The Republican., 1925-06-04

this transfer and was in mood that
God could meet.
Both men were at prayer when the
vision came. Peter had climbed to
the roof for the noon hour devotions.
Cornelius had reached that of the ev-
ening sacrifice and in the clear atmos-
phere of worship, in the high hour of
the soul silence, their messages were
heard. Mark the great experiences of
Jesus and note that they arrived "as
He was praying" Isaiah had gone up
to the temple when his eyes cleared
to see the Lord. How is it that many
of our fine young preachers received
their commission at Mountain Lake
Institute? How is it that the whole
modern movement for world conquest
was born under a naystack where
some college youngsters were pray
ing? Where was Wesley's heart
"warmed?" In every case they were
''in the way (of vision) and the Lord
met them"
THE CONTENT OF THE VISION.
"He (the Spirit shall bring all
things to your remembrance" was the
promise Of Jesus. Something already
stored in the mind was to receive a
new arrangement or a new illumina-
ton. Out Of old materials a new
vision or life was to be constructed.
Simons meals were fine, but was
there peril in their taking? Peter
was hungry, so there was food. He
was sailor and ships were passing
in all directions in the harbor at
which he was looking, and it may be
that the battlements of the roof al
lowed him to see only the wind-swol-
len sheet against the sky. Suddenly
there was a new linking of all things
together and the thrice repeated COM
mand may have brought before him
the scene beside Galilee with its three
commands to "feed my sheep" and a
loved face leaped into his mind so
that he was athrill again with de-
voted love that would dare anything
IN order that he might obey. The
elements were all old, the step de-
! manded by them was entirely new.
With the soldier there was evidently
some lack in the fulness of satisfac
tion in his adopted faith. 1t was his
business to know of what was going
on in his district and sailors had been
telling Of the marvel of Dorcas being
restored to life while they were in
Joppa. And Philip was in Ceasarea,
and the story of the Christ would be-
gin to come to the desk of this man
| whose business it was to understand
the situation among the Jews. Hav-
ing set out on a voyage of religious
discovery he would pass no island of
delight with such inviting harbor.
With the soldiers sense of duty he
stayed at his job and waited for the
arrlvel of Peter. But he prepared the
way for others to hear the message
with himself, so that there was a
whole company eagerly expectant for
| the word
THE RESULT OF THE VISION.
The obedience of both men is ad-
mirable in its promptness and no Wis
ION is worth the seeing unless it is
translated into action. 1t is not meant
for personal enjoyment and private
ecstacy is poor exchange for Christlv
service. But Peter was mighty care
full to provide witnesses, for he evi-
IDENTIFY knew his crowd. And the mar
rowness of the Jew had to thrust it.
self upon the notice of the courteous
patrician as he apologized for his
coming. He must have been talking
for the six Hebrews with him. But
when he got on his favorite theme
Jesus, there was nothing lacking and
before he was half finished the evil
dences of His presence among these
outsiders was too clear to be dis
puted and they were baptized with
great joy. But in Jerusalem there was
great gloom. The news of such out
rageous action speedily reached the
city and church trial was immedi-
ately ordered and Peter was roundly
questioned by the pillars. The charge
was that he had broken caste and had
eaten with the uncircumsized Cen
tiles. Some folks remember the fu-
rore when President Roosevelt sat at