The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-02-25

ICopyrght. 1897, by American Press Association.
Whether we read In the law. the
prophets or the Psalms or the New
Testament. we see God revealing Him
self In Christ and working His mighty
works and speaking His wonder
full words which we are TO lay to
heart and declare TO al: people, For
these things people hunger even as
wheE the multitude followed Jesus
In the time OF our lesson. and though
His precious truths may be set forth
BY very weak and unworthy in
struments. He so honors His own
word that the hungering ones are
blessed and made blessing. This
see from year TO year in all the classes
and have seen just the same In Japan.
China. India. South Africa and many
ports OF our own land. and ] cannot
but believe firmly that our Lord Is
still saying TO His redeemed every
where concerning the mutitudes who
have no bread OF life. Give Sc them
10 eat" aud when we are tempted to
consider how little we have 70 do II
with He says concerning what seems
10 be our wherewithal Of time or
strength or money. Bring them hither
TO Ne" Matt xiv. l6 49,. II should
never be a question Of what we have
or what we can do. but only and al
ways who Is lie and what can He
do Our part Is TO yield aud let Hin
work. TO trust and obey. our hearts
ever saying Thine l. the kingdom. o.
Lord. - and In Thine hand IL pow
er and might" There Is nothing too
hard for Thee" Il Chron. xxx. II. u;
Jer. xxxii. Ia. The multitudes fol-
lowed because they saw tverse =. and
those without must have something
which they can see: hence the neces-
slty Of good works profitable. to men
Tit III. 81. For believers the good
word is Blessed are they that have
not seen. yet have believed John II.
29D.
At the time Of our lesson John the
Baptist had been killed. his disciples
had buried his body. the apostles had
told Jesus all that they had done and
taught. and because they had no
leisure so much as 10 eat Jesus had
said. Gene apart 10 ! desert place and
rest awhile Mark vi. 29-3D. Instead
81 rest they found multitude. many
OF whom were perhaps on their way
to the Passover at Jerusalem. and Jesus
received them and spake unto them oil
the Kingdom Of God and healed their
sick Luke H. 10. II: John vi. u, II
we saw the kingdom as Jesus saw IT
and s:lll sees It--as set forth In rs
xxi. lisa. XIV and elsewhere. we
would hP more zaaIous TO hasten II
and therefore less apt 10 say. Send
then away" and nsore ready 10 give
them 10 eat" at any cost.
From the beginning Jesus always
knew Just what lie would do and
when ard how be would do Il. and
when we have learned To- dwell with
Him for Ills work We cease To ask
when and how. but just watch the
way. aad watch 10 see what He will
say and hold ourselves ready 10 obey
Ills every word and To do ~ occasion
serve u.s.
WhrI we lind ourselves face to face
with a difficulty we should rrmemller
that 81 Il that lie may show Ills pow.
er and glorify Ills same. aud then We
would not prc~IF1e % make suGges
tons ~ Philip and Andrew did with
their :,C1 pence 10 bay sut..rIent bread
10 give every one little aud the few
leaves and fishes nu' worth mention.
iug they remind us ~ IN" mountain
and the small things ~ Zrrh " :. ~
aad a'ao IL. tie Walled cI'i,.< and giants
which terrified lsg""t aud the little
city Of A. which they feared not but
which proved too much for them
When there were no further sugges
tons from the Disciples. then Jesus
quietly aud orderly did what lie 10
tended aad always knew that Hc
would. aud. having received what the
lad had and Inoked 20 heaven for
the Fathers blessing. lie allows the
disciples to bear TO the multitude who
were seated In companies on the grass
sufficient 10 Oh them all and leave
twelve basketfuls over. Thus lie
manifested our InsufFlciency and Ills
all sufiiciency-the great lesson We arc
20 slow 10 learn. lie might work with.
out Us. but fIe graciousiy sees fit "a
use Us when We are willing. This
particular miracle depended upon the
lads surrender Of all that be had
even that which he seemed really "a
nced-and who can tell what nights
things lie will work In our individual
lives when we are az fully surrendered
20 Him as the lads Ioaves and fishes
Let rs note agaln-and with prayer
fuI consIderation-that this Is the only
miracle recorded by each Of the foul
eyanEalIsts or. perhaps better. In eacl
Of the four gospels. and ask. what 4
the great lesson here for my soul?
am persuaded that 10 my own life thii
miracle and the story OF this lad 4
back Of all this Bible class and mis-
siOnary work In which the Lord hal
10 gracIously and wondrously gIyei
me n partnership with Himself.
\ Some one has said that this story set
forth the one business Of the churcI
| fn Fftla n I'm s,fyIT.ss fsrfh gt,. Kx~..A a,