Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1903-06-13


those gloomy mines that burrow into the
Asiatic mountains. The opinion OF the
world exiles finest feeling. 1t dungeons
truest manhood. 1t rivets chain and ball
on our loftlest aspirations. IL vetoes lade-
pendence We dare not be free and manly
and genuine 1t makes our feet fast in the
stocks of its whims. We are all the while
asking which way the weather-cock points
and we trim. We are diilGent in inQur
ing how the current sets. and we veer. in
stead OF asking whittier the needle points
End setting our prov 10 the pole star; in
stead of reading the chart and laughing to
scorn the fret and roar OF the pillows. We
serve Christ. by the worlds permission.
Why should we be so deferential to the
worlds opinion? Ii Won slip. will the
world help you up? Ii YOU have botted
the fair page OF Your life. is the world
helping you to whiten it: Ii You are sick.
will the word play physician! Ii You are
strugglin-: with all the energy that is in
your soul to scale some starry height OF
purity and OF nobility viii the world lend
you a hand: When your path enters the
valley OF the shadow will the world walk
beside you on that lonely and mysterious
way? When Your stay here is ended will
the world spend one thought upon YOU.
keep flowers growing on yoar grave or tear
the lchens from your tombstone There
= one who loves you. one who. whenever
You slip. has an arm al love ready 10 catch
YOU: when You fall has messages OF hope
ready to whisper in yorr ear. He will
whiten Your soul. lie will grid your weak
ness. lie will school Your ignorance. He
will share your sorrow. He will companion
you as you cross the frontiers OF time. He
will introduce you into an unc,ouded
eternity beyond. Why care very much io>
the opinion OF the world in which We are
but = fraction now. and in which to-mor-
row we will he a cipher? Why not very
keenlv care for ore whose love cnve,ops
our being as with aa atmosphere?
Turn the page and read the later story OF
apostolic loyalty. TIE sequel is different
from the preface. Gail the roll OF that
glorious company Of the apostles and hear
every compass point ring with fidelity to
Jesus. Read how they sowed the earth
with martyr blood from -Ahyssinia 10 In
dia. Begin the chronicle with that trad.
ton OF Simon Peter, who was led out to
death in the Roman amphitheatrc while
his wife was crowned with mar.yrdom
before his eyes. to shake If possible the
stanch roci, OF his bedded faith. And
while she suffered he called her by name
and addressed her i'll terms OF most endear
ing affection and eXhorted her to remem
Der the love of the blessed Lord and to be
firm until the very end. His turn came
next. lie had but a single favor to ask
from God as he God there in the old
that was that he might remain firm for
one more hour. He had but a single favor
to ask from man, and that was that he
might be crucfied head downward. as it
was too great an honor for one who had
deserted Jesus TO suffer in the same way
Jesus did. The whole company OF the
apostles went sweeping home to their
Master in char:ots Of fire. They sealed
their allegiance TO Him with their blood
Since the night OF panic they had come to
see Jesus under new ASPECT. They had
known Him as friend. He had a place
At their table and a voice in the home talk.
He had seat at their fresides and a
share in their plans. They had strolled
together up and down the field paths
they had paced side by side through the
city streets. He had colored their SYM
pathies. nodded their character. enriched
their lives: but the bond of friendship
broke in the hour Of trial. They had
known Him as teacher. They had been
fascinated by the crystal-cicar form OF His
statements. They had thrilled TO the
searching and subtle touch OF His noun
tain sermon. They had felt the subtle
charm OF His parallels. but the spell OF His
wisdom did not keep them true on the
night of His betrayal. They had seen Him
as miracle worker. They had behe!d
the storm s.eep like n child at His COM
mand. They had witnessed leprosy con
ltlsD purity III MS tc-s-H. Nef L1tI
seen the winter OF the seiu!oher bloom
into the spring when His sandals touched
the linte. OF the tomb. hlt The power OF
Jesus did not armor them to look unon
the face OF fear But since that hour of
heart failure they had come to know Him
as their Saviour. They had seen Jesus die
for them. They had ;elt the touch OF iove
that death co2ld not quench. They had
been beneath the arms OF the cross out
stretched to shelter them. They had caught
the accents oi His parting PRAYER. Father,
forgive" They had heard His triumph
shout. 1T is finished Is their Re
deemer jesus riveted them TO Himself with
hooks Of steel.
In this day OF force worship it is timely
70 upliit Christ As the vitalzing energy OF
humanity. 1t is pertinent 70 emphasize
the deathless power that resides IN Chris
tanity. 1t is interesting TO watch II soar
ing like a phoenix from the ashes OF .ler;i
salem, shifting like Il mailed giant the forces
OF the Graeco- Roman civilization. sweeping
HE white-winged angel OF mercy beyond
the Alps and the Rhine. and scattering
glorious henedictons upon Scandinavian,
Celt and Saxon: to watch II as 1t carries
the same benehcent potencies TO the dark
continents and hermit nations OF our own
time, and blessing with its exhaustiess
bounty attic and cellar. avenue and alley,
and parior and schooiroom, and market
lat.tS vi latter CAV asiLH III tfl!S HOUR
OF culture craze it is timely to mark the
unique wisdom OF the Christ and TO note
that through al the ages train OF gifted
minds has brought the treasures OF their
lie and laid them al the feet of Him who
was Graded in the Bethlehem manager: 10
observe the masters OF human thought
bowling with wondering homage before the
sweet and the clarity OF Christ's insight:
to remark how the boldest OF the skcptics
become defercntial and unsandal when
they pass within the charmed circle OF this
singular personality. Bat when | see one
who dwelt i'll the light OF the face OF God
Fastening down INFO the shadows and mis-.
cries OF this stricken earth; when | behold
Him stripping Himself OF those robes OF
divine majesty which He wore before the
world began aud appareiing Himself with
that sadhaed vesture which we mortals
wear. stained with woe and broidered with
tears; when | behold Him who was the
centre OF angelic alteration. in pathetic
loneliness. becoming TARGET for the scorn
of the world. :lespised and rejected of all
men. spurned by higots in the tribunal of
His people and buff,ted by brutes in the
cuardroom of the Roman; when | mark
the holt of doom that was whistling in its
flight toward my heart bury itself in the
bosom OF His love. and all this for me. for
me, sinner, then / am His Then, if
ever, The elemental depths OF being are
stirred and loyalty OF affection Is enkin-
died that knows no swerving.