The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1905-06-22
THE QUARTERLY REVIEW

culiar charm. After it, contents have
been apparently exhausted, each is
sure to emit an unexpected ray. They
are SO placed with reference to each
other that each enhances the other.
The TWO parallels, The Good
/ Shepherd and The Vine and the
Branches" illustrate Jesus method
of teaching.
I lie spake Of lilies, vines. and corn,
The sparrow, and the raven,
And words so natural ; wise
We're on mems hearts eIgraveu.
And yeast ana bread aud fax ana cloth
And eggs and fish and candles.
See how the whole familiar world
He most Diyiuely handles,
In His parable OF the Good Shep-
herd (Lesson u, Jesus held the mirror
before the hierarchy of His day with
a fearless hand. He showed it mer-
cenary spirit. 1t worked havoc in
the highest interests ofmen. Its kill
ed in the realm of ~pirii IA valu es
On this dark background Jesus pro
jected the ideal OF the true shepherd.
He enters upon His function in the
appointed way. His life is spent in
care of the flock. He caileth, leadeth,
putteth forth, goes before.
The Vine (Lesson Vi was one of
most familiar and beautiful OF natur-
al obiects-the king OF fruits in Pales-
/ tine, source of wealth. iov and strength
to the people. In every respect it
was worthy of the dignitied and EN-
blematic use Jesus made Of it. In the
/ aliegorY Jesus asserts His ldndamen-
tai relation to Humanity He is
source Of spiritual Life and fruitful
ness. Abiding ia the stock Jesus
and pruned by the hpsbeulmau lthe
/ Father, the branches (the disciples)
live and bear fruit Apart from the
stock the branches they wither.
Figurative language cou}d not be
used more skilIfully.
Jesus parallels ara miracles in
word. His miracles are parallels in
deed. The miracle of the raising Of
Lazarus (Les,on IL is the parable
which teaches that the resurrection
and immortal life are not far of alb
stractions, but that they are concret-
ed in an immanent Christ. Those
who are joined to Him whether dead
or living (as we Use the words live (in
the higher meaning which Jesus has
put into the world. The dead have
not lost, the living can not lose this
immortal life. He that hath the Son
hath life.
Jesus acted out still another para
bic when He washed His disciples
feet (Lesson ". 1t was to rebuke the
unseemly scramble for place in which
His disciples engaged at the last sup
per, that Jesus performed the most
mental task of the scullery drudge
He put an end to caste, place, and
precedence. Henceforth His disciples
must cherish such a feeling towards
one another as would make them
willing to perform the most lowly
service for each other.
a social occasion and a great popu-
lar ovation next arrest our attention.
The supper at Bethany Uesson I'D
was high and loving courtesy shown
to Jesus. One significant and timely
deed lifted this feast to the level of
sacrament. Mary brought out of her
boudoir an Oriental cruise OF alabaster
filled with liquid perfume and poured
it upon Jesus head and feet. Mary
gave Jesus a mOmentary embalming;
He embalmed her forever in the in
cense of His praise. The popular oya-
ton was on His entry into Jerusalem.
(Lesson lN.) 1t was not mere pass
ing incident-an accident of His APP
proach to the city. Jesus planned
this entry, designed 10 make it effec-
tive. He was not captured by the
multitude; He captured it and used it
for His purpose. The orderly pre-
cision of all His movements indicates
this. He topenly came to His own.
The issue was pressed. They must
accept or reject. The test was made
in no dark concentrating could
have been more conspicuous.
Jesus puts period to His ministry
with prayer Nesson VID, common
ly called the high priestly PRAYER
The high priest of the old dispense
ton carried the twelve tribes upon
his bosom before the Lord in the
twelve precious stones which formed
his breastplate. The high priest of
the new dispensation carried the
twelve apostles upon His bosom.
Jesus stands with the little group of
men to whom he had made the great
est possible revelation, and whom He
expects in their turn to be reyealers
OF His truth. He must needs leave
them. If they fall, all is lost. He
cries to heaven for them, that they
may be kept and sanctifed and
their unity preserved.
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