The Nevada County picayune., 1910-09-02

Ing LIS example that ye should follow h!S StepS.-Peter 1T, 2.
 When the apostle Paul wrote those words he referred specifically to the example of our Lord under suffering. Furthermore. 1t Is worthy to note that his words were primarily addressed to those who were slaves.
 It Is not at all my purpose to use only this one side of the Masters ex- ample. I want rather to gather to- gether from a wider range than this one text some of the leading charac- teristics of the example set us by our Lord. His Is an ideal character of the ages, and we cannot too often bring before our minds its salient fea- lures.
 The word example here is the translation of a word which Is used only in this place in the New Testa- ment. It means writing copy" such as might be found fin child's exercise book and designated as an aid in learning how to write correctly. The word follow" Is emphatic and implies close and dilligent following. If We catch the full meaning of the text. 1t Is necessary to bear in mind these facts with reference to the two most important words in 1t.
 Tn the Masters steps," He has left us an example that we should follow his steps The Master himself on several occasions cited his own acts as the only ones to be initiated by his followers. Thus he said concerning an act he had just performed: T have given you an example. that ye should do as have done to you" Or. again: This Is my commandment, that ye love one another. even as I have loved you" So the apostle Paul cites our Lords example. saying: Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus" And in another place we read: Let each one of us please his neigh Dor for that which is good. unto edify- ing. For Christ also pleased not himself" The apostles aim in life was to reproduce as far as he could the life of his Lord For to me to live is Christ"
 One of the reasons why "it behooved him in all things to be made like unto his brethren" was that he might show us the possibilities of which our na- lures are capable. Man needed to see how an ideal person acts. In addi- tion to that which our Redeemer must do to make atonement for our sins. he must also set us an example in his own life, so that We might have a model after which we should attempt to conform our lives.
 Of course there were many things about our Lords life that We could not initiate, but there are other aspects of 1t which we must initiate. If we are to be able successfully to lay claim to his discipleship. We must walk in the Masters steps.
 In obeying the Fathers will The psalmist has said: To, I am come; in the roll of the book it is written of me: l delight to do thy will, o my God" The writer of the epistle to the He- brews applies those words to Jesus. whilst he himself said: My meat is to do the will of him that sent me and to accomplish his will" Later in his ministry in the presence of great multitude, Jesus affirmed: T am come down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me" And in his last prayer with his disciples he said: q glori- fled thee on the earth. having accom- plished the work which thou hast given me to do.'' Though he was Son, yet learned his obedience by the things which he suffered.
 Obedience is about the first thing the follower of Christ has to learn. Obedience is the Masters test "Ye gre my friends, if ye do the things which I command you" No amount of protestation that we are his followers will take the place of obedience. We should follow in the Masters steps in resisting temptation. Our Lord hath been in all points tempt eI like we are, yet without sin" Nor were the temptations of our Lord mat ters of little moment. He suffered being tempted" The conflict with Satan at the beginning of our Lords ministry was tremendous reality. Temptation once came to him in the words of Peter, so that Jesus said to him: Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art stumbling block unto me" So again and again our Lord was tempted. It is to be wondered at that he should say so solemnly to his dis ciples. just as he was about to leave them: Watch and pray. that ye en- ter not into temptation" We follow in the Masters steps when We resist temptation. What an encouragement 1t is to be assured that the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation"
 In prayer Is another way to follow in his steps. Our Lord repeatedly prayer. And this was not merely for its effect on his disciples. The Mas. ter prayed because he needed thus to hold communion with the Father. Re member the transfiguration scene on
 Mount Hermon, when. as he prayed