this disciple there was here n mys-
terry. lie could say. Thou art the Christ
the Son OF the living Cod" but he could
not understand that the one To whom
the Father had given all things should
stoop To wash the feet Of him who was
60 unworthy.
Perhaps hc saw at that moment the
vision Of his denial. the crow Of the cock.
the question of the girl. the tamt OF
mon all were sounding in his ears and
drawing back he said. Thou shalt never
wash my feet" "1f ] wash thee not.
Peter. thou hast no part with me-"
o Peter. thou who hast sat and eaten
OF the bread broken and the wine poured.
symbols OF flesh wrent and blood spilled,
symbols Of that power before which thou
hast bowed I'm reverence, II you miss the
significance of this act of service in
which the infinite power Of God stoops to
the humblest task for men. you have
missed everything.
The mystery 10 Peter was not the
mystery ~ power. for he FIRST had
given testimony 10 the character OF
Christ as from God. Service was no
mystery to him N done by servant or
slave. That which was inexplicable and
not 10 be understood was the combinn- .
ton Of the divine life bowling down to
wash the feet OF weak unworthy men.
For Jesus. however. this was the glory
OF the divine that Its power preeminent
was Its capacity TO serve. Not In that
power that speaks through the silent ma
Jesty OF the heavens. that voices Itself
IN the thunder's voice or that holds like
the plaything OF n child the weight of
worlds and spins them on their way like
tops, not In mighty wonders on the deep.
nor In the wonder working I'm the bowels
of earth il revealed the glory and ca
pacity 81 Gods power but IN the humble
path Of service where we give unseen 10
unknown men bread and sympathy.
WERE JESUS HERE