The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1919-10-23

away from shore and soon they were
facing storm thai taxed their skill and
strength to keep the bcal from filing.
But doggedly they rowed on. There
may have been something of the feel
ing that they knew there was trouble
ahead on the Lake but He would send
them out in it and they were sore in
spirit as well 90 body as they 70 wed.
They had objected to the cross and had
urged the crown; would not the same
thing appear there also and they be
proven right again. But they would
obey orders; let Him learn for Himself.
His judgment was at fault and they
rather relished the storm until it grew
heavier than they wished ard fear be-
gan to tug at their hearts as they row.
ed and toiled at it. Now the picture of
another storm began 20 appear and
they bee an to wish for the word of
plwer that had sti.led the waves once
before. Prayer probably woke in the
boat also as upon the shore and sudden
l. 'hru spun d mist walked form.
They "shrehel" in desperate fear.
Then voice called. Have couragel |
am. Don't be frightened" When they
had reached the End Of their resources
and were willing to accept deliverance
from His hands He came to them over
fha VOW, fnroae @bot tbroo4aonJ 70 ~,
gulf them. To have come earlier would
have only widened the breach between
them and Himself and would have left
them trusting in their own judgment
instead of His. If they were ever to
accomplish their task of world conquest
they could only do it with utter de-
pendance upon Himself.
THE TEST OF THE MAN.
Peters reaction was swift and char
acteristic. He must show this Master
that there was development going on
within him and the cowardlce that had
been the bane of his life was being re-
placed by courage that dared the great
est thing for Him. IBID me come and
I'll show you what can do!'' He must
have been in blue funk to react so far
but Christ said. Come" Swiftly he
slipped over the side and stepped out
toward his Lord. He did walk. He was
doing something wonderful and his
head grew so heavy that his feet be-
gan to sink. All his confidence blew
away in the blast and since his trust
had been more in himself than his Lord
there was nothing left. Christ reached
out ready hand and lifted him into the
| boat rebuking his lack of faith in Him,
not blaming him for attempting an
unusual thing. 1t was as tho He said,
You might have done it, Simon, if you
had trusted Me instead of your own
power. And you will become steady as
a rock yet. Go on and grow!'
THE TEST OF Me.
Every man from Christ to me must
| face the testing time for trust. He
calls to some duty tina. involves a cross
and the storm smites across ore's face
in carrying out the order Shall we
trust in the Giver of the order or in cur
own judgment? Christ might have
turned from the Fathers way and es-
capped the cross and have been ranked
with Caesar, Napoleon and Hindenburg
but the world would have had no Saw
our. The disciples might have turned
toward shore and missed the storm but
they would have missed the Christ also;
and the cause would have gone down in
wreckage while the church would not
have been possible. Peter might have
stayed in the boat but he would have
lost the clasp of saving power that he
won on the sea. There is a common
element in all these experiences. There
was duty given, opposition reused,
PRAYER offered and power gained in
answer to it and this is the road for me
also. Only in the steady continuance in
the direction given, in trust of the Mas
| ter's guidance, can one hope for the
coming of the Lord of storms to ones
side when the case seems hopeless. But
He watches waiting our readiness.