Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 168, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1917 — “GO TELL PETER" [ARTICLE]

“GO TELL PETER"

The Lesson of Hope and Cheer to the Faint-Hearted Christian. “Go your way. tell bls disciples and Peter.’’—Mark 16:7. The focus of our thought is In those two words: “and Peter.” The last time he had seen Jesus was In the judgment hall, where’ he had thrice denied him. His best friend, whom he had so shamelessly renounced, was now dead I He said therefore, “I go a-fishlng." Why not? The foundations of his faith had vanished into thin air. Why should he not return to his boats and nets? What better was there to live for? But as he journeyed toward the lake, he was overtaken by certain women, who said, “We went to Joseph’s garden early this morning to anoint the body of Jesus, and 10, the sepulcher was empty! And an angel standing by said, ‘Go tell the disciples and Peter that he is not here. He is risen and goeth before you into Galilee.’ ” At these words the heart of the disconsolate man leaped up within him. “Did he make such special mention of me? f Are you sure he said ‘and Peter?’ ” On being certified that he had heard aright, he turned back and ran with flying feet to make assurance doubly sure. For if this were true, it could only mean that Christ had forgiven all 1 For Falnt-Hoarted Christians.

The lesson is for faint-hearted Christians just now, We are living in “a grand and awful time.” But the war clouds are no blacker than the night that enveloped the disciples after the tragedy of the cross. In view of passing events not a few are saying, “My faith fails me! How could a gracious God penqlt these things to be?” Has the Lord forgotten to be gracious? We hoped that it was he that should deliver Israel; and, behold the lurid skies 1” He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh! Be it known by these presents that our God is a great God, who holds the cyclones in his fist. He maketh even the wrath of men to praise him! The Lord our God Is clothed with might.. The winds obey his will;He speaks and, in the heavenly height. The rolling sun stands still'. The keys of death and hell are at his girdle. By the power of his resurrection he speaks, as once he spoke out of the whirlwind. “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Be still and know that I am God!” The Resurrection Hope. A friend of Peter’s, writing on the resurrection 20 years later, made this conclusion: “If Christ be not risen we are of all men most miserable; our faith is vain and ye are yet in your sins. But now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept! Wherefore, my beIpved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in tfie work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Oh morning of the resurrection, break upon our souls, tod often overwhelmed by sordid doubts and fears! Dawn upon the universal church, that rt may go forth conquering and to conquer in the name of the risen Christ I Shine into the trystlng places where we make our feeble prayers, and give us faith to realize that he ever liveth to make intercession for us! Shine into our night -of sorrow, that, looking from the darkness of an open grave to the glory of the open heavens, we may praise him In whom. life and immortality are brought to light!—Bev. David James Burrell, D. D„ LL. D.