East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1908-11-30


tive. impulsive and tactless. The
question came like a flash of light
ming from the clear sky. 1t followed
an episode. The depression was big
with meaning, and full of tension,
once, twice. three times the ques-
propounded to him, and he had been
asked TO affirm his love for Christ.
whom he had denied, as many times
as he had denied him, and triple
obligation had been laid upon him.
He had been awed into silence by the
solemn interrogatories by the weight
of the obligation, and by the vision
which he had seen in the picture of a
cross symbolizng his own coronation.
Henceforth he was ready to follow
Him though the path might lead by
way of the cross. 1t was the same
voice that he heard on the shores of
Galilee, but it came to him now with
depth and fullness of meaning that
he had never discovered-with an
authority that was imperative.
Peters Curiosity.
The story might have ended here,
but for the appearance of John upon
the scene. This broke the spell that
was upon Peter He took his eye off
the picture. He lost sight of his own
task. He was curious to know what
that other disciple should do. He was
willing to take the cross himself, but
he wanted John to have a cross, too
How like him We are!
We may apologize for Peter; he is
deserving of consideration. But he
was guilty of an impertinence; he
was presumptuous. He had just been
restored to the fellowship of the dis
ciples, and to his position and rank
as an apostle. The Master had drawn
picture of courage, fidelity and tri-
out of sight. But Peters impetuous-
ity got the better of him. His old
habit reasserted its mastery. His
tongue, at once his greatest force and
his greatest foe, was turned loose
do not know that there had been
ciples. There may have been. They
were human. John, perhaps. heard
the interview between Christ and
Peter. Peter is sure that he heard
it. Peter had been grieved by the
oft-repeated question. There is an
element Of impatience in the situation.
Come to think about it, it is no Won
der that he asked the question. Peters
impulsiveness broke out in presump- |
ton in the face of all that Christ had
done for him. The goodness of God
is supposed to lead men to repent |
ance, but it often leads men into pre-
sumption. Men who stand in dread of
the law, and fear its penalties, will |
trample kindness under their feet.
Forbearance often emboldens to |
greater presumption.
Makes Comparisons.
When Peter got a glimpse of John
he began to make comparisons. In
this he has his counterpart in men
and women of today. How many OF
the most beautiful lessons Of life
have been lost lofty ideals passed
and precious hours spoiled, and lives
blighted by indulging in comparisons
The habit Of making contrasts is Sc
ductive and destructive. 1t is better
for one to accept his own allotment
work out his own salvation and win
his own crown, without reference to
what others are to do, or to have.
Half the bitterness of this world
comes from comparisons. contrasts
and consequent jealousies. Envy
will poison the purest fountain. No
heart, no life, no home, no society, no
church Is safe where there Is jeal-
ousy and envy growing out Of the
vicious habit Of making hurtful COM
parsons. We are afraid to trust our
selves and our own tasks. We fail
to take account OF our own peculiar
tiles and others idiosyncracies. We
forget that there is not another like
ourselves. We differ in our physical
organism. in our mental temperaments
and in our ethical natures What APP
peals to one man will not appeal to
another. What will win one man will
ALLEVIATE another. What suits one
man will not suit another. What one
man can do another can not do. Peter
and John were very unlike. Christ
chose them both. He had need Of
both. He deals with us as individuals.
He knows our frame, what we can do
and how we can best do 1t. He has
chosen our tasks, and IL we will as
sume them and perform them he will
take care of the crowning, and we i
,h hn IL hnun n1r nnrnnafInn