Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-06-11
apostles were not so much afraid Of some |

monarchy. We rehearse stories of Siberian
atrocity until the blood chills. There, Is
but one absolute monarch-the car OF hui
man opinion. The ukasc which he issues
drags us all into Siberia of meanness but
family tipy6ed by the degradation OF
Asiatic mountains. The opinion, OF the
world cxlcs finest feeling. II dungeons
truest manhood. 1t rivets chain and ball
on our ]oftiest aspirations. it vctoes 'nde-
pendence. We dare not be free and manly
and genuine. 1t makes our feet fast in the
stocks of its whims. We arc all the while
asking which way the weather cock points
and we trim. We are diligent in inqulr-
ing how the current sets, and we veer,, in.
stead of asking ;S4:!:tther the needle points
anu setting our PROV 70 - ;sso;c star; m
stea! &c Ting Tie 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? If YOU slip. will the
world help you up? If YOU have b'otted
the fair page Of your life is the world
helning you to whiten it? If you are sick,
will the word play physician? If yon are
struggling with all the energy that Is III
your soul to scale some starry height of
purity and of nobility will the world lend
you hand? When your path enters the
valley of the shadow will the world walk
beside You on that lonely aud mysterious
way? When yonr stay here is ended VIII
the world spend one thought upon you,
keep flowers growing on your grave or tear
the lichcns from your tombstone? There
is one who loves you, one who. whenever
You Sip. has an arm of love ready to catch
YOU when YOU fall has messages OF hope
ready to whisper in your car. He will
whiten your soul. He will grid your weak
ness. He will school your ignorance. lie
will share your sorrow. He will companion
You as YOU cross the frontiers of time lle
will introduce you into an unClouded
eternity beyond. Why care very much for
the opinion of the world in which we are
but fraction now. and in which to-mor'
row we will be a cipher? Why not very
kcenly care for one whose love cnvelops
our being as with an atmosphere?
Turn the page and read the later story ct
apostolic loyalty The sequel is different
from the preface. Cal the roll oi that
glorious company OF the apostles and hear
every compass point ring with fidelity ia
Jesus. Read how they sowed the earth
with martyr blood from Abysslna to In
dia. Begin the chronicle with that tradi'
ton OF Simon Peter, who was led out to
death in the Roman Rmphithcatrc while
his wife was crowned with martyrdom
before his eyes, to shake il possible the
while she suffered he called her by namo
and addressed her in terms Of most endear.
ing affection and eXhortcd her to remcm.
Der the love of the blessed Lord and to hc
firm until the very end. His turn camo
E"Xt. He had but single favor to ask
from God as he stood there in The Old
Roman circus face to face with death, and
that WAS that he might remain firm for
one more hour. lie had but single favor
Il hat ~ hp
might he crucihed 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 charots OF fire. They sc1icd
their allc. lance to Him with their blood,
Since the night OF panic they had come to
SEC Jesus under new aspect. They had
known Him as a friend. lie had a place
lie had seat at tE,r ilrcSldcs and a
share in their plans. They had strollcd
together NJ and down the field paths.
They had paced side by side through the
city streets. lie had colorcd their sym.
pathieS. nodded their character. enriched
their lives; but the bond OF friendship
broke in the hour of trial. They had
lnown Him as a 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 | lis
wisdom did not keep them true on the
night of His betrayal. They had seen Him
rs a miracle worker. They had heh"d
the storm scep like Guild at His com.
mand. They had witnessed lcprcsy con,
vertcd into purity at His touch. They had
seen the winter Of the scpulcher boon!
into the spring when HIS sandals touched
the Intel of the tomb but the power OF
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 felt the touch Of love
that death could NOT qucnch. They ha.l
been beneath the arms of the cross out.
stretched to shelter them, They had caught
the accents OF His parting prayer, Father,
forgive They had heard His triumph
shout, 1T is finished" As their Re.
dccmer Jesus rivcted them to Himself with
hooks of steel,
In this day OF iorrc worship it is timely
to upiift Christ as the vitaIlhing energy OF
humanity 1t Is pertinent to emphasize
the dcathlcss power that resides IN Chris.
tiantv. 1t is interesting to watch It soar.
ing like n phoenix from the ashes of ,jcru
salem, smiling like mailed giant the forces
OF the Grnccp.Roman civilization. sweeping
he whitc-winged angel of mercy beyond
the Alps and the Rhine, and scattering
glorious bcnCdctIons unou Scandinavian.
Celt and Saxon, to watch 1t as it carries
the same hencfcent potencles to the dark
continents and hermit nations Of our own
time and blessing with It's cXhauStIeSi
bounty attic and cellar, avenue and alley
and parior and srhoolroom and market
place Of latter day civilization. In this hour
of culture craze it is timely to mark the
unique wisdom OF the Christ and to note
that through all the ages a train Of gifted
minds has brought the treasures OF their
life and laid them at the feet of II i'm who
was Graded III the Bethlehem manGer; to
observe the masters of human thought
bowling with wondering homage before tho
sweet and the clarity OF thrlst'S Insight;
to remark how the boldest OF the skeptlCs
become dcfcrcntia and unsandal when
they pass within the charmed circle OF this
singular personality. But when | see one
who dwcit in the light OF the face OF God
Fastening down into the shadows and mis-
cries OF this stricken Garth; when ! behold
Him stripping Himself of those robes Of
divine ma csty which He wore before the
word began aud appareling Himself with
that sad -hUcd Nesturc which we mortaiS
wear, stained with woe aud broidcrCd with
tears; when | behold Him who was the
centre of angelic alteration, in pathetic
loneliness, becoming a target for the Scorn
Of the world, dcspiscI and rejected of all
m.n. srurncd by bgots in the tribunal Of
Ills people and bufIcted by brutes in the
guardroom of the Roman; when | mark
The bolt Of doom that was whisthng 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, il
ever, the elemental depths of being are
stirred and a loyalty of affection is enkn-
died that knows no swervlng.
A woman is never so lonely as when she