River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1910-11-17


God for them to apply his merit i'm
putedly to them, to permit them to
join with him specifically in the
sufferings of this present time, that
they might share with him also in
the glories to follow.
ST. Peter, referring to the forego-
ing experience of our Lord, declares
that he offered up strong crying and
tears unto him that was able to save
him from death and was heard in
respect to that which he feared.
Why did he fear? Do not all hu-
mainly face death, and some of
them with great courage and some
with bravado? All, there is a vast
difference between the Masters
standpoint and ours as respects
death. We were born dying. We
never know perfect life. We have
always known that there is no es-
cape from death. 1t was different
with him. His experience on the
spirit plane before coming into the
world were all in association with
life, perfection of life. I'm him
was life'-uuconta because
he was holy, harmless, undefled
and separate from sinners; his life
came not from Adam.
He knew that in his perfection he
had right to life, if he would. live
in perfect accordance with the Di
vine requirements. But he knew
also that by special Covenant with
God, "a Covenant by sacrifice" he
had agreed to the surrender of all
his earthly rights and to allow his
life TO be taken from him. The
Father had promised him great
reward of glory, honor and immor-
tality 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 he been absolutely loyal
to God in every particular? If not
death would mean to him an eternal
extinction of being, not only the
loss of heavenly glory promised as
a reward, but the loss of everything,
Can we wonder that he did not un-
derstand? The hour seemed so
dark, and he said, My soul is ex-
ceeding sorrowful." He knew that
he was to die. He knew that death
was necessary. But here, now,
looming up before him on the NOR
row was shameful execution as
blasphemer, as criminal, as vio-
lator of the Divine law. Could it be
possible that in anything, even be
slightly, he had taken to himself
the honor due to the Father?
Could it be possible that in any
degree he had held back, even in
his mind, from full obedience to the
Fathers will? Did this crucifxion
as criminal possibly mean the
loss of Divine favor? Was it neceS-
sary that he should die thus?
Might not this cup of ignominy
pass? So he prayed in great ag-
ony, And although the older Greek
manuscripts do not contain the
statement that he sweat blood, med
ical science tells us that such an ex,
perience would not have been at all
impossible in nervous, strained,
mental agony. But we note the
beautiful simplicity of the state
ment with which his prayer con-
GUIDED" Nevertheless, my Father,
not my will, but thy will, be done"
How childlike and beautiful the
faith and trust, even amidst strenu-
Gus agitation! St. Paul says that
he was heard in the thing which he
feared. How? Gods answer came
by angelic hands. An angel came
and ministered to him ministered
to his necessity. Are they not all
ministering spirits, sent forth to
minister to those who shall be heirs
of salvation?" (Hebrews l. IA
We are not informed in what words
this heavenly ministry was express
ed to the Master in his lowliness
and sorrow, but we do know that it
must have been with full assurance
of the Heavenly fathers favor and
sympathy and love. He was heard
in respect to the things which he
feared. He received the assurance
that he was well-pleasing to the
Father; and that he had been faith
full to his Covenant, and that he
would have the resurrection prom
ised.
BEHOLD THE LAMB OF GOD"
From that moment onward the
Master was the calmest of all who.
had any association with the great
events of that night and the follow