The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-05-07

:
had become ofgJesus, without any plan
to preserve or spread abroad His nainei
open to aiiy impulse OF influence: unable
to resist the smell Of the fishing boat
and the fresh evening breeze; they were
content apparently to- fall back Into their
old ways and obscure village life, as II
the last three years were but a dream
or like a voyage to sotpa foreign shore
which they might recall IN memory, but
could never repeat.
And yet all the facts they were to use
for the conversion OF tho world were
already in their possession The death
OF Christ and His resurrection were mot
a fortnight old but they had no impulse
to proclaim these truths. They were not
yet indeed with power from on high.
one thing only seemed to be decided,
and on that they were agrecd--they must
live, and therefore they Ego a-flshing."
But they wero destined to find this not
so easy rs they expected. There was
One Watching them and that oat;'follow-
Ing 1t all the night long as they tried
place after place. They did not have any
success or satisfaction In the old calling.
for It had now passed away forever.
All night they tried, hut naa.ilt lotn-
Ing. Every device was tiled bu. In vain.
Eaoh time the net was di awli They knew
before 1t appeared that II was I'm, IS:
Weary and detected with their irui.!ess
toll in the early morning hours they
made for n secluded spot, perhaps, not
wishing that others should witna,i their
failure.
But when they nenred the shove there.
In tho twilight-dawn, stanus q figure,
and friendly voice halls them With tho
words .'Childrcn," tor,sas We would say,
"Iads,') have 20 any meat ~
h The rowers at once turn 10 see wno ~
calling them, and at the same time an
swer Ills question in the negative
The Stranger then commands East
the net on tho right side Of tho sllii,
anu We shall find" They do SO, not
expecting any miracle, but supposlng tina:
81 He gave them such eXprcss lnstruc.
tons, He must have known tho fish were
there. So when they found that the not
was filled. so that they could not draw
1t into the boat. John looks as.:in aDo
moro narrowly ut this Stranger aid
Whispers to Peter. 1T is the Lord
This is the miracle which mas aga:i
and again restored the dropping faith
and cheered the discouraged followers Ct
Christ, when, every human effort seems
to fail. Again-again hope IS dtsabpolr.-
ed and their labor seems in vain. Now
opportunities are seized as they arise
but with no result. The patient dogsca-
ness Of the fisherman Is reproduced in
the persevering efforts Of parental love-
or friendly anxiety for the sod Of
others But sometimes the, utmost pa
tience is exhausted ! all efforts fail, and
deep disappointment settles on the heurt.
& Yet this is the very hour the LORD
often chooses to bestow the long hoped
for result, and then the whole weary
night OF toll is amply repaid. It Is
then that We must recognize Who it IS
that directs US and gives the desired
blessing. d VIVA
weeping nlayIendnre for a. night, but
JOY comes IL Christ 50 wills. in the
morning.. For to tIIimail powet is
given In. heaven and on earth--powe to
give us what we have been trying to
win or power to give US peace and happt
ness without It.
May ours be the faith to fish WITH
John 5"It is the Lord" Whether It be
in the dark and weary night. or in the
dim light OF the shadowy dawn-w'itii
childish love and obedience, to await Els
commands! Il
====E=---==
Richmond is In fair way Of extending
her borders on a compromise between
the plan first, suggested and the amend
ment thereto. We hope she may get
her desires and rival in greatness the
far-famed city Of seven Frederick
burg Free Lance.
Thank you foE the wish We believe
there are enough progressive nlcngin the
Council and Board Of Aldermen to
adopt, the plan which the committee will
propose.
! Sy5 4===-=--==-==
| The funeral Of the late, General Tttz-
hugh Lee was d great occasion. and It
| is only justice to say that Richmond
was fully equal to it-Petersburg Index
| Appeal. 535 s;.
When 1t comes to doing honor to a
Confederate hero. Richmond never falters
/ ==-=E--s-1-===s 81 s. y
Senator Drescher, who cast the deciding
vote for the Niagara grab" bill IN thu
New York Legislature Is from Represen-
tatlve Bakers home town. Let these
1.-TWO enlightened statesmen get together
and exchange ideas on the burning ca
| .,,t+,, ~ lin o1Irht So it47 ~ s a&