The Alaska citizen., 1915-03-08

TIE PLACE PREPARED.

1t Is a most remarkable thing re-
sardins the place prepared that the
master should prepare for the ser
want This upsets all ordinary pro-
ceedings All appointments, Gus
toms, rules and the like that men
are in the habit Of using on earth
are frequently reversed in divine
economy and procedure. Jesus
Christ remarks to his servants-Quite
inefficient, incomplete, laundering
servants. too-"I, your Lord and
Master, go to prepare a place for
you"
But such was His course on earth.
His ministry was different for His
was cOndescension, self-ignoring, self
humiliation. Washing the disciples
feet by their Master was beyond
their comprehension; such things
were out OF place. So much of His
divine demonstration of love was
out of place" with the people of
his day His whole life. measured
by His former and essential dignity,
was one Of condescension, and men
understood
1t is further to be especially re-
marked about the text, that a con
dition should arise to make it nee
essary to prepare" anything. Jesus
appears to suggest in these words,
Il go to prepare" that there is d
great deal of work for Him to do
somewhere. and that He must hasten
TO accomplish it. Can He who fills
eternity and breathes infinity have
plans, appointments and arrangements
to carry out? When finiteness and
infiniteness converse the language
of the lesser must be used He
knows we are in the cradle still;
that the mightiest speaker is but
able to lisp the language of the
Infinite
There are some things the Mas
ter only can perform. What man
would propose to prepare summer
for us? Let him try. Let him gather
his tools-paints. oils and brushes
and make just one little honey
suckle and the humming bird or bee
will laugh at his folly. But the Mas
ter makes no fuss about it. The
sun rises a little higher, the north
wind HES himself to his northern
rao1r, md tho cold c0Cwe Give III,
their drink, while the whole world
reioices with flowers in every elm
ate and soil If servant cannot
prepare summer. how can he prepare
a place" fit for immortality? If the
greatest Christian eXhausts his power
when he lights a taper how can he
fill the vast heavens with morn
ing that will never melt into sunset?
They all forsook him and fled"
He had led them out in His infinite
love beyond their depth. In after
years they learned slowly and life
had new possibilities. So well did
Paul learn that he writes" all things
are yours, and we are Christ's."
The Christian believer is the OBJ
ject OF Christ's constant and jealous
care. To his wandering disciples Jesu
remarks, at is eXpedient for you
that l go" Ever on His heart were
thoughts Of preparation, plans and
their proper execution for the ulti-
mate happiness Of those who would
own Him.
Peter Numbered forth saying,
Blessed be the God and Father Of
our Lord Jesus Christ, which &C
cording to His abundant mercy hath
begotten us again unto a lively hope
by the resurrection Of Jesus Christ
from the dead, to an inheritance
incorruptible and undefiled, and that
for you IN the face Of such fact
men trifle with the shallowest things
living, forgetting that mans life
consistent not in the abundance Of
the things he possesseth.
Preparing place" is a work
Jesus has set himself to do, and
coupled with that He asks men to
prepare for the place. Christ is ever
going out in the passion OF His
caring for us, and He says in full
tenderness, "be at peace-let not
your heart be troubled"
Then, Christians are to be ever
lastingly his joy. The plan is for
fellowship, permanency, continuity
of residence. Il will come again and
receive you unto myself" And what
does that mean! In the world of
nature old things pass away. Have
you seen a single leaf made over
or been compelled to put the faded
rosebud into cup OF water to
bring back its departed beauty and
fragrance? Is the old year brushed
up and polished, presented to you
on the first Of January? No. Old
things pass: all things are new. One
day He will roll up the heavens
and create a new heaven, destroy
the world with fires" and create
new earth, wherein dwellett
Righteousness. Some things are fol