The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1913-08-01

| the winds and the
sea; and there was a great calm
Matthew S:24-26.
The Bible informs us that all of Je-
sus teachings were parabolic. The
Master explained the significance of
some of His actions and words to His
disciples, saying, To you it is given to
know the mysteries Of the Kingdom of
Heaven. but to all outsiders these
things are spoken in parallels and dark
sayings. that hearing they might hear
and not understand" Jesus did not
explain all of His dark sayings even to
His Apostles. Indeed, very few of His
parallels were explained. On the con-
trary. He said. when the Spirit of
Truth is come 1.-THE Holy Spirit-at
Pentecost and afterl. He shall guide
you into all Truth. and bring all things
to your remembrance whatsoever l
have spoken unto yOu." On another
occasion of similar import. He said.
What do thou knowest not now. but
thou shalt know hereafter
Thus we see that it has been posi-
BILE for all the followers of Jesus since
Pentecost TO understand the Masters
teachings in way that His earliest
followers could not understand them.
The reason for this is plain. 1t was
not eXpedient that the natural Jews
or other natural men should under
stand clearly the Divine Plan. For
them to understand would have meant
that in many instances Gods plans
might have miscarried. As. for in
stance st. Peter informs us that if the
rulers of the Jews had known. they
would not have crucified the Prince of
Life But only by the crucifixion Of
Jesus could the Divine Plan be carried
out and therefore it was hidden from
those for whom it was not intended.
Nor was there any injustice in this:
rather it was a blessing in disguise for
them. If they had done the same
things under full light and knowledge,
their guilt would have been many fold
greater. They are not. therefore. to
be punished according to their deeds
entirely. but according to the measure
Of light and knowledge which they
possessed. which was very limited.
And the same principle obtains in re-
spect to the whole world from then
until now-little light. little response
bility: more light. more responsibility.
He that knew the Masters will and
did it not will have many stripes: he
that knew not the Masters will and
did things worthy of stripes, shall De
punished with few stripes. On the
contrary. those who are begotten of
the Holy Spirit, and thus accepted as
Gods people. into Gods family, have
the highest responsibility, because they
have the greatest knowledge. They.
and they alone. could possibly commit
the sin unto death. as st. Paul ex-
plains in Hebrews Gle. and 1926. q.
When the Scriptures declare. The
wise shall understand" the reference
Is to those who are especially enlight-
ened by the Lord through the Holy
Spirit anS through the deeper under
standing which they gain respecting
the true meaning of Gods Word. On
the contrary we have the assurance
also that none of the wicked shall un-
derstand," st. Paul explains the situa-
ton to us. saying. THE natural man
receiveth not the things of the Spirit
Of God. neither can he know them. be-
cause they are spiritually discerned.
But he that is spiritual judgeth all
things. yea, the deep things of God"
Here. then. Is the secret of demarca-
lion between the Church and the
world. The former have the begetting
of the Holy Spirit to new nature.
and with that begetting 20 privileges
and opportunities of knowledge of God
and of His plans. purposely secreted
from all others not pirit-begotten.
Hence. in all our attempts to spread
the knowledge of God. we should re-
member to Impress the thought that
only the outlines of the Divine charac-
ter and plan may be clearly discerned
and appreciated by those not spirit-be-
gotten.
Allwho desire to go on unto perfection.
and TO grow In grace and knowledge
and character. should be informed that
the second step after the primary
study is conservation. Those who will
not consecrate will not have the priv
lege of looking deeply into and discern
Ing clearly the lengths and breadths
and heights and depths of the Divine
character and plan. This also is for
their good--a wise provision Of Gods
love. For any having come unto the
begctting Of the Holy Spirit can have
no further claim with the world upon