Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-01
BY REV. HUGH t. STEVENSON,

We are to consider for the opening
quarter of the years lessons series
that has been chosen so that we may
discover, through a study of the teach
ings of Jesus and His apostles, the
Christian way of living in our day"
This series of practical topical studies
has been selected to meet the need of
many who can sum up the doctrinal
teachings of the Master, yet appear
to be enveloped in q haze when chal-
lenged to face the problems of organ
lied society with the principles of
Jesus, which we must understand If
we are to follow Him in the way of
life and adjust our life in accordance
with the Lords spiritual and social
convictions.
All the world is challenging Chris
tianIty and Christians to guide them
into the path of peace. There is q
general recognition that the only way
to preserve civilization calls for the
adjustment of the lives of men and
nations to the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus. Men are convinced that
every man must decide the way his
soul shall go and that if they accept
Christ and carry out His teachings a
new day can be ushered in by the fol-
lowers of the Lord. The times demand
that every professor of Christianity
shall demonstrate his faith by carry
ing into everyday life the ideals of
Jesus Christ. While historians have
recognized that the birth of the Babe
so unosteptatiously in Bethlehem's
manger was the greatest event in
human history by dating all other
events in connection with the Lord 8
advent. the Master made this possible
by calling men to enter His service.
Called to Service.
Our Lords ministry had gripped
the men of Galflee. Luke points out
how the multitude had followed Him
and He was compelled to borrow a
boat for a pulpit. He repaid the own
erS for it's use by directing them to
a great school of fish. This was pre-
liminary to their being invited to en-
ter His service. He had met Andrew
and Peter, James and John early in
His ministry. They had announced
their faith in Him as the Messiah. He
had seen more Of them after moving
His headquarters to Capernaum in His
meetings in the synagogue and along
the seaside, where He saw them fish
ing. These rough fishermen had open
minds. unspoiled by philosophy and
conceit, SO Athat they had accepted
Jesus. They had demonstrated that
they were Woodworking, energetic
patient men, and no idlers or
Missionaries. Two of them were cast
ing their nets and the other two were
mending their nets. Levi was prob
ably collecting taxes at his booth near
the seashore. where the petty taxes
for fish could be laid and collected.
Doubtless he had shared in the public
discussions that Jesus conducted in
His teaching. These five We're en-
gagged at their work when the Master
called them to enter His service.
When Christ seeks men for His work
He always finds them doing their daily
tasks faithfully.
Jesus called them individually and
personally to follow Him. His COM
mand to these five believers to become
disciples, matriculate in His school,
was given in such a manner that they
were impressed with the idea that the
Master felt that He was asking them
to prepare Tor a greater business than
the one that they had been following
1t was a call to an immediate action,
to conflict and loss, that was impera-
tive. They were attracted by the per-
sonality of Jesus. They were con-
scious that He had 1.-The sovereign
right to exercise moral compulsion"
towards them. The seat of authority
in religion had changed from the Old
Testament Scriptures to their Lord,
who spake with such power that they
accepted Christ, not as q definition,
not as a system of doctrine, but His
very self as the divine authority to
direct and control their life, labor and
love. The four straightway followed
Him in response to His command. 1t
was a costly proposition for them, as
r <1xri hof
under his new name of Matthew, to
Immediately leave their business and
enroll in His school.
Following Jesus.
In response to the Lords command
the five courageously left their old
business to follow Him. Four of
them, as a result of this decision, are
reported by tradition to have died a
violent death because of their loyalty
to Christ. Christian life starts with
a breaking with debasing and destruc-
tive habits. The important thing in
their following Jesus is not what they
left, but the fellowship they were
called to enter. They were sum-
moned to enter into q personal re-
into an allegiance to Jesus
as their Master, and to change not
only the spirit but also the task of
Lnen daily lie. w nen one Is con-
WINGED of their personal sin and finds |
in the Lord personal Saviour, their |
conversion proves itself by a two |
fold change, due to their love and |
obedience of Christ's commands, in |
character and conduct.
Religious emotion has on enormous
motive force, but unless it is the prod |
uct of the indwelling in the Christ, |
it will siZZle away in high professions |
and wordy prayers. This substitute |
for real religion is injurious to the
Kingdom of God among men. When |
one is moved by the love of Christ |
to initiate Him in service they will be !
inspired to meet the needs of men. |
The five followed the Lord in His min |
istry of love that touched the hearts |
of men. They saw Him in the |
crowded synagogue preaching the |
good news of Things-As- God s Love- |
Will-Have-Them. They saw Him In |
the thronging streets, surrounded by |
the longtime sick with their tired |
eyes, the palsied with their trem- |
bling limbs. the shriexing demoniacs
with their disordered minds, the |
anxious fathers and mothers bringing |
their little children whose faces were i
old with pain. They |
saw Him move among the troubled |
people, 4 quiet Praying Soul. They |
saw the divine currents of health and
strength flowing from God through
4 Ht 81 i