for this is the true translation of the original, instead of just the one word "net"-that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind; that is, good and bad fishes. The kingdom of God here may be represented by the preached gospel; for this is the instrument with which we catch men, and that is cast into the sea, or the communion of sin, vice, and all manner of error. And the gospel is to be preached to all, the good and the bad; and it will be found to draw upon all, even as Jesus said, "And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me." But while the gospel will influence all and gather in many truly converted and many not, but only such as say, Lord, Lord, it will only save those who do the will of God. And when it shall have been preached to every creature and made its final round, then it shall, with its fish (souls) of all kinds, be drawn to shore. And the angel reapers shall descend and thrust in their sickles, and separate the good and the bad, and place the good in vessels of reservation, and cast out the wicked into a lake of burning and unquenchable fire, where shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Thus ends the parabolic language of the-we might say-seabeach. We have Jesus's own words why he spoke in this manner; and now we dismiss the subject, and pass on to another. SECTION A.-THE THREE FOLLOWERS. Matt. viii, 18-22; Luke ix, 57-62. Jesus is still on the plain of Gennesaret, where he was speaking the parables; and it is still the fall of the year. However, he is now on the border of leaving this spot, and three interesting and noticeable characters come to him and make propositions of discipleship, but with reservation. Luke alone, however, gives three, and Matthew two; therefore we shall go with Luke. Luke says, as they were going, the scribe as Matthew calls Luke's "certain" man-said, "Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest." This proposition is an application for discipleship. The scribe only speaks from first impulses. He has not counted up the cost of what it takes to make Christian disciples. He says, "I will follow thee anywhere," but does not seem to realize that something more is required than mere following and professing Christ. Therefore Jesus calls his attention, in an indirect manner, to the duties and especially to the hardships of those who will become his followers. He says, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head." But what could Jesus really mean by this language? Could he mean that there was really no place at all where he could lay his head for a night? Certainly, when it comes to earthly possession of homestead and its comforts, Jesus really meant that he had no place; for he who was rich became so poor that he was a wayfaring man. Not in Nazareth, nor Capernaum, did he own a home and its comforts. But Jesus did not only mean here to advertise his poverty, but to teach a lesson; namely, that, to become a disciple often requires deprivations of even the most necessary comforts; yet we must not go around them, if Jesus lead through them, but must follow. But the second follower said, when Jesus bade him to come, "Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father." Jesus said unto him, "Let the dead bury their dead; but go thou and preach the kingdom of God." Now it is to be observed that this man was called to the discipleship, while the first proposed himself to follow Jesus. This man made some hesitation, yet, from what Jesus commanded him, it seems that he went into the ministry. We can see here, then, the drawing of the Spirit-deliberation and obedience in the one, and spontaneous impulse in the otherwhich seems to amount to nothing after all. It is wis dom to count up the cost in religion, as well as in war; for the way to God is not strewn with flowers and velvety downs. Again, we notice that this man had parental love and regard. He wanted to remain with and nurture his father till his death, and asked this much. But Jesus assured him that the work of saving sinners was more important than staying around his aged parents to care for them. Jesus did not, by any means, call upon him to forsake any duty to them; but the care of providing necessities for them could be carried on by him in his ministerial duties. Moreover, there were other children, probably, and neighbors, who did not care for the salvation of men, and were dead to all such Christian love and labor; and they could look after the decrepitude of the old man. Let them see him to the grave; but "Go thou, and preach the kingdom of God." How important is this language! What a lesson does Jesus here teach! Consider what inestimable value he attaches to the soul. Jesus teaches that the most honorable, even sacred, duties should not stand as barriers against the work of saving men. The work of salvation is imperative, and can not be delayed, else thousands will daily fall into hell. "Rescue the perishing, care for the dying, Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave; The third follower said, "Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go and bid them farewell which are at my house." Jesus said unto him, "No man having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." We are to observe that Luke only gives us this character. We do not know whether Jesus had called this man especially to be a disciple and minister; for that is not brought out by Luke; yet it does seem that something had been said by our Lord on this line; and the man was considering the matter, and had about made up his mind to follow Jesus, but asked privilege to return home and make a formal parting and closing up of his business, and bidding adieu to his friends and loved ones. This was, indeed, a worthy request, and is not denounced by Jesus; but, as with the second follower, Jesus shows that the immediate work of salvation is more important than any earthly friendship or material possession. Also Jesus called his attention to a great truth well, even now, to be remembered; namely, that a man called into the sacred ministry is only able to do that one work. He can not farm, plead law, practice medicine, do the work of a mechanic, and, with these professions, carry on the ministry; for he is looking back, hence is unfit for the kingdom of God. This would also say that a man can not serve two masters: the Lord Jesus and the devil and Satan; for while he tries to do double service, he makes himself unfit for one and unfit to enjoy the blessedness of the future world. SECTION 14.-JESUS STILLS THE TEMPEST. Matt. viii, 23-27; Mark iv, 35-41; Luke viii, 23-25. The fourteenth move of our Lord Jesus takes him from the plain of Gennesaret, famous for his parabolic discourses, to the other side of the sea. Jesus is through with his discourses of the boat and that of the three whom we chose to call followers; for they were followers of a kind, and, we hope, proved to be a right kind. It is late in the day when Jesus closes, and, the people being dismissed, he decided, with his disciples, to cross to the Gadarene, or east side, of the lake. Jesus doubtless made this attempt to get rest, which was seen to be needed by his soundly sleeping on ship shortly after they started. However anxious Jesus was to get rid of the multitude for rest, there were several other ships following him to hear and witness his words and works. Their start was propitious and under flying colors of the multitude; and their journey was pleasant till one of those common and peculiar tempests swept down upon the waters of old Gennesaret. It was no ordinary tempest, but plentiful and violent; so much so that the waves ran high, and were dashed into the ship till it was filled with water, causing great jeopardy. Against the winds and waves, for a long time, the disciples rowed; but in spite of their efforts they only drifted, were all getting wet, and on the verge of losing, not only their ship, but all their lives; for they were far at sea. They doubtless hated to awake the Master; for he was asleep and the only man quiet and now unalarmed. Every other was frightened out of his wits. So they all gave up to perish; but "No," said the impetuous Peter, "I will go and awake Jesus; for I believe that he who can give sight, raise the dead, cast out devils, and do all we have seen Jesus do, can help us. Then John, James, Andrew, and all the rest, as a last resort, followed the leading one to Jesus now, in the hinder part of the ship, sleeping well on a pillow. They awoke Jesus, doubtless with loud and frightful voices, and asked him, "Master, carest thou not that we perish?" This was to say they had lost all hope, and now depended upon him for safety. This language and their calling upon him with unanimous voices show that they believed he could control the winds or take in hand the ship, and override the billows in safety to the shore. So by their request Jesus rose up and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, "Peace, be still!" This was |