Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-11-07

ldu Illeue IllllSelI IL name anu d
place in the world. The reply of the
natives was amusing and revealing.
They wanted me, the stranger, clear
ly to understand that Charley was
no better than any of the rest of
them While they did not exactly
dispraise him, they took the familiar
attitude that since he had grown up
with them as boys, therefore he
could not be anybody in particular!
which is quite the way of old ac-
quaintances: to have known them
intimately is a bar to distinction!
Some score of million of persons
are studying in the present lesson
about an entirely different type of
man. Peter had eyes that saw
through to essentials. The theme of
this study could well be, Eyes and
no eyes," The big crowd was in
terested in Jesus, the wonder-work-
er, and they were trying to place
Him. All their measurements fel!
short as developed in the cabinet
meeting which Jesus held with his
assistants, a meeting wherein he
kept in touch with public opinion.
1t was Peter, he of the ready tongue
and the daring imagination, who
had the vision to penetrate clear
through to the truth.
An Old Story Retold
The familiar incident is related III
unfamiliar phrase in the Weymouth
translation:
"When He arrived in the neighbor-
hood of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus
questioned His disciples.
Who do people say that the Son
of Man is?' He asked.
Some say John the Baptist they
replied; Others Elijah; others Jere-
miah or one of the Prophets
But you, who do you say that
amp He asked again.
YOU replied Simon Peter, are
the Christ, the Son of the everything
God
Blessed are you Simon Bar
JONAH said Jesus; for mere human
nature has not revealed this to you.
but my Father in Heaven. And
declare to you that you are Peter,
and that upon this Rock I will build
my Church, and the might of Hadcs
shall not triumph over it. I will
give you the keys of the Kingdom
of the Heavens; and whatever you
bind on earth shall remain loosed in
Heaven
Then he urged his disciples to tell
no one that he was the Christ
From this time Jesus began to ex-
plain to his disciples that He must
cruelty from the elders and high
priests and the scribes, and be put
to death, and on the third day be
raised to life again. Then Peter
took Him aside and began taking
Him to task.
Master he said, God forbid; this
will not be your lot"
But He turned and said to Peter
Get behind me, Adversary; you
l.; fn haPDIlSl VDllr
thoughts are not Gods thoughts, but
mems.
Then Jesus said to His disciples,
If anyone desires to follow me,
let him renounce self and take up
his cross, and so be my follower
Eyes For the Times
Contemporary recognition of un-
conventional greatness is rare. only
the flash of genius can perceive gen.
ius The reason no man is q hero TO
his valet, it has been said, is be-
cause the valet is no hero. Like the
Germs like. 1t is the good who sec
goodness, the noble who praise no
bility. ContrariwiSe, ito the impure
all things are impure"
Recently l heard a Congressman
who is noted for his wealth and So
cial position, il not for his brains
or character, in the presence OF u
large company of men, tell story
about u woman III public life which
branded the speaker as an evil
minded creature unfit to associate
with decent people. Our judgments
iudge u.s. What we think of others
is the clearest revelation of what we
are. Peter was a man of mercurlal
temperament but we recognize him
at his best when he recognized the
real character of his Leader. That
was the Peter to remember. Philips
Brooks said, Count your highest
moments your truest."
Anybody can see the obvious; so
it is no merit to us to proclaim the
perils and the unrest and the wide
spread sag of life in this our day.
A need of the times is for men and
women who have eyes to penetrate
to the greatness and glory of what
lies beneath the surface of the pres
ent tumult. A dunard in Israel could
behold the encircling Syrian hosts
it took prophetic vision to glimpse
the heavenly horsemen and chariots
which filled the skies. Only spirit
ually quickened eyes are alert to see
God within the shadow,
Keeping watch above his own"
The Vision of the Best
On the lowest plane of ordinary
experience, it is rare and priceless
gift to have a vision trained to see
only the best In q workday world,
where suspicion and distrust are
rife, the people who perceive the
good rather than the evil are gift
of God to their associates. They are
the hearteners, the encouragers, the
inspirers. Because of them their fell
lows keep up heart, and work more
joyously. These optimists, with see
ing eyes, who are in the real apos-
tolic succession to Peter, make other
people as happy as Peters avowal
made Jesus.
Let no one think that the lonely
Man of Sorrows did not feel a glow
at His heart when He heard His
disciples recognition leap forth so
unreservedly. The lavish tribute
Jesus paid Peter is evidence enough
of this.
Once a woman said to the marine
painter Turner, "Mr. Turner, I
don't see in the sea those wonderful
lights and shadows you put into
your pictures"
Don't you wish you could,
madam" was the artists instant re-
ply.
There. were many up In the re-
gions of Caesarea Jhilippi who could
not see the significance of Jesus.
Nearer home, there arc many to-day
who hold In Him only wise teach
er, a perfect man, q helper of his
fellows, They offer him n niche