The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-05
BREAD FROM HEAVEN.

ms incident OF the feeding OF tho
multitude Is recorded by all of the
cvangclists. Matthew and Mark de-
scribe how the Lord went by boat
across q little lake in the hope or cs-
before lie went up to Jerusalem Bu,
no such rest was to be found. When
the intrusive crowd burst IN. Jesus re-
ceived then, without n single sign or
impatiencc. lie welcomed them"-a
difficult thing TO do. and one which
few could have achieved
The motives OF most Of the crowd
could have been nothing hi ~er than
what leads vulgar people or all ranks
and countries TO buzz about dsstin-
guished men. utterly regardless or
dclicncy or considcratcncSs. But Jesus
received them patiently. because IIc
was moved with pity" and saw in
their rude crcwding around Tim the
token of their lack of guides and
teachers. They seemed TO Him not
merely a mob OF intrusive sightsecrs.
but like a huddlcd mass OF unshcp-
hcrded sheep.
Christs heart felt more lovingly than
ours. because His eye saw deeper INTO
the true spirit and need OF human
kind. The multitude was hungry and
weak, the disciples faith was feeble
Here was an opportunity for the Mas
tcr's hand-and the Master used II.
The strange suggestion that Ills dis
ciples should feed the crowd must
have appeared to them absurd. but il
was meant to bring out the clear
recognition Of the smalness of their
supply. Therein lie great lessons.
Commands are given and apparent
duties laid on US. in order that we may
find out how impotcnt We arc 10 do
item II can never uc ou.' duty to do
what We cannot do. but ii * often oar
duty TO attempt tasks to which we
ATE conspicuously inadcquatc IN the
Confidence that He who gives them
h1s laid them on us TO drive us to
Himself. and there to find sui.iciency
The best preparation OF Ills servants
for their work In the world is the dis
Those who have learned that ii is their
task TO feed tho multitude. and who have
said: I'VE have no more than such ana
such scanty resources" are prepared
TO he the distributors OF His all-sut-
hcient supply
1T took great deal Of faith to seat
the crowd. and some faith on the paru
of the crowd to sit. We too. have to
put ourselves III the attitude to re-
ceive gifts OF which sense sees no
sign; anC IT. III obedience TO Chris,'s
word. we sit down expecting Him %
find The food. we shall not lie disap-
pointed. though the table be spread In
tue Wilderness and neither storehouse
nor Kitchen be in sigut
All the accounts tell of Christ's
cd; for His words are deeds. and com
the blessing which He speaks.
As He blessed" lie brake These
words mean single act. but gave"
describes continuous and repeated nc
ton. The pieces grew under hts
touch. and the disciples always found
His hands full when they came back
TO Him with their hands empty.
The symholical aspect or the miracle
Is set forth in the great discourse
which follows il in Johns t;ospel
Jesus is the bread OF God which came
down from heaven. That bread is
broken for ms. Not I'm Ills incarnation
alone. but in Ills death Is lie the food
OF the world. and we have not only
TO eat Ills ncsh" but to drink Ills
lose sight OF the symbol OF His ser
wants task. They are the distributors
of the heaven-sent bread. If they VIII
DGt taxi their poor stores to Jesus.
with the acknowledgment of their in
sufficiency. lie will turn them into in
cxhaustible supplies, and they Will tind
that there is that scattereth. and vet
increascth." Wha: Christ blcsses Is
always enough.
His provision is more than enough
for a hungry world. ana they who
Share il out among their fellows have
thclf own possession OF il Increased.
There is no surcr way to receive the
fun sweetness and blessings or the
gospel than to carry il to some hungry
soul, Thcs. full baskets teach us. too
that in Christ's gift of Himself "a the
Bread OF Life. there is ever more Than
at any given moment we can appro-
pirate. Tho Christians spiritual cx-
pericnccs have ever an element OF in
nnity in them: and we feel that If We
were able to take in more there would
be more for MS to take. Other food
clogs and docs not satisfy, and leaves
us starving. Christ satisfies and does
not cloy. and we have always remain
ing, yet to be enjoyed. the boundlcss
stores. which neither eternity will age
nor universe feeding on them con-
sumo. The Christians capacity of
partal<ing Of Christ grows with what
il feeds on. and he alone is safe in he