The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-09
The International Sunday
School Lesson.
Copyright 1906. by the International
Religious Literature Bureau. Incor-
porated. The Rev. Davis W. Clark,
D. D., Editor.
FIRST QUARTER. LESSON VI.
Luke SILL. February Ii. 1905.
Iesus Calling Fishermen

There was no need to ring bell to
secure Jesus an audience. People flow
to Him like hlings to magnet. In this
instance 1t Is said the people pressed. ON
Him to hear. The little company who
first discovered Him on His early morn
ing walk by the lake, quickly grew to a
great concourse. The Masters fertility
in expendients had another illustration
It only took Him moment to convert
a boat into pulpit. The scene makes a
theme for an artist. The lake beneath,
the sky above. the nine considerable cities
on the hill slopes, looking down Ike dis
tant observers; the mixed multitude
crowding to the edge of the shore, their
faces mirrored in the water at their feet,
and In the fshernan's boat, screened by
tho loosencd sail, the prince of all
preachers speaking from the bosom of
tho placid lake. itself an emblem of the
peace He could give. - But the
sermon was only an accident.
His real GRAND that morning was to
call His Apostles. He had already given
them what might be called preliminary
or probationary calls. From these the
disciples were afterwrds dismissed to at
tend to their worldly affairs. and while
doing so. In their old and familiar en-
vironments and free from excitement of
novel situations TO think on what they
progressive. But this one was final
Jesus had had an open rupture with the
ecclesiastical establishment. He must
needs now organize His followers. He
knew where His pledged men were and
came to enlist them for active service
He prefaced the call by thrilling
pictorial miracle. Nothing could have
more significantly taught them what they
were to be and do. The command.
Launch forth into the deep. and let down
your net for n draught.'' was a surprise.
But hesitation, If there was any was
momentary. Peter quickly laid all his
flee TO his faith. That last
catch after the old order was a symbol
OF the future occupation.
The size of the take. was a pledge of
future success in the new calling. That
miracle took Peter and his comrades
where they were. in their natural environ
ment and everyday employment It was
all the more significant to them. the bet
Ter understood and appreciated
The constituencies OF Jesus In thu;
encouraging His disciples is Characteristic
and worthy OF note. He was asking
these men to join their fortunes with
Him. an accommodated man; to sur
der ties OF tribe and family. to abandon
ti- why liNeitiS Va HNciiHpOu tHcy WeIs
familiar with Again. they were called
not merely to be learners. like the fol-
lowers of the average rabbits; not to be
recipients. but doors. They were Il.
launch cut and let down their net into
the sea OF human life. They were Ito
translate It literally to take men alive:
to persuade and make converts
that. too. under the very shadow of a
great and hostile ecclesiastical establish
ment. If ever men needed to
be heartened, it was the four men Jesus
called that day II ever men had imme-
dlate and divine encouragement. 1t was IN
this instance. That miracle put gimp in
their backs. The moment they could get
their ships ashore they forsook all and
followed Him.
The Teachers Lantern.
1t is helpful to recall Jesus's previous
dealings with these men During
Jesus's forty days in the wilderness, His
Messianic character and work fully dawn
cd upon Him. There He evolved His plans
and the principles OF procedure to which
He adhered to the very close of His ca
reer. 80 - He came hack to the vast
concourse still attending the ministry of
John the Baptist at the fords of the Jor-
dan as to a human quarry from which
he conld select living stones as the soun-
to rear. Nor was He disappointed. He
found five out of the twelve. -" When
John saw Him. he gave Him n joyous
welcome. No shade Of jealousy crossed
his noble heart. He uneauivocally cast
the full weight of his phenomenal In
fluence upon the side of the new
teacher crying. Behold the Lantb of
God.'' - on the morrow as Jesus
reappeared. John repeated his significant
exclamation with even increased en-
phasis. It was as if he had said. Who
ever wishes to leave me now and follow
this greater Teacher is at full liberty
to do so.''
Two of the choicest spirits among HIS
converts, John and Andrew, take the hint
and separate themselves forever from the
rugged Baptist to follow the lowly Jesus.
The Nazarene hears their footsteps and.
turning. ENCOURAGES them with look and
word. They are drawn to him, as iron 70
the magnet. Under the freshtcut boughs
Of a pilgrim BOOTH or in the cool depths
of some Rrotto. they sit at His feet ana
learn of Him their hearts burning within
them as FIe unfolds to them the principles
OF His kingdom. Then and there Vas
love which made John evermore HIS
bosom companion.