The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1907-05-30
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CHRIST GAINS VOYAGE OF LIFE.

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And they that were in the boat w0r-
SHIPPED Him.-Matt. xiv. &c.
1t was on board a yacht at sea that
Jesus was first worshiped as a divine
being, and the worshipers on this occa-
sion were seafaring men.
He was fond of the sea and of boats
and of the men who ''go down to the
sea in ships" In fact, it appears pos
sible that His trade was that of boat
carpenter instead of house carpenter.
and doubtless He. had a thorough
kno~ledge of sailing craft, sailing and
sailor men; and we know that He
preached and taught from the decks
afioat.
Now Jesus is still going to sea-cruis-
ing and voyaging with us who go seek
Ing pleasure, or duty, or business in
''great waters" But we, like these dis
eiples Of old, are prone to leave Him
behind when we sail.
Jonah was not the first nor the last
man who went out to sea to escape the
presence of the Lord and to get away
from duty and opportunity. 1t is
very common mistake, and most of us
have made it at some time in our lives
and may be about to fall into the same
error again this season.
In this story of the sea and sea-
going men the first important fact we
come upon is that of their recognition
of Jesus in this new situation-new
only to them. To these disciples it was
a discovery. Though gold is gold and
its precious threads extend throughout
the surface of the earth, yet each new
outcropping when found is called a dis
covery by the prospector. So truth has
to be recognized over and over again
In different situations, and new out
groupings and the infinite character
and face of God must be discovered
over and over again in every age, in
every life and in all the changing
scenes and situations of history.
The sea has aspects all its own, and
life afoat is unique and set with pc
culiar features and surrounded with an
atmosphere of romance and unreallty
which tends to mislead us and TO dis
tort our views of things. of people ard
selves But, in fact, in all essential fea-
lures and phases ife and things and
people are identical with those ashore !:
and so is our dear Lord the same in
ali places and situations. so that He fits
the sea and ships as perfectly and help
fully and blessedly as He does the home
and church ashore and is Master of the
great Deep as of all situations.
What a picture of our life voyage Is
this scene on the Sea of Galilee. Sep
aration from our Lord; darkness, con-
trary winds and whelming seas Of
heart storms and brain tempests and
oe crowding affairs; the spirit of adj
venture. ever prone to take risks. sail
ing close to the wind and rushing into
temptation and danger, doubling ''ifs"
thrust before our finest opportunities,
and superstitious alarms and ground
less terrors at new manifestations and
the Divine presence.
1t was not till their terror was al
layed that they came about and suffer
ed Him to approach their craft. In
Johns account we learn that 1t was
not till after He had made himself
known and said to them, cit is I, be
not afraid" that they were willing to
receive Him into the boat.
This was the second important fact
accomplished when they received Him
abroad, but the greatest thing that
happened there that night was this :
They that were in the boat worshiped
Him, saying: "0f truth thou art the
Son Of God" Haste to get Him on
board, o seafarer, and serve and wor-
ship Him on deck as cordially and 10y
ally as at home or church ashore. He
brings happiness with Him. Hear His
call, "Be of good cheer. it is II