Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1909-12-16

In which It was sent show
that there was no clear I'M
derstandlng and definite arrange
ment between the Master and this
friendly citizen. And yet the man was
not taken unawares when the two
disciples delivered the request. he
showed them large upper room fur
nlshed and ready" II he did not feel
sure. he was expeetant, he was hopeful
Master and his disciples that Paschal
eve.
His guest arrived He and the ~
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 II 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. II not al
together lovely. the chiefest among
the thousand. at least admirable He
Ia 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 II does not lead to
fellowship. He holds the Imagination.
but does not exercise sovereign au-
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 guest.
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 NUn I,n,ur
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
eret key OF every room. Every feast
Is 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 Stun and the
far-of lonely field in heather twiIlghts.
To grant him the guest chamber
may. after all. denote little more than
religious good nature. which may be
inherited through pious family tradi-
ticns There is prophets chamber
in the lives Of all who have been
brought up in Christian homes. When
he comes to say; I keep the passover
at thy house" the mere courtesy of de-
vo,ion 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 q marginal Christ.
Sacrifice Is Demanded.
In the living experience OF Christ
there must be moral passion. One
never sits down TO sup with Christ
without giving up much. There is a
fellowship OF his suiferings. as well as
a power of his resurrection. Other en-
gagements may have to be Cancelled.
other visitors dismissed. before the
feast Of his pardon and peace can be
worthily partaken. II is this that to-
DAY stops many who admire Christ
( from becoming Christians. In the in
I vited guest they begin to recognize
the signs OF a supreme lordship: and
/ they are afraid. Were It only a matter
{ of sitting down with him at endless
feast, there would still be misgivings:
f for his presence creates a moral en-.
vironment. But what other claim is
/ this?-'I am crucified with Christ.
/ Christ liveth in me. He Is more than
a silent guest in private room. more
even than a desirable companion al
/ table; he is the Lord of life, of every
/ part OF life. Whatsoever he saith I'm.
TO you. do it." He may command one
to difncult journey. promising no cal.
eulable success; he may bid another
to stay in humble privacy. promising
no earthly consolation. For the conso
lation, the success is in obeying him
the task itself is his boon. II the din
cult journey Is his. why complaint II
the weary cross is his. why demur? In
that journey. in that cross, he desires