Norwich bulletin., 1916-04-07
LENTEN SERMON AT ST. andrews
Rev. R. r. Graham Says Mental Picture We Form of the
Saviour the Good Shepherd is a Composite One
Archdeacon J. Eldred Brown Assisted in the Service

It is perhaps true that there Is a
special need at the present time to
insist on the individual message of the
gospel. said Rev. Richard r. Graham,
rector of Christ Episcopal church, in
his sermon as he spoke at the united
Lenten service held in ST. Andrew s
church Thursday evening.
Archdeacon ]. Eldred Brown, rector
of Trinity Episcopal church, and Rev.
F. Johns Bohanan. rector of st. An
drew's church. assisted in the service.
The mems choir of st. Andrews
church led in the singing.
Rev. Mr.. Graham took his text from
John 10: IL. l am the Good Shepherd.
Our Lords description of Himself
as the Good Shepherd evidently made
a profound impression on his early fol-
lowers, said Rev. Mr.. Graham, and the
church in all subsequent ages has loved
to picture the Saviour under this most
striking symbol When Christ thus
spoke of himself he was in truth claim
ing a divine position, for God was the
Shepherd of Israel who led His people
in the green pastures, and beside the
water of comfort; and clearly the shep-
herd is superior to and different from
his sheep.
But it is not of this difference. this
superiority, we think wnen we picture
Christ as the Good Shepherd, but
rather of the love, the watchfulness,
the care, the sympathy, the title sug-
gests.
A little consideration will make it
clear that the mental picture we form
of the Saviour is the Good Shepherd
is composite one, drawn from differ
ent sources.
On the other hand, the figure of the
Good Shepherd as presented to us by
our Lords word as given by St. John
is shown in his attitude towards the
entire flock In tho HE If 10 a
least suggested that the shepherd is
willing to risk his life for the single
sheep; in the description he is repre-
scented as not alone risking but actual
ly laying down his life for the flock as
a whole.
1t is indeed evident that this care for
and guardianship of the flock as a
whole is the result of his care for the
individual-he Calleth them all by
name. and it is because he knows them
and they know him individually that
he knows them and they know him in
dividually that he is able to lead them
out.
Bishop Acheson in all his mission adj
dresses laid great and most helpful
stress on the thought of the individual
relationship that exists between US and
God our Father.
And surely nothing can be more i'm
portant and vital. The power, the
glory of the gospel of Christ has al
ways lain largely in the fact that II
has had this individual appeal Herein
iE some measure at least. lies the Sc
cret of the attractivenessness of Jesus
Himself. AS we read the record Of
his words and actions we feel the
boundlessness of his love, we see thai
his heart is in sympathy with the uni.
versaI heart of mankind but never
does the extent the universally of thi.
love cause the individual to be forgot.
ten.
And it is perhaps true that there /:
a special need at the present time Il
insist on the individual message of the
gospel. Where there is so much said
of the social message of the gospel
where the salvation Christ came Il