The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-10-04
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Jesus saith to simon Peter: Simon. son of Jonas, lowest thou Me?' He saith unto him: Yes. Lord. Thou know
 we cannot tell what happened at this interview between Jesus Christ and His penitent disciple: We re- We have rejoiced to find him reappear- ing in the sacred narrative, and we have been made aware that when Peter understood that Jesus was stand, Him--he did cast himself into the sea"-and So he was the first to see Jesus. and he saw the Saxiour alone me shall never know in this world.
 We do not know the secret inter views which men have with their Lord l; their public life and prayers. but what they Say when they are quILe alone we may never understand.
 Blessed be God! There are such in- the soul with grace most surely. yet the hidden worship is only known to those who take part in that sacred ex- so far as this narrative Is concerned. The word is uttered by Peter which enables us to penetrate In some de. and simon. That world of explana- tion or suggestion Is "knowest. In the first answer We find: Yes, Lord; Thou knowest," And Sgaiq. the rSS sec, 
 knowest;" and once more It appears: Lord. Thou knowest all things; Thou
 How did Jesus know that Peter loved Him? So far as the open history is concerned. the last incident points to Peters denial of Jesus Christ But we have not to deal with the open history alone, but with the secret, and unreported interview. In that solemn colloquy 1t was made clear that under all the blasphemy there lay an af- ng and shame and treason there throbbed an immortal love.
 What questions Christ might have Simon Simon PsT sfs hst asst haH RGq bled myself? simon Peter. hast thou told the disciples that thou art a wicked man? Nothing. of that kind was said by the gentle Jesus. Ike uses the word that is chief in His vocal bu- lary: simon. son of Jonas. lowest thou Me?"-a question that You might have put to. child, yet the deepest ques-
 This was profound, because love cal ries everything with IL. IL is a hro that burns up all the roots; 1t h fllr- it is an enthu usiasm that means pro- phetic insight and sympathetic indentl- fcation with all things pure, true and profound. because 1t excited hope. Everything depends upon the tone in which a question is asked. Who can tell the music or lAc lAQuAty ds du- dressed to Peter, Lowest thou Me-"
 The very question stirred the spirit of Peter into hopefulness. Give man to understand that you despair of him and he will despair of himself but ask him question which has hope of him. and he may rise to It with new energy and a new confidence.
 This was a practical question az well as gracious and profound, because 1t is the true qualification for labor. A man cannot labor for Christ if he does not love Christ. It is when love falls that service goes down.
 Where there is love there will De no difficulty In the progress of the Christian life. Love sees in the dark ness. walks on the water. and turns the wilderness Into a glowing garden Love Is cast down. but not destroyed persecuted but not forsaken; in con- tinual peril, and yet In continual se- curity Where there is more love, there will be more progress. Love opens the door of every difhculty and love makes His service daily de-
 The souI-searching question. often asked, comes yet once again to each of us: Lowest thou Me?" May we have the grace to reply with heart broken earnestness. like Peter: lord Thou knoWest all things: Thou know eat that l love Thee"