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

had thus far been a secret in His own
breast He outlines the church. an insti-
tuition Of the future, under FIVE heads-ts
author. Ats progress. its foundation. its
success, Its government. The church
would be His In double sense lie would
not only claim it as His possession, but
be built. increasing from the beginning,
that increase by the power OF Christ.
(Acts. IL. 40 The foundation or begin
ming would be n rock. something stable
have disputed concerning the rock. Some
think 1t was Peter. his name meaning
rock; others g, think It was Peters con-
eide. (Ephesians. Il: 20) The foundation
was the company there gathered, Christ
and Ellis apostles, Peters confession their
creed The success Of the church vas Us
has been understood by some to mean the
secret counsels OF evil, by others the di-
viding line between this world and the
next. The government. committed then
to Peter. was afterwards given to the
whole company Of the apostles. Mat
thew; xviii: 1Sl Under the guidance Of
xvi: 49,. Jesus Intended that these twelve
men should set forth the principles by
which tho church should be governed.
These prnapes are N the NeW Tes sta
generations. (Revelations. xii: 49, 49,
Christ provided for no successors TO the
apostles.
DNJ o1NED stLENcE.--Now comes a
new wonder. Jesus forbids lis apostles
TO tell the world that lie is the Christ.
A strange Introduction! When men took
Him for an old prophet. risen from tho
dead: when He had diligently sought to
make tho people understand Hin; when
q correct knowledge OF Him was the one
essential TO- the success OF His cause.
why not not allow. even enjoin, these men
why be silent? Because He desired that
men should judge of Him by His words
ana works, He even {. demanded the Bapp-
duke. vi: 2s9 which was the most
ready to proclaim the nature and office
ct Christ Isl ~ There !, was 49,, another truth
Bile Verse ~. but which they must re-
ceive. and there was another blessing,
larger than Simon's. which must be be.
slowed: then they might and they would
speak with bOldness what now must be
kept. 4a
& FORETOLD SUFFERING. Then began
Jesus to tell what must befall Himself
go to Jerusalem, suffer many things. be
ton: future events We're seen and de-
scribed. showing Him to be more than
human. He began at a favorable time
to trodufe ee auI]ee. ana he
thew. xvii: 1929; Xxx: 17-lO, 5until it all
came true. showing that II was mater mai le
OF Importance, one tnaL Il tneN apostieS
ought TO have In mind. Strange subject,
indeed, coming after Ills expressed pur-
pose to build a church! Dead men do not
build societies. How was this utterance
calculated to negative tho former? Yes,
but the emphatic word In Chlist's sen-
tence was must There was n necessity
for His suffering and death. 1t was part
OF the plan of His life. 1t had been fore
told centuries before. Qsainh, HE: 81
His death, followed by a resurrection
was TO provide the means and the method
Of accomplishing His designs. What
would seem to be defeat was the way
TO victory. Jesus did not explain the
necessity, The apostles were not able TO
understand. But they did understand
aftcrwnrd.
DOUBLE REBuKE. --This last in,clli-
scnce let in light. but it was bewilder-
ing, no wonder that Peter, blessed ST.
mon. should think that such a destiny
was inconsistent with the nature Office
and mission of Jesus. BE II far from
Thee" he cried, The King Of the Jews,
30 long desired, the Son Of God put to
DEATH lreposterous! The strength of
ones faith in one doctrine measures the
yehemence with which Il seemingly oppo-
site doctrine Ia condemned. The trouble
was that Peter had obtained only part
Of the truth. And so lie in turn Vas re-
buked. Jesus Informed him that upon
this subject he was speaking from u
purely human or earthly standpoint, not
from divine conception and illumination.
as he had done before. Now we see that