Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1912-08-15


disciples after Ills
resurrection. This was presumably
three or four weeks after the Masters
resurrection from the dead
During all those thirty days the mon
tai attitude OF all the Apostles and the
other disciples can be better imagined
than described. They were perpiexed:
they had had evidences OF the Masters
rs~urrcc;ion: they had had the Scrip
lures called to their attention which
proved that this was necessary aud
that God had previously SO arranged
They had hoped for further confer
ences with Jesus and that lie would
tell them definitely what to do.
Instead. left To themselves. they were
thoroughly dishearienel. They had left
all 10 follow Him. to tell the people
that He was the long promised Mes
siah. and that lie would soon set Up
His Kingdom. which would bring bie-s
ings TO Israel. and. through Israel. 10
all the families OF the earth. In harrno-
ny with the AhrahnmIc Covenant. Now
apparently all these hopes were dashed
They Toilcd All Night.
Their first night was Encouraging
one-they caught nothing. In the
morning they heheld 4 stranger IN the
shore. The stranger suggested cast
ing the net on the other side Of the
boat. And although the suggestion
seemed foolish. having been so unSuc-
cessful. yet they dill ~. and imme'li-
aiely the net was filed with fishes.
II did not require long for, them to
learn the lesson. They knew instinc-
trseiy that the unknown stranger WAS
their Master.
All interest had Just conferred in the
fishing business. bur row boats. fSh
and nets all lost their value in the eSti-
nation Of these fishermen. Here was
their risen Lord. for whose third APP
pearance they had been waiting now
nearly three weeks, Fearing that the
Master would disappear before he
could get 10 Him. ST. Peter plunged
into the sea and swan ashore. To his
surprise the stranger already had Hsh.
and had them cooked. and all were In
vted To- Join in the breakfast on the
shore Of Galilee.
Tie stranger had not the clothing by
which they had known their Lord. nei-
tier did lie have the MARKS OF the
nails in His haud> and feet. that they
might thus identify Him This was
different manifestation. They knew
IIiTn as I'D these With whom ne walk
al to EIurlaus WIN rrv1-nizr-l FIifn
IN TIT. blessing ~ the bread. aud MT
by Ills features or clothing o. rornds
They recognized thst none other than
lie could perform such miracls-
Lowest Theu Ne Msrsf-
The stranger addressed ~. Pcter rare
tcularly. saying. Lowest thou Ne
more than these"-the<.. boats and
nets? ST. Peter answered. Lord
Thou knowest that aHecfionSrly
love Thee" lie used a word express
Ing fondness Of love. Jesus replied
Feed my lambs"
|. Then came the question second
time. simon. son OF Jonas. lowest thou
Me-" A great pressure was felt By
st. Peter Why did the Master SO par
ticularly question his love: st Peter
answered. Lord. Thou knowest that
affectionately love Thee Jesus this
time replied. Tend My sheep" Foe
the third time Jesus said 10 Peter. Isl
mon. son of Jonas. tosi tksz affection
ately love Me-" Here Jesus used the
same word that 81. Peter had used.
as though He questioned the affection
and depth of st. Peters lore. All. the
third time must have sent the memory
Of Peter back to the scene In Pilates
Judgment Hall. when he denied his
Master the third time, And now Jesus
for the third time had asked him re-
specting his love. and whether IL was
really love OF affection, st Peters
choking reply was. Lord. Thou know
est all things. Thou kHoress that !
affectionately love Thee The Lords
reply was. Feed My sheep
Our Mistaken MeshoSa
Have not Christians in general over.
looked this important lesson. namely
that the chief work of the ministers
and uudcr-shepherls Of the Lords
fock dutinT this Age Is to feed fhs
doek:" Is II not true nat compara-
lively little feeding Is being done: On
the contrary. the thought usually re-
ceIved by new converts Is. Now you
are saved. 60. evangelize. and bring
others to Christ-especially bring
money. for with plenty OF Ii we can
convert the world.
The advice to ST. Peter should be
Needed. The "iambs" should be fed
until they become sheep" The sheer
should be tended. cared for. guided, in
structed: and the sheep should also Be
fed with the stronger :meat" than that
NH he In