The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1916-07-28

| ISS{&X#NA <<E&$<(IN&I man who under
lEW % NJ S&NSWMMEzSNNl took To defend
Christ In the gar
den, yet he covered before the SER
wants In the high priests palace. He
was not I'm danger of being killed If
he had confessed Christ, but denied
him 10 save himself from being taunt-
ed. And all this occurred on the same
night In which he had received the
bread and wine from the hands OF his
master, and had submitted TO having
his feet washed by him We are only
kept from chiding him because we are
reminded Of our own failures and our
denials OF Christ.
The Sin Of Profanity.
Added To the sin of denial was that
OF profanity, for we are told that he
began TO curse and 10 swear, saying
he knew not the man. The sin Of
profanity cllngs TO n man, and the ten
dency sometimes appears even after
conversion. Many have failed mt this
point, although delivered from other
sins. An old writer has pointed out
the folly OF II I'm these words: "The
devil tcmpts men through their ambl-
tion. their cupidity, or their appetite.
until he comes To the profnne swear
er. whom he clutches without any re-
ward" There is a melancholy comfort
I'm the fact that Peter seemed to feel
they would not suspect him OF being
disciple if they should hear him
use profane language; the world ex-
poets things Of Christians.
Several elements enter into the
story of Peters denial. First Of nll.
we notice his self-confidence. "If all
shall be offended In thee. l will never
be offended" His failure doubtless
revealed To him his weakness. and
was used OF God In bringing him to
n better mind. by such testIngs we
learn our own helplessness and arc
driven To the strong one for strength.
I'm his eplstle, Peter emphasizes the
value OF meekness and godly fear.
mo Business With the Fiunkies."
Another secret of Peters failure IL
found In the society he kept. lie had
followed his Lord afar of, and when
ne came into the palace, sat down
with the high priests servants. As
nm old Scotch woman said, "hc had
no business with the ilunkies." IL iS
| difficult 10 maintain Christian pro-
! fesslon even when we must be among
| the ungodly, but there is great dan
! panlons.
Again, the element OF surprise has
! 10 be reckoned with. Peter would have
been brave In the garden I'm open con-
! fllct with Christs enemies, but he did
not expect 10 be assallcd rs he sat
by the fire that night. Earnest Chris
| tians learn 10 dread temptations which
! approach with the stealth OF ger
! pent. The writer recalls the occasion
when he first saw sensitive plant"
and remembers his surprise when its
! leaves wlthercd at the approach OF
| his hand. If we are 10 escape better
than Peter did, our souls must be SO
tender that the very approach Of temp
tatlon will cause them 10 shrink In
| dread and hide themselves In Christ.
Yet this man was restored even af-
ter such a failure. There were four
steps in his restoration.
Steps Back TO Christ
First, there was the look OF Christ.
After the Growing OF the cock. we are
| told the Lord turned and looked upon
Peter. Whnt "a look OF wounded love
thnt must have beenl Yet we should
not forget that the same sad. pierc-
ing gaze IL turned upon us when we
grieve Christ.
Secondly. the Lord sent a special
message to Peter on the morning OF
the resurrection MARK 16:7).
Thirdly, he had a private Interview
with this apostle on the day he arose
Uuke 24:34; I Cor. 10: -.
Finally, when he appeared TO the
seven on the shore of the Sea Of Call
lee, he reinstated Peter most fully.
The story is told In John II, and IL
worthy Of careful perusal. Three
times the Lord asked him if he loved
him. and the apostle had thrice denied.
30 he was allowed 90 confess him three
times. Poor Peter might have thought
he would never again be intrusted
with responsibility. but three times
the Lord bnde him feed his flock. As
climax. this man who had said he
would follow Christ To death, but had
failed so shamefully, was told he
would. after all, have the privilege OF
dying for his Lord. What comfort
here for the backslIderl With what
new meaning may We sing, "He re-
storeth my soul" -