Mexico Missouri message., 1909-12-16

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in which it was sent show
that there was no clear UNI
Outstanding and definite arrange.
ment between the Master and this
friendly citizen. And yet the man was
nut taken unawares; when the two
disciples delivered the request, he
showed them large upper room fur.
nished and ready" II he did not feel
sure, he was expectant, he was hopeful
Of being privileged to entertain the
Master and his disciples that Paschal
eve
His guest arrived. He and the IL
passed into the guest chamber. But
the man himself did not join them at
table. He had the pure yet half-anx-
ious joy of knowing that they were in
his house, he might hear their voices
occasionally in conversation, and the
singing of the last hymn. Yet he was,
in his house, an outsider. He did not
himself partake of that eucharistic
feast of perfect love. Did he feel a
wish to be with them and Of them, or
was he content? Was 1t enough for
him that Jesus should be in his house?
The question suggests the relation
of many to Christ. They provide him
with the guest-chamber, and no more.
They do not ignore him, or treat him
with scorn; he is to them, if not al.
together lovely, the Ghiefest among
the thousand, at least admirable. He
is more than an interesting stranger,
seen passing the door and all but for
gotten. He is in the guest-chamber-
within closed doors. His presence
gives distinction to the house. There
is admiration, but 1t does not lead to
fellowship. He holds the imagination,
but does not exercise sovereign gu
thority in the realm of conscience. He
is the Christ of history, but not of ex-
perience.
Receiving His Grace.
We reach this second stage in such
an experience as this: Il will come in
to him, and will sup with him, and he
with me-" He who entered as gnes.,
has now become host, and the host
who welcomed him has become his
guest. The door was opened as though
we were showing him grace, but we
soon discover that the grace is all on
his side. He does not despise our pro-
visions-our penitence, our faith, our
better thoughts. But after the journey
and the storm they are scanty fare
So he brings forth the rich provisions
of his grace, and we are called to sup
with him. We no longer move about
the house, somewhat subdued by the
sense of a Divine Guest in the upper
room, catching, as we pass the door,
whispers of holy conversation, of deep
revelations; we have been invited to
''the place of banquet and of song"
This is the Christ of experience.
And yet there is an inmost depth of
experience, which Paul had reached
when he wrote: Christ liveth in me-"
The host owns the house Not merely
the guest chamber is his, but the Sc
cret key Of every room. Every feast
is a sacrament of obedience. To sup
with him is to rise after supper, and
grid ourselves with the towel, and
wash his disciples feet. He is not only
the Christ of the convention and con-
ference, but of the city slum and the
far-off lonely field in heather twilights
To grant him the guest chamber
may, after all, denote little more than
| religious good nature, which may be
inherited through pious family tradi.
lions. There Is prophets chamber
in the lives of all who have been
brought up in Christian homes. When
he comes to say: II keep the passover
at thy house." the mere courtesy of de
votion may constrain many to let him
pass into the upper room. They honor
his name, they are interested in the
literary documents of his life, they
sing his hymns. But he is little more
to them than marginal Christ.
Sacrifice Is Demanded.
In the living experience of Christ
there must be moral passion. One
never sits down to sup with Chris
without giving up much. There is {
fellowship of his sufferings, as well al
a power of his resurrection. Other en-
gagements may have to be Cancelled
other visitors dismissed, before thu
feast of his pardon and peace can bt
worthily partakeh. 1t is this that to
day stops many who admire Chris
from becoming Christians. In the in
Vited guest they begin to recognize
the signs of a supreme lordship; ant
they are afraid Were 1t only a matte
of sitting down with him at endles
feast, there would still be misgivings
for HIS presence creates moral en-
vironment. But what other claim
this?-'I am crucified with Christ
Christ liveth in me. "He is more tina
silent guest in private room, NOR
even than a desirable companion a
table; he Is the Lord of life, of ever
part Of life. Whatsoever he saith III
to you, do It." He may command on
to difficult journey, promising no ca
culable success; he may bid anothe
! to stay in humble privacy. promisin
no earthly consolation. For the cons,
lation, the success is in obeying him
} the task itself is his boon. II the diff