Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-03-10
BY Rev. H. T. Stevenson.

! Bread has been throughout the CEN
| turtles an important factor in determin-
| ing the destiny of men and nations.
| The cry of the populace for bread
| marked the commencement of the
French revolution and in recent years
has played a prominent part in the
recruiting of the armies that have over
run Mexico. The bread ticket has been
source of strength to the warstricken
nations of Europe. 1t has preserved
the loyalty of the ma ses by providing
for all alike and eliminating waste,
which were two elements seen last
week in the Masters methods of feed
ing the 5000 who followed him into
the desert places. where a lad with two
loaves and five fishes had a corner in
the food supply. 1t contains lesson
for America in the hour when the
masses of the great cities clamor for
food and their hunger incites them to
riot.
Christ's miraculous ability to increase
the food supply turned the thought of
the masses and their leaders toward
making him king. because of His
power to supply the multitude and sus-
tain an army. which. according to an
eminent military authority. always
travels on its stomach. Munitions and
men are of no value if the quarter
masters service is unable to supply the
daily bread to the men at the front
Disappointed at not finding Jesus at
the place where he had fed them the
previous day, the multitude got into the
boats from Liberals, which had put in
during the night account of the
storm. and went TO Capernaum. seek
ing Jesus. No person. who has ever
truly sought Him ever failed to find
Christ, They found Him in the syna-
eogue of Capernaum. Embarrassed by
their success and feeling that they
might have spared themselves the dis
comforts of absence from home all
night, they tried to conceal their poll
teal program by asking Him trivial
question to satisfy their curiosity to
how He had crossed the lake.
Jesus had way of exposing the false
motives of men, SO instead of answer
ing their question he utilized the OPP
portunity it presented for Him to
preach a sermon that would correct
their Interpretation of the miracle
wrought for the relief of the multitude.
The sermon could easily be separated
into four dialogues. although its unity
of thought justifies calling it one dis
course. Each of the dialogues or divi-
sions grew out of the attitude of the
congregation. The first part, being this
weeks lesson. was due to the question
asked the Master after He had rebuked
them for their political and material
istc motives by pointing out how they
ought to seek first eternal life. He did
not claim that they were hypocrits. but
rather that they were men who saw
only the outward form of His miracles,
and who had missed the spiritual les
son that each of His miracles taught.
Jesus was seeking to impress upon
them the value of spiritual service
Back of each one of Christ's miracles.
although by their grace and love they
ministered unto some pressing human
need there was a spiritual motive that
inspired the Masters efforts. Because
He was moved by ideals superior to
those of political or monetary stand
ards the words and works of Jesus
have been influencing all mankind,
while if He had been swayed from His
path of duty to accept the crown that
the multitude was eager to place upon
His head that day He could only have
nodded His own nations life.
The unity that exists between faith
and works is seen in the life and labor
that is inspired by the living relations
with and trusting. humble confidence
in Christ as the One whom God hath
sent Outward actions flow from the
hidden spiritual relationship with the
Lord The source of the modern philan-
thropic reform and social service seen
in the worlds broad field of action can