Evening journal., 1916-01-14

John Niii:17-~If Ye Know These
Things, Happy Are ie Ii Ye Do
rhem.r
There is. in many quarters, an un-
reasonable limitation of the meaning
OF the words minister and min
istry.' which is unwarranted either
IN scripture or experience Jesus
chose His Apostles from every walk
Of life. and many of them un-
doubtedly pursued their usual voca-
ton after their call TO the ministry.
This great variety Of trades, occupa-
tions and pursuits in the company OF
disciples. tended to strengthen rath-
er than weaken their effectiveness.
There has been an interesting evolu-
tion in the names by which the leader
81 the work in the church has been
designed. Formerly the preacher was
know as the parson That is, he was
the person." he was the one person
Of unusual educational attainments
IN the community.
AS education has become more
Widespread, many others now rank
upon an equal plane of culture win
the preacher Now he is known by
the name Of pastor" that is the
Shepherd Of the flock. or by the word
minister" UnQuestianably this
change in title has been for the bet
ter. and more clearly represents the
method and spirit of our Master.
YET my first thought of the after
noon is this There ought to be just
as many ministers in the church ms
there are members. One man is the
preacher. the director, the general
who outlines the program and by his
special knowledge and training and
experience gives direction to the en-
tire company. Yet, when one becomes
q member OF the church, il ought to
b clearly understood 10y him that he
is going there not only for help, but
for holpiulness.
Lot Us keep these thoughts in mem
ory as we consider the ministry OF
Jesus. as described i'm this thirteenth
chapter of Johns gospel. IL is Inn
tortant that we set clearly IN. mind
ihe setting OF this scene. It was al
tho time of the Passover feast I'm Jeru'
salem. the Fourth Of July Of the jew
ish nation. Three million people as.
sembled from all directions and con-
ditions. IN the time of Jesus, unfor-
tunately the occasion had lost much
OF It's spiritual meaning This gath
cring was more of the nature Of @
patriotic festival and national cele.
bration-a veritable vanity fair. II
was used as an occasion for the dis.
play OF wealth.. position and gala at
tire The people had come TO lOol
forward 90 this gathering as a tim,
Tor merriment and pleasure. for socia
events. for matchmaking and for Wis
iting. II was also a time for political
r'ire-pulling. when factions anC
parties formed their pIans and dis
cussed men and methods.
This special feast had been marked
by two events of more than ordinar,
Significance There had been mucl
strife among the disciples as TO wh'
should be regarded as the most i'm
portant member OF the company. Eacl
one presented his claims for that dis
fincuon and none was willing TO aC
cede the leadership to any othel
Judas had already been plotting wit
the enemies OF Christ 20 deliver Hin
into their hands although ne had NJ
yet entirely broken Off his relation
ship with Jesus and the other men
hers OF the band OF Apostles. Jesu
was undoubtedly aware of his cor
kpiracy and the steps he had take
20 bring about His betrayal and deatl
This strife between the disciples 10
precedence had doubtless bee
brought to a crisis by the selection q