The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-04-08

4 iSt INTRO DIJCIJION--A9ter the wonder
9ul DISCOURSE in Capernaum, Jesus Christ
Eught to retire from public gaze. He was
followed by a. smaller company than usual,
4 many having forsaken Him because Of re-
8gcent teachings, (Lohn VI; 66.) omit
TO the region Of Tyre and sidon, where
l1e cast demon out Of the daughter OF
tile Syropheneoian.s That miracle drew
such crowd that He left the country.
came with the twelve to Dccapoiis. q pro-
vince Inhabited mostly by Gen tiles, lying
east Of the sea Of Gahee' Here lie fnrea
and with seven loaves. Thence He cross
ed the lake at Dalmanutha. where he was
met by enemies, who demanded q sign.
sada, where He restored sight to a blind
man. Journeying thence northward, still
seeking. seclusion. Jesus came to Caesarea
II Phiippi. at the base of Mount Hermon,
his ministry.
Y PUBLIC OPINION.-In this quiet spot,
10 miles distant from 5erusaem Jesns
4 first Inquired. Whom do men say that
tire ministry Hc had sought to make
ods for the purpose Now He would
learn the result Of His effort, or. rather,
as Ills knowledge on the subject, was
not limited 1%hn ii % lie deSi hsS Ills
v
heard. His motive will presently appear.
Tl,ey replied that some took Him for
/. John the Baptist some for Elias, some
cts, each Judging by various character
5istlca Unsurpassed resemblance. Here was
the doctrine OF transmigration Of souls.
not taught in scrptgre. but by Greek
MARK vi: 1sl gave currency to these
opinions, which showed what little profit
the. multitudes had received from
HoNBsT FAiTH.-This answer gave
Jesus opportunity to ask the apostles for
their opinion. This was very delicate bust
ness. A free expression from, associates
was NECESSARY. Jesus was educating
Twelve men to carry on His work. Were
Eestng zSayY Pa hsy know who
q statement. This was doubtless the OBJ
1ecdve point when He enquired after
public opinion. Peter spoke. He was not
g monthpiece in Il this case for the Others,
belief. It was in two parts. Thou art the
Christ" the Messiah. the one promised In
the Old Testament, expected by the lew.
the supreme hope Of the nation ,G lef (John
=: Rl, Thou art the son of tho living
500, was his next statement-tha only
begotten son Of Divine being, The. first
forth Mis- messiahship, John w.: 20; Luke
w.: "a But the second part was long
stride into the realms of truth The angel
had declared 1t II Mary (L,lkei: 81. but
she had evidently forgotten The Bap-
fist had believed 1t (John j.: 3D Satan as
sumes it IN the wilderness (Mathew ":
y, and the devils declared It (AIathcw xiv.
"o). but now in a calm hour, the two
great Items are put together. Messiahship
BLEssED sIMoN.-This was an i'm.
portant event, n grand achievement IN
APOSTOLIC education. Jesus approved the
words thereby admitting them to be true,
and then. turning to the apostle. He said
BLESSED art thou, Simon,' not merely
HAPPY, or fortunate. but vastly more he
was the recipient Of n blessing some
thing had been bestowed upon him. Jesus
explains. The confession was not the re-
suit of Peters superior instinct, but God
mad revealed this truth to him. Peter had
received light or help from above. which
had made il possible for him to know
whom Jesus WAS q Cor. Kill: -, That is
really the meaning Of all blessings in
Scripture spiritual qnickcning. II Is n
great day when God comes to n man aud
gives him q clearer vision, In Eastern
countries It WAS customary 10 mark great
occasions in mems lives by giving Them
llcw names, And SO, Jesus SAYS. Thou
Rrt Peter his originai name being Simon.
3tJebni, Al thus Jesus fulfilled his words
spoken at The frs, meeting with simon.
5(John t.: 40 Wliat MAS then predicted
MAS now bess owed
Il LARGER PRQSPECT.e-A clearer view
or Christ begins new era, Jesus. there
fore. proceeds 10 speak concerning what