Evening journal., 1916-02-02

John xix: 3S. Joseph Of Arima-
thea and Nicodemus we're no ordinary
men. They were the very highest
type of the Jewish race They had
been chosen members of the national
congress. They were men OF honor
honesty, intelligence and ability.
They were regarded as the very flow
er OF Jewish thought and develop
ment They represent large class
of business and professional men OF the
present day. II is not only worthy or
noting who they were but also what
they had done Nicodemus had come
to Jesus at night. and il was TO him
that Jesus gave one OF the most pro-
found messages that He ever spoke
TO man. "Ye must be born again. It
was in the council chamber that Nico-
demus made a plea in defense OF
Jesus. And we are told that he had
purchased and brought hundred
pounds of costly ointment to the tomb
to anoint and embalm the body oil the
Saviour.
Joseph also was no ordinary man,
for when he went to PLATE and asked
for the body OF Jesus. PLATE granted
him permission to have it. Had he
been a common individual or in fact
any but of the very highest standing
and influence. PLATE would doubtless
have turned a deaf ear to him. But
as it was he treated Joseph with the
utmost respect and courtesy and con-
sideration. Not only did Joseph ask
for the body Of Jesus. but he took It
10 his own sepulchre in his own pri-
vate burial ground and placed II
therein.
Burial places in Jerusalem we're
very scarce and overcrowded and ire
ouently the bodies were sprinkled
over with some decomposing mater
ial such as quick lime, and when the
body had been eaten away the bones
were thrown out, and the grave used
again and again for other bodies.
This. however. was new tomb, In
which no body had ever been buried.
These two men had done valuable
service. for had it not been for them
the body OF Jesus would undoubtedly
have been thrown out over the walls
for the wild beasts to devour, or cast
into the Dit to be consumed by fire
as was customary with the bodies OF
criminals. These two men were
doubtless very well satisfied with
themselves. with what they were and
what they had done.
Had you asked them if they were
Christians they would Immediately
have told you they we're But they
would have added that they we're not
of the class who openly declared their
faith in Christ. John said they were
secret disciples.
We're Too Modest.
Then il you had asked them why
they did not come out openly for
Jesus. they would have excused them
selves on the ground that they were
modest and retiring in their nature
and we're unwilling as they would
have expressed it, to make a public
exhibition Of themselves. They would
have hidden their Christianity under
the cloak OF silence and cowardice
But they were not too modest to ac
cent a public Office. membership il
congress. the highest position within
the gift of the Jewish people.
What would you think of maj
who would refuse to accept a higl
political position because it woul'
necessitate his being brought int
public notice and coming in contac
with the people? I won't work behinC
the counter in a store because there
will have to meet people and welcome
them. nor will ! practice law at tho
bar because there | Will have to come
in contact with the people who fre
uuent the court room and the lawyer
office. nor will | be a physician. To-
then 7 will have to be thrown amonl
strangers and be subject to genera
b attention What would you think o
a young man who wouldn't get mar
. ried because he was too timid ant
modest to stand before the preache
q and acknowledge the girl as his wife
and be afraid that people would con
gratulate him and he would have &
endure the public gaze? But wher
b. there is genuine character. true man
hood and womanhood in the face o
any great need or opportunity an,
natural timidity or hesitancy Is thrus
aside
VIII Wait Awhile.
Some say they will wait awhile an
be secret Christians for time. an
then il they get along all right, the
will come out and he avowed follow
ers Of Christ. II sounds to me lik
utterances in that hook Of Mrs. Hum
phrey Ward. who advocates marriag
as la mode. that is. a young ma
will marry a young lady on 81
months trial. and then II he likes hel
they will get permanently married
Would any respectable woman cor
sent to that?
It is as if a tree had the power O
thought and speech and would sa.