The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-04-09
LESSON
IN TRUST IS TOLD
IN THIS STUDY
GiIroy Compares Life to
a Voyage at
Sea.
The International Uniform Sunday
School Lesson for April 10: Peters
Lesson i'm Trust.-Matt. 1929.
BY VIM. z. GilrOy, ID. ID.
Editor OF The Congregationalist

Editor OF The Congregationalist
The comparison of life to a voy-
age at sea is one that has been wide
ly developed in the history of human
thought and literature. Probably
there is no more apt comparison, in
the mysteriousness of life's begin
ming and the righteousness Of its
goal, with all the incidents of calm
and quietude, of storm and danger,
Of sunshine and gloom.
Life is essentially like the voy.
age of a mysterious ship on sea
of change and mystery. The figure
changes and is capable of many vari-
atoms, but in its deeper elements it
is always the same.
1t is this figure of life that i'm
parts meaning and inspiration to our
lesson. 1t is the story of miracul-
Gus circumstance, of how Jesus came
walking on the waves to the dis
ciples as they were terror.stricken in
the midst of the storm on the Sea of
Galilee, and how with his quiet
words. BE of good cheer, it is I, be
not afraid" he Gained all their fears
and strengthened their faith.
II is the story Of Peter. who, in
his impulsiveness, had ventured to
meet Jesus upon the sea, but who
cried in CONSERVATION as he began
to sink, Lord, save me, 1 perish"
It is the story of Christs reaching
forth and lifting Peter safely into
the boat, and of Peters impulsive
confession, "Of truth thou art the
Son of God"
1t is, I repeat, the story Of a mir
acle, and as such we cannot under
stand or explain 1t. If we could, it
would not be e. miracle. But when
we come to its teaching whatever
meaning it has for our souls is found
in its suggestiveness and in its il
lustration Of that woodworking
power of Christ which is witnessed
in the souls of men today.
The words Of Jesus, BE OF good
cheer, it is I, be not afraid" have
not been effectual only for the still.
ing of a material storm for a few
disciples beset with danger on an
ancient sea. In the storm and stress
of life Jesus has again and again
brought this comfort to fear.stricken
and discouraged souls. ITO an in
Vulnerable company Of those who
have found him he has been the
Savior bringing peace and safety.
The experience Of Peter is one
that at some time comes to every
man whose life is lived beyond the
safety of the shadows and the ar
tiicial calm of the inclosed harbor
Those for whom life induces no adj
venture, whose only thought is to
be safe, and who never thrust out
into the deeps of experience. may
never feel the need of a steadying
and supporting hand, but the more
fully and the more dangerously one
lives, in the quest of the things that
are truly worth while, and in the
performance of the services that
can be rendered only through sacri-
flee and danger, the more a man
feels, at times, his weakness and his
complete insufficienoy, the more he
is moved to cry to some great power,
Lord, save me; perish
Help for All Men
1t Is to such men that Christ
comes with His help and salvation
even as He came to Peter.
We may not see. as these dis
ciples, the Lord Jesus come walk
ing upon the sea; our faith may
never rest upon any observance OF
a departure from physical law, but
it is not upon the temporary over
coming of the law of gravitation,
but upon the constant power of the
uplifting and sustaining presence Of
Christ that we depend for the
greatest of all miracles--the quick
ening Of the soul into life and vigor
when all seems failing and falling
around us.
To hear Christ's words, BE of
good cheer, it is I, be not afraid"
is to find peace and calm and in
spiration in the storms of life. To
feel the touch Of Christ's hand and
the uplifting power Of His strong
right arm is to know in deed and
in truth that God has made His
presence and His power known to
men.
1t is the experience of Christ that
the soul cries, as Peter cried in his
moment of safety, "Of truth thou