The Brinkley argus., 1912-09-20

AAto o -uSSclI pldCe tudt they Iu1SuL rest, and also that he might comfort their hearts over the death of John the Baptist. "They had no leisure" Jesus knew the need and also the proper use of leisure. But the multi tude would not grant this and flocked to his retreat in the desert. They saw and followed that they might listen to his gracious words or behold some new wonder, but Jesus also saw and ninistered, v. "A. Carlisle said he saw in England forty millions, mostly fools." Not so with Jesus. He saw and was moved, not with sarcasm, but with compassion, which compassion took a tangible form of service. It is interesting to note in verse 34 that the compassion of Jesus led him first of all to teach. It is better to teach a man how to help himself than to help the man. We also infer from this verse that the soul of a man is of more value than his body. It is not enough, however, to say, God bless you, be fed and warm," when a man is hungry. So 1t is that Jesus listened to his diciples when they saw the physical need of the multitude.
 A Great Task.
 st. John tells us in this connection of the conversation with Philip. Phil ip lived in Bethsaida near by, yet to feed this multitude was for him too great task, even with his knowledge of the resources at hand, John 6:5-7 Yet we need not be surprised at Phil lp's slowness of faith. Moses in like manner was once nonplussed how to feed six thousand in the wilderness. sec Mum. 11:21-23. It is not so much as to how great the need nor how lit tie we possess, but rather is the little given to God.
 Another disciple, Andrew, who had discovered the Saviour unto Peter, dis covers as though in desperation boy whose mother had thoughtfully pro vided him with lunch consisting of i've barley biscuits and two small dried herring (John 6:9), at least that much remained. It Is great com mentary upon the tide of interest at this time that this boy should not have eaten his lunch, for boys hun ger is proverbial. It seems as though Jesus emphasizes the helplessness oi the diciples in order that he may show his power. His command, give ye them," (v. 37) teaches us that we are to give such as we have, not look to others, nor do our charity by proxy. Prov. 11:24, 25.
 Again the Saviour asks his disciples to see {v.. .3S) as though he would teach them the boundless resources of his kingdom. Give what you have and he will bless and increase it to the supplying of the needs of the multi tude. The secret of success was when he took the loaves and Hooking up" for God also saw on that day, and blessed 1t.
 We need to observe the systematic procedure. The people seated or re- clining upon the ground in ranks or by companies. The Master blessing and breaking the boys cakes and giv- ing first to the disciples. for God only works such miracles through human agencies, and then giving to the peo- pie. The result of this systematic pro- cedure was that "all did eat" and further, they were satisfied, v. 42 Not alone, however, was there Divine or der and lavishness, but there was economy and thrift as we'll, for Jesus gave careful directions as to the frag- ments. The lavishness Is shown by the fact that the baskets into which the fragments were gathered were each large enough in which to sleep.
 Living Broad.
 The conversation process was . stinging rebuke to the improvidsnt orientals. and to the present day prodi- gals of that wonderful bounty with which God has blessed our land.
 God gives to us that we may use. Joy dies unless 1t is shared. Jesus. the living bread (John 6:4S) will satis- fy hunger and life, as bread, gener- ates in the human body heat, energy. vitality. power, etc.. 70 he would feed the hungry souls of mankind. We have at hand the Word; 1t is for lack Of 1t that men die in the deepest sense of that word.
 The poverty and perplexity of the disciples in his presence and the pres ence of this great need is being re- peated over and over today and yet 1t Is absurd. We have not enough to feed the multitude. Our few loaves of amusements, mental activities, etc., will not feed them, but when we break unto them the Living Bread they have enough and to spare. The words of tho late Maltbie Babcock are appro- prlate in this connection:
 Back of the loaf Is the snowy -four,
 And back of the -four the mill,
 And back of the mill is the wheat and
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