Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1913-07-31

l(RAST0R RUSSELO) Then He arose
---- - and rebuked the
winds and the sea; and there was a
great calm. Matthew S:242G.
The Bible informs us that Jesus
teachings were parabolic. The Master
explained some of His actions and
words to His disciples and told them
that they alone were permitted to
know the mysteries of the Kingdom
of Heaven. He did not explain all of
His parallels even to His Apostles. On
the contrary, He said. "When the
Spirit of Truth is come lat Pentecost
and afterl, He shall guide you into
allTruth, and bring all things to your re-
membrance whatsoever have spoken"
Since Pentecost, therefore. Jesus fol-
lowers can understand His teaching
in way that His earliest followers
could not. 1t was not expedient that
natural men should understand clear
ly the Divine Plan. st. Peter declared
that If the Jewish rulers had known,
they would not have crucified the
Prince of Life. But only by Jesus
crucifixion could the Divine Plan be
carried out. Therefore it was hidden
from those for whom it was not in
tended.
This was a blessing; for if they had
done those things under full light and
knowledge, their guilt would have
been much greater. They are, there
fore, to be punished according to their
Oh
The same principle obtains respect
ing the whole world; light increases
responsibility. He that knew the Mas
ter's will, and did it not, shall receive
many stripes; he that knew not the
Masters will, and did things worthy
of stripes, shall receive few stripes.
Those begotten of the Holy Spirit as
Gods children have the highest re-
sponsibility. because they have the
greatest knowledge. They alone could
commit the sin unto death, as st. Paul
xplains.-Hebrews GIG; 1926 81.
The secret of the demarcation be-
tween the Church and the world is
that the former has the Holy Spirit be-
getting to a new nature, with priv
ileges of knowledge of God and His
plans not granted others. Only the
outlines of the Divine Character and
Plan can be clearly discerned and APP
preciated by those not spirit begotten.
The Boat and the Storm In Antitype.
Our lesson typically considered, the
boat would represent the Gospel Dis
nr1a Ehn
Lords apparent Indifference to the
storms of persecution assailing His
Church; and the disciples imploring
cry, the prayers of the Church
throughout the Age.
After our Lords ascension, storms of
persecution followed one another I'M
til the history of the true Church has
been marked by severe trials of pa
thence and faith. Often the Lords
people have wondered at the Affections
permitted to come upon them. 1t SEEM
ed as though the Lord did not care.
We might reason that if God had
raised the storm which frightened eX
perienced fishermen, surely Jesus
would not have worked contrary to the
Divine arrangement. We might also
reason that Satan, "the Prince of the
Power of the Air" might have thought
to thwart the Divine arrangement re-
speeding Jesus cruciiXion.
Storm of Trouble Is Near.
Bible students are convinced that the
great storm OF trouble upon the Church
is very near. We need not prophesy
concerning its character. We are to
remember, however, that the majority
of the storms upon the Church have
come from professed people of God
rather than from the world. The
Scribes. Pharisees and Doctors of the
Law really crucifed Jesus, as ST. Peter
declared.--Acts 3:13-l5.
Our expectation is that the Church
will have its most trying experiences
from protested brethren. Church Fed
Grafton has a sincere and innocent
look; but Is not its purpose and object
to fortify sectarianism? Should we
not expect that, when IL shall gain the
measure of political influence and pow
er indicated In the symbolic book of
Revelation. those holding simple
faith in God and His Word. and striv-
ing to walk the narrow way. will be