The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1914-04-16
Whom God Calleth: The Twelve.

This lesson is based on Mark III
l3 to 10, and Luke vi, Rom. TX, CT.
8-9-11-16. They are not all Israel
who bear the name, even same as
Judas who did not overcome self, but
was overcome Of Satan. "But we as
Gods children must put aside self
to be led by God as His chosen vessel
or He cannot use us for His work, and
it is done by little here and there,
line upon line, and precept upon pre-
cept. We must overcome, even as He
overcame TO sit with Him in His
throne, Rev. III, 2l-22, Mark III, l3
to 10. when Jesus organized the
first Church He called His disciples
apart to mountain near the sea Of
Galilee. He spent the entire night in
prayer for His disciples, while they
slept at the foot of the mountain,
[show US how much we need to prayl.
He called them that He might send
them forth as His witnesses, to de-
clare to the world what the had seen
and heard of Him. Their Office was
not important to human beings, sec
ond only to Christ. They were to be
workers together with God for the
saving Of the world. "As in the Old
Testament the twelve Patriarchs
stand as representatives of Israel, SO
the twelve Apostles were to stand as
representatives Of the Gospel Church.
All their weakness and errors were
open before Him, and all the perils
they too must pass through" These
disciples had been associated with
Jesus in active labor. John and
James, Andrew and Peter with Phil
lip and Matthew, had been more close
ly connected with Him than the
others, and had witnessed more of
His miracles. John pressed into still
closer intimacy with Jesus 80 that he
is distinguished as the one whom
Jesus loved. The Saviour loved them
all, but John was the most receptive
spirit, he was younger than the others
and with more of the child's confding
trust he opened his heart to Jesus.
Phillip was of Bethsaida, the city OF
of Andrew and Peter, and he had lis
ened to the teachings of John the
Baptist and had heard his announce
ment of Christ as the Lamb Of God.
Phillip was sincere seeker for truth,
but he was slow Of heart to believe.
Tho Philip had seen His works, and
felt His power, yet he had not faith.
When the five thousand were fed,
Phillips lack of faith was shown.
Whence shall we buy bread that these
may eat? When the Greeks inquir-
ed of Phillip concerning Jesus, he did
not introduce them to the Saviour as
an honor and joy, but he went to tell
Andrew. Again before the crucifix-
ion the words Of Philip were such to
faith. Lord we know not |
whittier thou goeth, how can we know
the way? Jesus saith am the way,
the truth and the life, yet slow Of
heart, but the Divine teacher bore
patiently with him Jas with US todayl |
and when the Holy Spirit was pour
I'd out upon the disciples Philip be-
came a teacher after the divine order,
and he spoke and taught with a pow
sr that carried conviction TO his hear
ars. While Jesus was preparing His
disciples for their ordination, one who
iad not been summoned urged his pre-
sence among them, il was Judas
Iscariot, man who professed TO be
/ follower Of Christ, with great
.arnestness he declared, Master, |
will follow thee whithersoever thou
yoest. Jesus neither repulsed or well
,omed him, but uttered only the
words, the foxes have holes,
ind the birds OF the air have nests;
'ut the son Of man hath not where TO
ay His head.