The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1904-04-21

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and determined effort to announce
His Messiahship to the whole nation.
Evidence is not wanting that He had
a welldefined plan of operation and
that the thoroughly Orientaland conse-
quently spectacular 'triumphal en-
trance to Jerusalem was the denoue-
ment of the whole. In this plan the
mission of the seventy is an important
feature. There is an undoubted
significance in the number. As Jesus
had the twelve patriarchs in mind
when He appointed the apostles, He
had the seventy elders of Israel in
view when He appointed these evan
gelists. 1t is also an old tradition
(see Genesis X chat the number of the
nation was seventy as the number of
metallic substances is also supposed
to be. The time of this circumstance
was also the Feast of Tabernacles, at
which seventy bullocks were offered.
Asthe Talmud SAYS, these were seventy
bullOcks to correspond with the seven
ty nations of the world. Some troub
lie, however, it must be admitted, has
arisen from regarding the seventy as
a fixed number, and as a constantly
active circle, besides the twelve and
exclusive of them. As st. Luke is the
only one who tells of the appoint
ment of the seventy, it has been in
ferred that he himself was one of the
number. 1t is gratifying to know that
Jesus had so large a number of men
attached to His cause who were com
petent for such a commission. 1t is a
gauge Of growth in the kingdom.
Although this special heralding of
the Messiah was somewhat formal,
Jesus undoubtedly earnestly desired
that the people would be moved to
accept Him. 1t has been said that
the seventy were a net of love thrown
out into Isra ell. The special sphere
of their operation was the trans-Jor-
danic district, which had hitherto
been comparatively neglected. Brief
time remained for its evangehzation
before the close of His career. 1t was
no mere experimental mission. 1t
was really called for, and Jesus de-
ployed.His little force by consummate,
strategic skill, and the sterling quail
ity of these evangelists is shown by
their success.
1t has been said that the seventy
are a remarkable luminary in the
public life of Jesus, whose brilliancy,
however, endured only brief time.
There is 10 subsequet trace of them.
After the accomplishment of their
charge they were absorbed into the
large company and their term of ser
vice was so brief that their names
were soon forgotten. The orders I'M
der which these pioneers were sent
are ideal instructions for Christian
scouting-partes to-day. At the same
time they are very mirror of Jesus
heart. He sees the human mass as a
harvest heavy for the sickle, but in
sufficiently supplied with harvesters.
He yearns to have the deficiency
made up, but He will have none 60
who are not forewarned of the hostile
forces theyIwill certainly find arrayed
against them. His startling analogy
is "lambs among wolves Paradox
calinstructions fellow. Emptiness is
their. No purse, or knapsack, or
shoes. Thew must not be overloaded.
Punctilious courtesies are to be omit
ted. Oriental salutations are time
consumers. But in this caution Jesus
puts no premium on rude moroseness.
He was Himself the soul OF courtesy.
These messengers are not to follow
the custom of rotating as a guest
among the causes open for entertain
ment. That would mean time lost in
making new acquaintapces. They are
to be thankful for plain food. at i'll
becomes Christ's disciples to be de-
sirous of dainties" They are neither
to fast with Pharisees nor feast with
epicureans. The reference is to the
traditions about meats which made
one critical is what was set before him.
Jesus says, Eat; don't question:" A
home once entered is to be blessed
with the benedicuion, Peace If
there is a single member of the fami-
ly open to it the kingdom of heaven
with it's peace and joy will enter his
heart. 1t is aquestion of receptivity
For such individuals and commune
ties the kingdom is imminent, the
kingdom whose essential is not sacri
flee and oblat ion (meat and drink
but righteousness, peace, and joy
Alas. for the cities which reject these
messengers. In places where there il
no welcome there is to be a warming
Wiping off the dust is truly Oriental
A sign in always preferred to word
/ Tyre and Sidon were synonyms of de
pravity They were the cities where
prodigal sons went to spend theil
patrimony in riotous living.