The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-12-02
9aturday. y.0ight
ToIkc By Rev. F. E. DAWSON
OuktNS Rutland, VI
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THE KINGS BEwILpEREp plscI.
PIE.
ternational Bible Lesson for Dec.
4, '1o-(Matt. 26:3t-35, 69-75).

A great deal of sharp criticism
has been directed at Simon Peter be-
cause of his denial of Christ on the
morning of the Masters arrest. He
has been charged with cowardice,
yaccilation, self-importance, rash
ness, blasphemy, hot temper, and
desire to protect himself at all hax-
ards. Most people put Peter and
Judas in the same category when
they refer to the events that led to
the arrest and crucifixion of Christ.
But let us not be too hard on the
man who on that tragic morning GER
tainly did deny his Lord He cuts
an unmanly figure. it is true. as he
comes stealing furtively in to the
judgment hall, but we must not for
get that he did come there-the only
one OF the disciples who had any
courage left-with the exception Of
John. 1t is to his credit also. let 1t
not be overlooked, that he was the
only man who had pluck enough to
draw a sword and strike in his Mas
ter's defense. How he would have
smashed into that mob had he been
permitted to do so! And here is
where his bewilderment was greatly
increased. The thing that puzzled
Peter was that his lion hearted Mas
ter should submit to be arrested like
an ordinary being, when he knew
him to be possessed of such marvel
Gus power that with a look or a
word He could have annihilated the
riotous mob. Peter had any amount
of physical courage. Just a few
hours before he had called attention
to the fact that the company had
two swords, and when Christ said
"It is enough" he took it for granted
that he had the Masters consent to
use the weapons if necessary. But
when, in loyal allegiance, the disci-
pie had struck out at the first head
that showed itself, only to be sharply
reproved for smiting and the dam
age repaired on the spot, how could
he help being bewildered by the ap-
parent inconsistency.
Substituting SaItpeter for St. Peter.
If Christ had organized an earthly
kingdom Peter would have made
magnificent commander-in-chief OF
the army. His sword would have
flashed in the thickest of the fight. II
he could have dealt out saltpeter on
the heads of Christ's enemies what
warrior he would have been. But
here he was ready to defend the
Master to the last drop of his blood,
and was not permitted to lift fin
ger in His defense. Peter had not
begun to learn the power of per-
sonal piety over brute force. The
world has been a long time learning
that the evangelism of gunboats and
benevolent assimilation is not the
Christ method. We can never sub
stitute saltpeter for st. Peter.
Doctrine of Non-Resistance.
We cannot wonder much at the be-
wildered disciple when we remem-
Der that we have not yet learned the
Christ doctrine of turning the other
cheek" We are living yet in the
age of muscular christianity. Pugi-
lism still has a mighty attraction to
the masses. Our motto to this day
is 'In time OF peace prepare for war;"
Napoleon's boast that God is on the
side of the heaviest battalions," finds
a response in the average mind. We
all feel that if the Kingdom Of God
can be hastened little by a war
feet trip around the world it is good
policy to send them along and pay
the bills. 1t is supposed to exert
good moral influence on the rest Of
the world, when a great Christian ma
ton has an extended coast-line to de-
fend, to let them all see that we
have the dogs OF war with which to
defend them.
Peter felt Just that way, and he
was cut loose from his moorings ut
terly, when to his amazement He
who had all power In heaven and on
earth, said to him, Put up thy
sword into its sheath" Evidently
Jesus had the motive that made Him
superior to carnal methods, but Peter
had not caught glimpse OF it then.
This was the state of mind of the
btCdt dibNipiC IOliONCu inc
crowd afar off, drew near the court
room where the farce of trial was
going on, crept in among the SER
wants, his heart breaking with the
shame, insult, and humiliation that
had been heaped upon his Master,
unwilling to permit Him to be taken
out of his sight, hoping every mo-
ment for some manifestation of pow
er that would have caused him to
fly instantly to the side of his Lord
In such a state of utter confusion
and bewilderment it is no wonder
that he broke down when the nag
ging servant kept lancing him with
the insinuation and direct charge Of
being a disciple, and his old fisher
men habit of profanity leaped up and
overwhelmed him. It was a mighty
test OF raw recruit, and it is to his
credit that the act and the reproach-
ful look OF Christ sent him weeping
and penitent out of the court.
Tears on the face of some men
mean little, but when such a giant
Simon Pafar