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


that at the close Of the discourse studied
JOHN xlV:s2I. but that somethlng caused
te tsrry to sp6e a r ala bass su out
that He entered the valley of the kedron,y
in the vicinity OF Gethsen1ane. where yine-
yards abound, and tint the remnsHsh ~ ,1o
surroundings. Both views arc purely con-
jectural ihe great thought q the pas pas,
sags s sh he y'd IS enough
follow Him as an example, TO accept t tor,
ayspe e ued PMf1ast Msn
Ing tl,eirilife from Him and hearing fruit
for Him. The vine and Its branches form
a perpetual parable illustrating the true
Pr PRUiN1NG.--Jesus introduces Himself
as the true vine (verse y, not like that
%d y,as 81 whsh fh0i Kings Wao 1885,
intimation THAT churches had sprung up
and others would arise unworthy Of + the {.
name because not OF HIM. snt me 1esi fain nfo
I'll III t Eefa rs 59e oned g Hin Mn9 V @
G5s fna f 80 ns Is fo T ~
ought 70 Characterize such union. they
m ne v G H oppng a tSe ne
essentialito the welfare Of the vine and is
fe OF t RoSs HoM ns
their names on It's records, who are not
5rghtfula members. having been .re)ecteo
PGRG1NGG.-The unnfrutful branches
having been removed by !, e x, IN the
great Husbandman, the infinite rnssa sath ths
What is here called purglng includes all
aoss asts ae w wofa
otaimpurittes or hndrances-notions, pas
sions, }humors that belong to the old life,
e Il be ne@ te ora Th Il 3 the
one 10 see the folly Of carnai propensities,
partly byhe I'm neSbnF q dvna SSt
Verse 81. Jesus expressly, declared that q
the disciples were t. Be Geamsea ~
xSi Xiii J, Which aoertine Paul .understood
(E5Rh,.y'@ e END !, Peter taught q Peter Peter
l x R1D1S Ne; After, speaking Of the fruit
FIJI ia and Tie unfrultfal and the treatment
! Of each, It was natural that Jesus should
secret Of both STATES asa
oSy 5ra y H. b Sne front trs
Severed from the vine, the branch cannot
fruit 60 sS With ynas men sy thes
OF His life they bring forth whatever ex:
and conduct. Il lis Christ inthem. work
e aS IN 2ca Bat Without cSrs
men can do,5inothing, and be nothing:
Hence the supreme duty and interest put
cept, abide in, Me-" Hold fast by faith
s e M!% VIZ 39obs Is a once our life and
exalted privilege Of one who abides IN
Christine privilege Of prevailing prayer
(verse D. Ii Is a large promise tnat IS
here. made, @..Ye shall ask what ". viii,
sight that Seems to be unwarranted, Why
should a finite being be allowed such lib
erty with theinhnlte One might suppose
Of mind would submit al things to the
infinite wi tholt asking other than that the
infinite will might be supreme MAT
yi:1G. To remove this apparent diinculty
are namedItle petitioner must abide In
Christ and the words OF Christ must abide
IN him. Those words VIII give wisdom
regulate desires enk1ldlSS love- hegst shn
otherwise might lead to improper re-.
quests Any man Is prepared to pray
when, Joined TO Christ, he traces, follows
out, and hurmon!zes with the Divine
GG or: f,rst word Of the
eighth verse iherein''is kind of pivot
around which several matters revolye:
The abiding An Christ, the asking and
are ali included BY that word God IS
glorined by these states In those who be-
| long to Christ, But how glorlflcd? Moth
| Ing can be added to- Him or taken from
| Him. He is the same forever. And yet
He is not known by his Intelligent Great
| ures except as no 10 manifested In his
| works--in the material universe I'sa,
xix:D In the person Of Jesus (John 1879
and In tho lives OF His people (1att. v:l6).
Here our Lord emphasizes the last point.
He desired the disciples to know that they,
| by tho excellence that should como forth
through their union with Him. would
mako men understand something of the
| glory Of God. Moreover this would be
the proof Of their !dlso!pleship and the
end sought In It, That which Jesus de-.
sires Is to produce a. class of God-like men,,
witnesses for God In world Of sinners
| (phil. i:lD superior TO all other mon
| (Acts i:S),
| LOvlNG-The union above mentioned,
| being inward and moral, unfolds neces-
| sarily into communion, tho principle Of
Which is love. 10 this Jesus next directs
attention (yerses and 10y. Mark here the
I continuity OF love--the Father toward the
| Son. the Son toward the disciples. Flow.
Ing from the bosom Of the eternal. enter
uAnu runuDcnN,c ulDnV b