The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1910-11-17

was different with him. Ills expert
ences on the spirit plane before COM
ing into the world were all in asso-
citation with life. perfection of life.
"In him was Observation-Disclosures,
because he was holy, harmless, unde-
fled and separate from sinners; his
life came not from Adam.
He knew that in his perfection he
had a right to life. If he would live
In perfect accordance with the Divine
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 a 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 he been
absolutely loyal to God in every partic-
ular? II 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 I'M
derstand? The hour seemed SO dark,
and he said. "Myq soul is exceeding
sorrowful." He knew that he was to
die. He knew that death was neces-
sary. But here, now, looming up be-
fore him on the morrow was a shame
full execution as a blasphemer. as a
Could It be possible that In anything,
even 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 q criminal pos
sibly mean the loss of Divine favor?
Was 1t necessary that he should die
thus? Might not this cup of ignominy
pass? So he prayed In a great agony.
And although the older Greek manu-
scripts do not contain the statement
that he sweat great drops of blood,
medical science tells us that such an
experience would not have been at
all impossible in a nervous. strained.
mental agony. But we note the beau
tiful simplicity Of the statement with
which his prayer Observation-Disclosures
theless. my Father, not my will, but
thy will, be done"
How childlike 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 administered to his neces-
sity. Are they not all ministering
spirits, sent forth to minister to those
who shall be heirs Of salvation?" Gle
brews 1. 14.) We are not informed in
what words this heavenly ministry
was expressed to the Master In his
lowllness and sorrow. but we do know
that it must have been with full as.
surance Of the Heavenly Fathers ia
vor 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 Fa-
ther; that he had been faithful to his
Covenant. and that he would have the
resurrection promised.
"eehoId the Lamb of God"
From that moment onward the Mas
ter was the calmest Of all who had
any association with the great events
of that night and the following day.
Officers. servants. Sanhedrin. priests,
Herod and his men Of war. PLATE and
his soldiers. and the shouting rabble-
all were excited. all 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 his followers since have
found that, "If God be for us, who
can be against us" If we have the
peace Of God ruling in our hearts, Il
ID beyond all human comprehension.