The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1910-12-06

was different with him. His expert
ences on the spirit Plane before COM
ing into the world were all In asso.
ciation With life. perfection of life.
I'm him vas Observation-Disclosures
because he was holy. harmless. unue.
ilcd and separate from sinners: his
life came not from Adam.
| lie knew that in his perfection ne
had right to life. If be would live
In perfect accordance with the Divine
requirements. But he knew also that
by special Covenant with God. "A
Covenant By sacrifice" be had agreed
to the surrender Of all his earthly
rights and to allow his life 10 be taken
from him. The Father had promised
him great reward Of glory, honor
and Immortality through resurrection
from the dead. but this was dependent
| upon his absolute obedience In every
particular-in word. In thought. in
deed. The question was. Had lie been
absolutely loyal to God in every partic-
ular? If net death would mean to him
an eternal extinction Of being. not only
| the loss Of heavenly glory promised as
| q reward. but the loss Of everything
Can we wonder that he did not un-
derstand? The hour seemed so dark.
and be said. My soul Is exceeding
| sorrowful." He knew that be was to
die. He knew that death was neces-
sary. But here. now. looming up be-
fore him on the morrow was shame
full execution asa blasphemer. rs q
criminal. as vioator of Divine law
Could 1t be possible that in anything.
even slightly. be had taken to himself
| the honor due 10 the Father? Could 1t
be possible tha, in any degree he had
held back. even In his mind. from
| full obedience TO the Fathers will!
Did this cEuci6zion rs criminal pos
! sibly mean the loss Of Divine favor!
| Was II necessary that he should die
thus? Might nor this cup Of iEnomlny
pass? So lie prayed in Il great agony.
And although the older Greek manu-
scripts dc not contain the statement
that be sweat great drops Of blood.
medical science tells Us that such an
experience would not have been al
! all impossible in nervous. strained.
mental agony. But we note the beau
| tiful simplicity of the statement with
which his prayer cnncluded-"Never-
theless. my Father, not my Will. but
thy will. be done"
Flow childlke and beautiful the
faith and trust, even amidst strenuous
| agitation! St Paul says that he was
heard in the thing which he feared.
How? Gods answer came by angelic
hands. An angel appeared and minis
tered to him-ministered to his neces-
| slty. "Are they not all ministering
| spirits. sent forth to minister to those
who shall be heirs Of salvatton!" (de-
brews /. l4.) We are not informed IN
what words this heavenly ministry
| was expressed to the Master In his
Iowllness and sorrow. but We do know
that 1t must have been with full ns'
surince OF the Heavenly Fathers ia
rOr and sympathy ana love. re Was
heard in respect to the things "hich
he feared. He received the assurance
that he was well-pleasing TO the ta-
thrr: tha, he had been faithful to hls
F; Covenant. and that he would have the
resurrection promised.
"Behold the Lamb Of God"
From that moment onward the Mas
ter was the Gu lnest Of all who had
any association with the great events
! of that night aud the following day
Officers. servants. Sauhcdrin. priests.
Hcrod and his men of war. l'llale ana
bis soldiers. and the shouting rahble--
all were excited. ri! were distressed
Jesus only WAS calm. THIS was be-
cause he had the Fathers assurance
that all was well between them. As
this blessed assurance gave the Mas
ter courage. so bis followers Siuce have
found that, III God he for US. who
can be against u.s." If we have the
pence Of Cod ruling III our hearts. 1t
iS herc,,H ~ hr,"nr "onl.'r"h"ncin1.